> > Frined of mine with a place out in the Mojave Desert (near 29 Palms) has solar
> > panels & storage batteries on his property out there. Works well for him, but
> > then it's literally 800 sq. ft. and only used on weekends.
> >
>
> I guessing he is off the grid? Usually those battery setups are used for that.
> They are a more of pain since you have to maintain the batteries and replace
> them. My goal is a setup that requires little maintenance.

That is *precisely* what it's used for; he's something like 14 miles from the nearest utility pole. He used deep cycle batteries (Optima Yellowtops, IIRC) which makes it less maintenance-intensive, but yeah, it's still something you have to pay attention to that's not needed for most domestic setups.