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This is an area where I think someone could start a pretty good business. I’ve been looking for months for a complete solar power system that would be large enough to power a few small DC lights and a 120 volt “dorm” size refrigerator at a site in southern Alabama (plenty of sun).

I want something I can thrown in the back of my pickup, take to my cabin, and have set up and running inside of a couple hours.

I’m pretty sure that I need about a 500 watt system with two or three 12 volt batteries. I’m also considering using 6-volt batteries instead.

There are really a lot fewer complete systems available out there than I would have expected. And it seems like all of the few companies that do sell “complete” systems have an unrealistic view of how familiar many people are with setting up something like this. A lot of these complete kits are missing pieces that really should be included.

I’ve found about four or five different systems that are close to what I think I need. But I really wish someone had a “brick and mortar” location somewhere around me where I could go and talk to someone who knows this stuff and can offer advice and expertise with the system I buy.

I would think these small, relatively portable systems, would be something that you could buy somewhere like a “Tractor Supply” type company. But I’ve only seen these systems online.