[BiggarView]

Left out of the equations on the economics of solar is the hidden savings. True you'll need a pretty elaborate setup($$$) to run A/C and gennies will work, but they are noisy. But the cost can be recouped fairly quickly depending on your usage. Part of the recouping comes from savings while boondocking... usually zero per diem costs(or close to it) in a boondocking site vs 40 or 50 dollars per night at a FHU CG. (60 days of boondocking a year, just 5 days a month, could save you 2500 to 3000 dollars annually in CG fees alone) Gennies will be lower cost upfront, but cost more as time goes by. Solar is pretty much free after the initial costs depending on what type of batteries you get and the quality of the equipment you buy. Also while in boondocking locations what you typically do costs less than being in FHU CGs with nearby local attractions that can drain your wallet quickly but these are choices you can make so there is some flexibility on your spending patterns. Then there is the reduced cost of fuel and maintenance on a genny(when equipped with solar) plus you can get by with less genny when you are properly solar equipped for your usage requirements. Soft starts for A/Cs cost about 300 dollars to aid in equipment costs that would be required without them.

Sure, a well set up Solar Installation can run you 10K or even more, but you can recover that cost in less than 3 years with a minimum of discipline. Solar is relatively low maintenance and low cost after the install, so once you have saved your initial outlay you also gain the freedom to choose what you want to do when you want to... boondock or FHU or somewhere inbetween... your call. THe choice for solar is more about lifestyle than it is about economics for most people.

One down side is using lithium batteries. They are very expensive and unless you are fulltime, that makes them hard to justify otherwise. Their greatest benefit and one that should matter to all full time RVers is the weight savings. This cannot be understated. When LIFePO4 batteries weigh less than half similarly capable AGM or LA batteries you'll understand the value they truly represent. When full timing CCC is everything, Especially for full time RV applications.

Just my two cents.