Solar Efficiency

[elkhornsun]

The efficiency of the charge controller is also a big factor and a reason they vary in price. The batteries are also limited as to how fast they can recharge so the controller is going to clip the output from the panels to prevent damaging the batteries. This is why a temperature sensor on the battery terminal is used to allow the controller to be a little less conservative in its charging profile, and better controllers allow you to set the battery type in the bank.

[Smitty77]

Lots of variables on what you will see yielded in AH's to and thru your controller to your battery bank. Your AH's yield seems in the appropriate range, possibly a bit on the medium high side of yield. A very broad rule of thumb is 6AH per 100W of SP. Very variable based upon so many combinations (panel heat, wire size, controller efficiency, etc., etc.), so this can easily very + or - 2+AH's.

Another good info source is AM Solar's Solar Education section:

Benefits of Solar Battery Charging and a System Overview

As another general rule of thumb, plan for a good 25% (or more) SP's then you think you will need to support your daily usage. This allows for slight shade, or low angles, or dirty panels, etc. - and still keep you up and going. Three main things to consider if you are not able to install your dream SP system all at one time. This is for future proofing:

1) Roof real estate layout of panels - layout with expansion in mind.

2) Cabling runs at appropriate gauge for future SP addition.

3) Controller with enough room to handle more SP later.

Have fun, be safe,
Smitty