Comment Cost of batteries vs Panels (Score 2, Informative) 147
It's odd that you're worried about the cost of batteries but not of the panels. As a point of reference a recent issue of home power, HomePower.com shows 3 100W panels for $1680 while a 105AH battery is only $400.
The solar panels are going to be easily thousands of dollars. By spending some money on batteries you'll be able to do away with a bunch of extra panels which is going to save more in the long run and will allow you to cool in the evening or on a cloudy day to boot. Still the cheapest is going to be all the tricks you can use to reduce the need for AC like shade, swamp coolers and such.
The solar panels are going to be easily thousands of dollars. By spending some money on batteries you'll be able to do away with a bunch of extra panels which is going to save more in the long run and will allow you to cool in the evening or on a cloudy day to boot. Still the cheapest is going to be all the tricks you can use to reduce the need for AC like shade, swamp coolers and such.
