Solar panels and batteries can now last 10 years or more if taken care of correctly. If you try and build a system similar to mine you will not break the bank, and get many years of use out of it. Its worth the money if used properly, if you expect too much out of it, you will always be disappointed. The thing to keep in mind, you need full sun. While you have full sun is when you make your money back from investment. A small system can be a waste of money, you will get almost nothing from it, too big of a system and you will overpay with little gains. Finding the happy medium is key
my system is not the best, but works for me.
4 power queen 100ah lithium
4) 250 watt panels
Epever Tracer8420AN controller
Duracell 3000 watt inverter