A question about solar panels

[MarkP]

If I get through the day without abusing my batteries too badly I am doing well. I have a generator for back-up so if it has been cloudy I run the generator in the evening while doing laundry, making dinner, etc. Once the generator is on there is no downside to using power at night other than the fuel consumed. With my UPS setup the generator is supplying all power needs and the UPS is slowly charging the batteries. Otherwise, whenever possible I do laundry in the morning, ideally late enough that the batteries are mostly charged and the charge controller has switched to "topping off" mode which means it is limiting the charge going to the batteries and is throwing energy away.

I have a Bosch Nexxt 300 front loading washing machine. It has fancy electronic controls and does not have a high start-up surge so the UPS is fine with it.