Mixed solar/utility analysis

Without running the numbers for your installation--That has been what I have found over time. Full off grid solar is (in general) more expensive than utility power--Even when you have to pay $20,000 to bring power to your property, you are still closer to the "break even" side vs actually saving money.ii

Some of the "down the road" issues I have read here... If you ever wish/need to sell the property--I suggest that most solar installations (even grid tied systems on urban homes) has near zero value to the buyer--And in some cases, has a negative value (buyer: I don't want those wires and electrical things on my roof).

With utility power to the property--That adds "value" to the property for most buyers. And costs for bring power to remote sites seems to only be going up now (no more Rural Electrification subsidies)--And utilities seem to be reducing their service areas (cutting back on new offerings in remote regions that offer little in the way of "profits"). I guess even in California--There has been (at least one) instance(s) of the utility replacing grid service with off grid solar system (don't know any details).

While utility power/costs are going up, and Grid Tied Solar Power (the cheapest/most reliable/least amount of maintenance) are still cheap--Utilities have been working at reducing subsidies and on network stability--Some states such as Hawaii and Nevada have either made GT solar "illegal" or basically uneconomical (high base monthly charges, high GT related fees/kWH "costs"/low reimbursements).

But costs for solar (especially batteries at the moment) are probably going up in prices pretty quickly too. Li Ion batteries look to be cost effective (longer life, especially in warm to hot climates). And look at what has happened here... Last week I ran across some batteries are 32 weeks out from order--What happens when you need batteries 5-7 years down the road?

Besides the issues of "related costs" (backup genset, fuel, storage of fuel, etc.)... There is the question of when you become a member of the senior citizen class... Will you be able to do your own maintenance, have savings to cover new batteries, new hardware, and such things as "upgrades" required by new regulations?

My starting suggestion is always conservation. It is almost always cheaper to conserve than to generate power.

I don't live in an area that uses much A/C or Heat--So I am not an expert--But lots of insulation, shading against sun (in summer), and windows that let heat in in the winter, using modern mini-split A/C or Heat Pumps are usually more efficient than central air or window A/C units. Modern heat pump systems can even work below freezing for heating (i.e., more efficient than electric resistance heaters).

Using an induction cooktop in the home, reduces heat into the home (summer) that the A/C system has to remove--As does LED Lighting, LED TVs, laptop vs desktop computers, etc.

-Bill