[Republican in CA]

I think the system they're talking about is not independent. You're still on the grid, just sending electricity to the electric company during the day (which they pay you for). If the power goes out, yours does too.

The independent system is more expensive and takes lots of maintenance (or so the salesman told me five-ten years ago).

[RadioAstronomer]

You're still on the grid, just sending electricity to the electric company during the day (which they pay you for). If the power goes out, yours does too.

Ok. If that is the case, it's a bunch of BS. Thanks for the info.

The independent system is more expensive and takes lots of maintenance (or so the salesman told me five-ten years ago).

Depends on how elaborate you go. I have an AC inverter, a regulator, 4 panels, and a couple of batteries. For a simple trailer, it is enough and easy to maintain. :-)

[SierraWasp]

"You're still on the grid, just sending electricity to the electric company during the day (which they pay you for). If the power goes out, yours does too."

These "Environment California" hucksters are just another batch of crooked salesmen playin fast and loose with the truth!!!

If you folks think Caveat Emptor (let the buyer beware) is important in the private sector... raise that importance by a power of 10 in the "Not For Profit/Public Sector!" (GovernMental and Non-GovernMental Organizations)

Having worked in both, the private sector isn't nearly as full of bovine feces and the public sector!!!

[DugwayDuke]

"I think the system they're talking about is not independent. You're still on the grid, just sending electricity to the electric company during the day (which they pay you for). If the power goes out, yours does too."

So, let me see if I understand this. A CA resident is supposed to buy a solar system that generates power and that power is sent to the grid. In return, the CA power company sells the CA resident back the power. Pretty kewl scheme, you build the power plant and I'll sell you the power from it.