"
Cost alone makes solar power prohibitive in most cases. In some cases it is cheaper than paying for electric utilities but not often. A mountain cabin a mile from nearest powerline would be such an example."
That was very well considered and well said. I'm in a situation like that (too far from any power company hookup).
PV solar power can only be competitive with grid power for someone close to the grid in my area (over 300 sun days per year), if he does good research (theory, products, prices, etc.) and installation himself. And a self-install must be inspected and strictly to code (NEC). A self-install can also be dangerous for anyone who lacks safety knowledge or education in electrical/electronics work.
On the other hand, solar radiant heat with a
homebuilt drainback system can be very competitive against the costs of conventional furnace heat in any fairly sunny part of the country, but installation involves quite a bit of study and work (electrical safety and code knowledge probably also required to a lesser degree, and maybe an inspection).
I'm not a greenie by any stretch, but I'm cheap, and a believer in self-sufficiency during these economic/government times for anyone who has enough will to work at it.
PV solar power can only be competitive with grid power for someone close to the grid in my area (over 300 sun days per year), if he does good research (theory, products, prices, etc.) and installation himself. And a self-install must be inspected and strictly to code (NEC). A self-install can also be dangerous for anyone who lacks safety knowledge I would make as many things in the home as non electric as I could. Stove, oven, hot water heater, I would go gas. If you use solar for heating water I would have gas as a back up. I would also get a 4200 watt generator. I have a friend with solar in a fairly remote area. A year or two ago I wired in a 12 volt freezer for him. The solar basically powers lights, freezer, fridge, TV and that's about it. The heat is wood stove the hot water and range is gas. He also has a generator for bad weather or breakdowns.
In East Tennessee anyone using solar alone is going to be in a world of hurt unless they live out in the middle of a field on top of a high ridge. To give you some idea a green Wally World was built nearby using sky lights as the primary lighting for daytime. It's like being in a room with someone flipping the lights off and on.
I have a friend that works in the solar industry in CA. Obviously if you can’t get electrical power in a remote area you have to do something. He said solar on-the-grid only made financial sense in the expensive markets in CA with the current energy prices and state and federal subsidies. You are still breaking even at the end of the life for those solar panels. In areas of California that produce their own power solar is way more expensive.