As I see it, for me the reason I have not gone Solar in the U.S. is that just the panels I need to operate my home in a manner that is just a cut above what Mad is always talking about, ie., not wasting even RE, is because solar panels that I need are well over $300 each and I need 20 to meet my needs. $6000 plus shipping??? batteries that cost as much as a single panel if you want a long lasting AGM maybe even more if you want the AH.
China, same number of panels $1600 (see Alibaba.com pretty much anything you need as long as you find a shipping forwarder, no brainer I guess, any question ask because minimums etc look confusing)for a total of 5000w plus shipping plus the 200-300% Tariff. The U.S. is always adding tariffs to keep out the reasonably priced products and then it feels as though the American greed steps in knowing there's no competition. So....I ordered my panels from China but not shipped to the U.S., to my retirement home south of Manila Philippines $1600+$200 shipping and $78 for the very cute and accommodating Customs Broker.
I have not looked at batteries on Alibaba yet but i believe I will be quite pleased. My panels come with a 25 year warranty from a company that has done quite well supplying and installing in Dubai and other rich Arab states. BlueSun has a nice young lady named Anna whi can help out with all your needs and they have in-house engineers who can tailor any system for you if your not sure what your doing.
As far as technology goes I think that the new ideas always take too long to come to fruition or never take off because of the lack of money. Lobbyist may kill the new tech out of berkley uc just to help the big boys stay in business with the old tech.
If I seem bitter, I am. If I need some correcting or anyone feels I'm wrong I welcome discussion because I may learn something and find I was wrong or just find a new perspective. I have learned more in the last few days from people like Oztules and others than I have in the last few years of trying to go solar. if someone on here is patient enough to learn me some new electronics and I can get my head wrapped around it woohoo!
also as a side note: the Philippines does not impose a tariff or customs tax on renewable energy be it solar or electric tricycles like my wifes or electric shuttles, the philippines has lots of incentives and credits. if I can figure out how to pump some back to Meralco the national power campany they will give me credit that I can use later should typhoon season just block the sun for too long.(wind mill anyone?) eBay has some nice 3 phase pm wind mills under $800.
I got my PowerJack inverter with built in solar charger woohoo! Smart generator coming soon.