On the solar stuff, using electricity from the power grid makes more economic sense for most people. If I were in the suburbs, I probably wouldn’t do it. I’m not fortunate enough to be close to any power company hookup, though (miles away). But installing such a system ourselves, if components are chosen wisely, can keep the cost pretty low. And it deprives local busybodies (investors with incomes from Uncle Samantha) of a resource (debt/revenues) often used to make more trouble (regulations, etc.). If I were in the suburbs, I would do whatever else possible to cut personal energy costs. It’s part of the whole “Galt” thing.