[RightOnTheBorder]

Unless the house/building is disconnected from the grid it can and will draw power from the utility when the sun is not shining. Even if batteries are installed the grid is still there as a backup. The building may use less power but that just makes it’s share of the grid more expensive because the power company cannot recover infrastructure costs through electricity sales. Also, if regulation says that the power utility must buy back electricity at retail rates, those retail rates are in part determined by the cost of maintaining the infrastructure which a solar installation owner does not do.

[familyop]

"Even if batteries are installed the grid is still there as a backup."

Taking money for a service that is offered but refused is extortion--a criminal type of robbery in just about every country on this planet throughout history.

[skeeter]

The homeowner with solar currently pays for any electricity it uses from the grid. It does not pay for electricity from the grid it does not use.

That seems fair to me.

[familyop]

"...those retail rates are in part determined by the cost of maintaining the infrastructure which a solar installation owner does not do."

But the owner is the sole maintainer, when there is no physical connection to the grid. There are some pretty good batteries these days (e.g., Crown golf cart batteries, low priced and with the extra thick plates).

All:

And that's what everyone should do. Starve the beast. Most of the investors are your socialist overlords. Do it, while the costs of installing PV solar power are low. If you can't do that, get rid of your forced air furnaces, clothes drying machines (clotheslines work), electric ranges, dishwashers, electric water heaters (where solar works best with drainback systems) and air conditioners. And have a cup of coffee perked fresh with real percolator.

You'll be amazed at how much money you save and how much less you feed the socialist monster.