Inverters and balance of plant items preclude the average homeowner from installing a solar system IMHO.
Cheap components and better storage devices could begin to make it viable. Maybe something simple like some outdoor lighting to start. Maybe trickle charging batteries.
Actually, we are very close to it being a reasonable investment here in southern Arizona. The power companies favor distributed production because it helps keep the voltage up on their lines. The inverters have an automatic shut off that takes them off line during a power outage and brings them back on once the power is up.
You get to "run the meter backward" to offset any grid usage. After that you sell to the power company at a somewhat reduced rate.
The most expensive part is installation.