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I would almost think this is satire. You have seen the sun for three times this year? That would be three days you could be generating electricity. And for how many hours? And how big would your batteries be? And how many acres are you going to have the solar panels on? With 200 inches of snow a year will you keep the panels clear so they can work? You say you are going to build the panels. Have you checked out the cost of the individual units, the wiring, the frames, the batteries, the connection to your house, etc., etc.

There are very good reasons why homeowners do not put in solar panels to provide them with power. Our neighbor put in panels to heat his hot water. It has saved him about 0.000001 percent on his electric bill. He even laughs about it now, except when he comments on the two thousand dollars he spent for the system.

He even put in a solar powered gate. He has to replace the battery every other year at a cost of $150.

My advice is simple. Wait another 50 years until they have improved the technology.

There are very good reasons why homeowners do not put in solar panels to provide them with power. Our neighbor put in panels to heat his hot water.

I could see where, in some cases, solar would work. Hot water would be one of them, as there's a massive battery for energy storage (the hot water tank) already built into the system. It's also an inexact system, in that you really don't care if your hot water is at 125 degrees, or 123 degrees. So there are potential bennies.

I've not ever used solar, but my recommendation would be to put the money into things that work with a high reliability. Like giving your house a serious weather-proofing (insulation, new windows, etc etc). Or upgrading your heat / cooling devices. You'll see a return on these, there are tax credits, and they're not a detriment if you want to sell your home. (for instance, if I was buying a house, I DON'T want all of the labor and expense associated with any "alternate" technology. I'd be fine with more insulation, though!)

Solar, IMO and with specific exceptions, is a boondoggle.