You compared it to hair dryers (1200W each) which by their nature use a lot of power for a short period of time. Why didn't you say that 2.3kW could power 35 60W light bulbs? I only have three 60W light bulbs on in my house at night. My TV only uses 300W. 2.3kW would power seven of them. My computer runs about 160W and my refrigerator about 700. 2.3kW would go a long way towards satisfying my electrical demands.
I have read several reports of people who either used their own money entirely or counted on subsidies and converted their homes to near-total solar. This costs from $20,000 to $50,000
and results in usually roof-mounted photovoltaic panels delivering from 4 to 6 kw.Large battery banks and inverters are also part of the package as is buying the most energy effiecient appliances.
Frost free refrigerators and freezers use lots more electric than the earlier models of our parents. There are a couple of companies that make rather high priced units which use a small portion of the usual ones.
Anyone who thinks oil isn't subsidized should check his reality meter. The military cost alone to keep it flowing are enormous.Not to mention the political deals with less than stellar personages.
You really can't convince me it is good for the U.S. to be dependent on others for food,fuel,fiber, or anything else.
You need to throw your washer,dryer,over AC and heat into the mix as these are your primary power needs (which are small compared to those needed to operate our industry and infrastructure) Also that is 2.3 KW is peak production. I shot the photo around 1 pm. Take a 50% hit for the 12 hours of darkness. Take another 25% hit for nonideal angles of the sun. Take another hit for storage.
You can't live in the modern world on <1 KW average power draw with a footprint the size of a house.