I’m in agreement with cripplecreek who earlier in the thread said: “I’m all for alternatives as long as its your choice, more power to you.”
Indeed, when I built my house in NM, I took advantage of the warm winter sun to light and warm a sunroom which is bright and cozy. Solar panels for water heating could have been added too, though subdivision rules prohibit rooftop structures (such as evaporative coolers) without shielding. This was 15 years ago when energy was cheap. I suspect panels are available that do not look like the ugly black glass ones back then.
Here in Michigan the only effective use of solar I get is with the big low e glass picture window. On a nice sunny day it really makes a big difference.