“Unless we’re talking a high density area... It’s 1/2 a mile to my closest neighbor and another mile to the neighbor after that.”
That is quite rural. Most of America’s population doesn’t not fall into a category even close to that. The 220V fed back through the meter would be used instantly be the next house. I wonder who paid for the power lines to come to all those houses a half a mile apart? It sounds like it would be thousands of dollars per house.
” it assumes that the neighbor actually needs the power at the time”
How many houses do you know of that have a meter that stops turning, EVER?
Do you understand that the power at the meter is priced at retail, but the power being generated by these solar arrays is worth far less than retail? Net metering is the law here in Virginia and it unfortunately represents another undeserved subsidy for unreliable and off peak home-generated solar power (in addition to the federal tax credits).
I would simply not rather pay 14 cents for someone's unreliable solar power that is delivered when my grid doesn't need it (except in summer). I would rather pay the 4 cents for wholesale power from a reliable generator, plus the extra 4 cents to get the power to my house (line losses). It's just a better deal.
I can understand though that in some circles "Green" power is considered virtuous and worthy of such subsidies. You may disagree but you should state your views up front and not hide behind bogus economic arguments.