I see solar and other self-reliance friendly technologies as being a sort of poison pill for cronyism and corruption.
Corruption and cronyism look to pooled economic resources to tap into. A monopoly utility or large scale economic operation is the host that these parasites can latch onto. Distribute the production of energy to the single house level and the parasites have a much harder time.
Ultimately that’s true. I’m sometimes disappointed with my fellow FReepers for this seemingly reflexive rejection of new technology without considering the potential upside.
For instance, you can build your own electric car right now, take a cheap car (or even a classic one), order the electric engine from mild to wild (they’re torque monsters and can be bizarrely fast), select your LiFePo4 battery pack (Lithium Iron Phosphate, very stable, does not need to be cooled nearly to the extent that some lithium batteries do, excellent longevity), select the various support componentry and make your own.
On the solar front there have been tremendous advances in materials and manufacturing. They’re cheaper and perform better than ever before. This particular materials advance sounds pie in the sky as I noted, but the technology overall can be quite beneficial on an individual level, for those in a circumstance to benefit from it.
Same with wind turbines. Trying to force fit these technologies into a mass market solution is where the error lies. It’s highly individual. If it works for you, go for it. Be free from much of the crap that’s being imposed upon us. Still not cheap, but getting cheaper. I see it as a good thing. Having more options always is, in the marketplace.