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.
The thing that irritates the hell out of me is that some really cool technology using eeeeevil fossil fuels are being regulated to death. CNG vehicles are more compelling than electric and is a tech that is already being used throughout the world. Except the US, which has strangled the industry despite having incredible amounts of natural gas at our disposal. And home power? Nano-generators are close to being a reality. But again, the regulations will kill it.