A neighbor thout the power company was a ripoff and he was going to solarize on the cheap and save a wad. Spent too much time reading the Internet blogs. No technical skills, told him he was facing a pile of tech issues but he ignored me(unless he had a specific problem to solve). So panels from E-Bay, inverter from somebody, and I don't know where he scrounged the half worn out batteries. Got the garage and basement more or less powered. Power factor got him, (try explaining that to a non-techie) and not nearly enough battery to get him through 3 cloudy days even in summer.
Half the panels are gone and he gave up powering the basement. So he's just got the garage solar powered and with his inverter the power factor problem still keeps him from using anything with a substantial inductive motor.
And this is all in summer with long days and high sun angle. Doubt he could reliably open a garage door in winter with snow drifting on the panels.
There's a reason for centralized power utilities..
