I haven't read it yet but 9 years to recoup initial investment most likely? I'd imagine in that 9 year time span he's going to need batteries and misc other things.

I believe that not only does solar equipment need to get cheaper but the appliances most people rely on need to get more efficient.

In reality you can go 100% solar pretty darn easy if you don't have many appliances at all

Clothe line or propane dryer.
Propane water heater.
Propane oven.

Those are mostly the big power zappers unless you are like me and weld, and work in the garage to make stuff.... then you really can't go 100% off the grid unless you get a generator made for that (they have them).

I think there are a lot of options and going 100% off grid and living 100% the same is EXPENSIVE. If you re-arrange and make some sacrifices it makes it a bit cheaper.

Since I don't plan to power everything 100% by solar myself my future goal is to have segments available to solar if my power goes out and then maybe slowly fade from the grid.

Enough rambling.

-Todd