We installed a solar system at our 5 acre ranch earlier this year.

I couln't imagine using the volume of power the guy from the article uses. As ToddW mentioned, we line dry our clothes and have propane for our stovetop/oven, water heater and furnace (and burn wood to supplement there too).

The system we installed was 18 - 200w Sanyo panels for 3.6Kw. We opted for two inverters, although one would have worked so that we have the capabilities to add capacity at a later date. Having 5 acres we were able to pole mount the panels in one of our pastures for optimum exposure.

As Eugene mentions, the standard 'grid tied' system works great as long as the power utility is up, but once their power goes down - so does yours! For this reason we installed a modified system that included 12-126a 12v AGM batteries in three series of 48v. When the power goes off, we maintain power to critical loads (well pump, fridge, most lights, office computer) with seamless power. We also have a 7500w (B&S) back up generator that we can patch into the system should we sustain an extended power outage during and extended storm. This is enough to power our home and recharge the batteries over a three hour period. Although, with some conservation, the battery back up should get us through several days of off grid power with little or no power coming from the panels.

We have a net meter installed and were able to get P.G.& E.'s E-7 rate plan. The rate (coming in or going out) is about $0.09 per Kw hour off peak and $0.30 per Kw hour on peak (M-F 12N to 6PM). Essentially at the peak of their demand we are selling power back to them at $0.30 per Kw and buying it back at $0.09 per Kw. Over the past week we have accumulated 7 Kw hours of off peak credit ($0.63) and 45 Kw hours of peak credit ($13.50). One catch with PG&E is that you will not get a credit check back from them - and the credits are only energy credits against energy use that are zero'd out annually - if your owe them, you pay them; if they owe you, you get nothing and the process starts over. That is why unless you are going completely off grid it doesn't pay to have a system that produces above your usage. Also, somehow PG&E has mandatory charges of about $12.00 per month to look at your net meter - go figure.

In all, we expect to about zero out our bill annually and have the ability to function for extended periods of time off the grid, should the circumstances call for it. Our system, after rebates, cost us about $40,000 (the battery back up added about $7,500 to a standard grid tied system).

If you can go solar and be self sufficient I would do it. I can only imagine power costs going up.