Wow, I had forgotten about this one. You're right "Tech Guy" the topic was deviated from a little. Thats my fault.
You are looking for answers to living with less utility generated electricity from burning coal or nuclear power plants. It that correct?
You want to stay on the grid "utility power" but produce your own electricity from photovoltaics and possibly store some of it in batteries for use at night. Is this correct?
Assuming that these are correct, the point I had in mind, when I wrote that post, with that link, was a crude attempt to show you a path that does not include the grid at all. Its called living "off grid." We (humans) had lived "off grid for thousands of years. Now look at where we are only 100 years after having a "grid." We are trying to "save the planet" with renewable energies. It would seem to me that if we really wanted to "save the planet" we would just, turn those energies off. We are not going to have these energies without consuming some natural resource (mass) or other. Its that simple. Would billions of people die within 100 years of doing so? Most likely but that shows us just how fragile a thing being so dependent on these manmade energies is.
As for exploiting the week. Thats just human nature now isn't it? What do you think being made dependent on these manmade energies does? It does not empower us, it makes us dependent on those that can produce it or, supply the mass or for those that produce it or, the means for us to produce our own or, supply the mass to produce those items. PV modules and the supporting electrical do not last forever and the last time I looked PV modules and copper wire and wind generators, etc. etc. do not grow on trees.
(For you John D.
http://www.asis.com/users/stag/thewar.html )
Recently on another thread, "Tech Guy," you asked about equipment for megawatt PV systems.
Have you considered seeking out (paying for the services of) a professional in photovoltaic electrical systems "Tech Guy?" There are so many things to consider when designing and building a PV system that, no matter how knowledgable and/or how good the intentions are of people on this bulletin board, someone could inadvertently give you bad advice. This is why, here in the USA, we have things like; the NEC and, state licensed electrical contractors, permits and, inspection by local authorities and professionals (for hire.)
"Fear is not in the habit of speaking truth; when perfect sincerity is expected, perfect freedom must be allowed; nor has anyone who is apt to be angry when he hears the truth any cause to wonder that he does not hear it." ~ Cornelius Tacitus, Roman senator and historian - 96 AD.