The beauty of solar is to create a total house solution with the use of batteries in your garage. Taking what is produced and first charge fully ones garage batteries, allows for completely being off the grid when there s no sun. Here in Southern California we use an NEMS (net energy metering system) which basically measures hourly use and when the sun goes down, if you don't have battery back up you will pull from the grid even though during the day time hours I am making 150% of what I use daily BUT without a battery , the excess goes back to the grid. Once a year you get a true up for all of the energy you have sent to the grid. My true up was last month and I received a credit of just over $800. Each month when I receive a bill it shows that I might pull 8-10 Kwh from the grid and I get charged for this BUT it is deducted from my credit from what I produce. AS stated I make at least 150% of demand and I never deplete my credit reserve but only add to it. Having said that the use of a few garage wall batteries with a flick of a switch provide electricity for the rest of the day as well as charging your EV's. Anyone putting in solar now should seriously consider a total home solution. Where I live, we are serviced by the most expensive electrical utility company in the nation. To wit, they buy my surplus for $0.03/Kwh and sell it back top us during on peak hours for $0.45/kwh The goal for everyone is to be completely off the grid and be self sufficient. And once again the SQ listening to music is simply superb. Don't let anyone tell you differently. Finally I have been asked what if any maintenance is required for your roof grid. I have a guy whose business locally is to get up on. the roof and clean all of the panels and provide before and after photos. Also it is not uncommon for birds to nest under the panels and although I have never had a nest , he does remove them when they are empty. Others have asked about damage to the panels during dust or hail storms. If you do your due diligence properly, current top tier companies such as the one I use (Sun Power) provide a 25 year warranty their panels. We live on a golf course and have suffered many broken windows but never once an impact concussion from a golf ball. I chose Sun Power for several reasons
1. Oldest solar company in the USA
2. All panels and parts are made in the USA
3. Their panels are so good that they are the ones used to power the Mars Rover and they are functioning perfectly on Mars
4. They are the only company that provides a 25 year warranty
5. Most solar panel become less efficient as they age BUT those made by Sun Power are rated at 120% efficiency for the 25 years. IOW if a grid on ones roof equates to , for example, 10 KW, Sun Power panels produce 20% more
And most importantly do NOT use a 3rd party installer as they do not meet the standards dictated. I went Sun Power Direct and have zero regrets