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Thanks for this thread - The idea of going off grid is huge with me and swmbo especially since the kids are getting ready to leave the nest. Solar has always been a little scary to me. I look forward to GreenAcres post on going solar!

KVR said

GreenAcres2.0 said
I own a renewable company and I can say I have seen sales people say ANYTHING. I have fired two personally because of making unethical claims.
ANY grid-tied system (a system with no batteries) will go down when the grid goes down. They do this so that when lineman are working on the grid down the road your not going to fry them as it steps up through the transformers.
To "Net-Zero" a home requires different things depending on where you live. Obviously if you live in Maine your heating demand is going to be greater than someone in Arizona. Your AC load is going to be the bane of your existence anywhere south of the mason-dixon.
I was playing with the idea earlier of making a "Going Solar Guide" as my first thread. After reading this I think I NEED to so that people don't get stuck in a situation like you.
Dsireusa.org is the industry gospel for incentives and rebates. If it's not in there, it doesn't exist. Companies that offer financing will take those incentives and give you a package based on that. Typically you pay A LOT more for this kind of program than you would otherwise. But you also pay more for a car or your house if you finance it vs cash.
Good luck! CHOOSE AMERICAN!!!!

@newman any tips on going solar?

I've been meaning to post for you for a couple weeks. Sorry it's taken so long. 

The tips I have are simple. 1)have a good idea of what you want before you call a contractor. Meaning if you want grid tied, battery back up etc. 

2) do not call a contractor if you are going to do it yourself! I'm virtually out of residential solar because for every one real customer I had to go see 15 that just wanted to pick my brain and then buy on line. That's fine but don't take someone's time to find out what some research can do. 

3) cheaper is not better, but it's not bad. You can find panels from $.50 a watt to $1.20. The higher the cost panels are probably worth it if they are a big name (Solarworld) for example. Once you start getting into the mid-range I'd go with a company that has a proven track record (Do NOT pay average retail for a brand new company) the Chinese will give anyone a manufacturing facility right now and there's a TON of up starts. You don't want to pay for a prototype. 

4) AMERICAN, AMERICAN, AMERICAN or Canadian.. 

Companies like Solarworld, Suniva, Szion, Unirac, APA, Game Change, SMA, Outback (my personal favorite) are American made with very strong products. Yes they'll be $.20 more expensive but they're worth it. 

I'll do my best to answer anything I can!