Concrete I was talking about grid tied systems with battery back up. Not off grid and then also having to pay for power lines brought to your remote property. Most people don't live in non grid area's. Picking a friend that lives outside of civilization as an example doesn't prove anything.
And here ya go links to the $1000 starter system.
Inverter--- $320 dollars not the greatest but it's a start and it's stackable, so could be used as you expand your system cheaply. Then once you get a few more panels past the initial investment you can spend more on a better one (about $3000 for a top of the line Fronius)
panels---$695.00. for the first one.
Ok I was off by about $100.00 and I'll give you other $100.00 for building your own frame and some caulk and screws for mounting it on your roof.
Granted it isn't alot of power being generated, but as I stated before it's a start and if you invested your savings back into the system you'd have a decent sized array in 5-10 years (3-4 panels more if you put extra money into it). Forgive me for being vague on this but there's a lot of factors to consider on the payback of such things---as you're all to happy to point out).
This isn't even including the government incentives that currently exist which you could get bigger for the same amount money, but they require professional installation. The beauty of this one is that it's plug and play. But too bad it's illegal to run your meter backwards without a contract with the power company, which typically requires large arrays to be approved for.
The problem I'm pointing out isn't the price of the technology or even grid issues (though I admit I've strayed a little bit at times--easy to do in this thread) but that the current regulations for net metering doesn't make it cost effective for Joe (six-pack or plumber, or lion, or whatever---couldn't resist sorry). Sure you can eliminate your electric bill but to do so for most people would require you to overbuild the system and add storage--as it stands any excess power is given to the grid for free. The power companies make money with no overhead for themselves with every Net-0 house. Which is exactly why they are some of the biggest supporters of this movement. But it will be a cold day in hell when they suggest paying people for that power, which is why it needs to be legislated.
This might be different in different service areas, but Oregon is pretty forward thinking on this issue and this is how it is done here. My problem lies in the fact that if I'm going to invest in a system why is breaking even the best I can do? Is this a free market economy or not?
I'm all for being altruistic and doing, spending, and donating for good causes. But I don't think spending money to give product to an energy company to sell for free as being altruistic. It's just stupid