Don't spread FUD.
If your'e scrappy and hustle you can get an 8kW array (US or EU panels) with hybrid inverter + mounting for $8000 USD. The battery depending on chemistry will be another $2000 - $6000 - also factoring in sizing, depth of discharge, etc.
Theres no maintenance if you install properly, maybe occasionally dusting off the panels if your climate is like that.
The payback ~2 years at 95%+ utilization if you're paying $0.10/kW from the utility
You have to change the battery often, it will last only few cycles, your 2 years is misleading, more like 10 years if you pay $0.10 per khw and 20 years if $0.20 per khw. Panels last only 10 years or so, some trolls say 20 years which is also misleading cause okay 20 years and 30% of what used to offer at beginning, panels degrade with time, you have to change them. There is no end to solar power maintenance.
Well if you're not careful you'll still blow something up but if you do you're research, power from the sun aint bad.
Use Lithium-ion or newer chemistries, you'll get quite a few years and 80%+ DoD, no battery changing
Panels made in 2013+ degrade 10% after 6+ years and are rated to produce at least 80% after 20+ years or replaced free under warranty.
This is why new solutions like GRID-TIED solar arrays are more profitable and easier to maintain. Just freakin plug the inverter into your normal circuit and you are good to go. I feel that solar setups using batteries are not profitable and are for those doomsday preppers who expect the whole world to explode.
Solar can be profitable, if you know what you are doing.
Well my reply was for off-grid, grid tied totally eliminates the battery if done correctly, many power providers offer the service however most want to buy your electricity for much less than what they sell to you, they are such trolls hehe
If you grid tie with solar you can usually negotiate time of day rates and negotiate <0.06/kW at night depending on the area.
Yea non-1:1 net metering is a huge rip off. gotta email your local politician to vote against that shit.