Remember Jimmy Carter? Back then, he tried to sell us on "alternative energy." Quotas were set, regulations imposed, tax codes amended, and there were various subsidies, rebates, etc.

The moment the subsidies expired, the little storefronts selling 'solar' switched to selling wheelchairs, almost overnight.

For the past decade, the push for solar has been present. Has it been any different this time?

I think not. Looking at this news item http://www.kkoh.com/2015/12/24/solar-company-to-stop-selling-in-nv/ we can see just how fragile the business is.

At the mere suggestion that the power company will reduce what it pays for your excess generation (no more "net metering"), this firm shuts down. That says quite a bit for all those glowing dollar figures the sales folks have been tossing about!

More importantly, the entire controversy ignores the latest twist to solar: micro inverters. With micro inverters, the generated power is converted to AC right at the solar panel, and is simply back-fed into your panel. No more "second meter," transfer switch, or permits needed.

Once again, technology and reality have completely out-maneuvered our bureaucracies and politicians. Is anyone surprised?

I think we need to utterly reject this idea that we can mandate "progress" by fiat.