Yes, I include solar. As to the cost, 7 or 8 years ago the wholesale cost of the actual panels ranged around $4.75/w. Now there are panels available around $.65/watt. That is not subsidy from your neighbor; it is mass production/economies of scale--you know, the lies we were taught about how magical capitalism is. Yes there are tax credits etc as well, just as there are subsidies for many other aspects of energy such as ridiculously low royalties paid for extraction from government land. A decade and change ago, solar was a multi year payback, it is much faster now. Simple economics, unless you plan to sell your home sooner than the payoff, it is a rational investment which will become even more so when you are living off your pension/SS. Do you LIKE writing large checks to your local utility?