&quot;It&#x27;s not that simple. A system that is not grid connected will need a lot more than just a battery to make it as reliable as a grid connection. Those &#x27;few short years&#x27; are more likely a couple of decades, in other words well over the horizon for the people that are currently trying to squeeze the most profit from those utilities.&quot;<p>How are panels + battery not as reliable ?  I think you mean they don&#x27;t last as long, right ?  As in, theoretically you could use up the battery before the sun rises again so it&#x27;s not as nice as the utility ...<p>As far as I can tell, panels + battery (properly sized, and admittedly expensive) are all you need.  You can just cancel your electric service at that point.