[FlyingScot]

Originally Posted by Descant

Comparing an investment in the stock market to an investment in solar panels is full of uncertainties. No matter where I go or how old I am, I can adjust or re-balance my stock portfolio. Once I've spent $$$ on solar, it is fixed. I may or may not get that investment back when I sell the house (average 7 years?). If I buy solar, and in 2033, it looks like fuel cells are better, will I get my solar investment back?
Over the last 10 years, I could easily invest in the market and make more than I save with solar. Over the next 10 years, that may be completely reversed. Trying to compare soar to the S & P 500 isn't apples and oranges, it is spoiled fruit.
My house was laid out in 1977 with solar in mind. Lots of glass on the south, not much on the north, etc. My next move will likely be to a retirement community that was designed and built based on commercial zoning, not solar or other energy considerations, except, perhaps, lots of insulation and caulking around the windows. Still, basically an apartment building where the tenants pay the utilities and the landlord doesn't worry. If a large percent of the population lives in congregate housing of some sort, it will be awhile before all that housing starts to consider utility efficiency, solar or otherwise.
In this crazy real estate market, I haven't seen many houses advertised as "solar efficient". The market thrust is "not in NY, NJ, etc."
I'm all for solar, but keep it in perspective.

The goal of financial analysis is to compare apples and oranges (and spoiled fruit). Stocks, bonds, gold, real estate, solar, Bitcoin....So I'm not sure what your problem is there.

The low risk solar return of >15% I posted is in Massachusetts. It takes about 6-7 years to break even. I agree that if you cannot plan that far ahead, solar may not be for you.