Great, hopefull, article:

[usonian]

6. I am in the Sierra foothills and my energy costs are really minimal

PG&E keeps telling me that I use less energy than “energy efficient homes”

Except in summer. And for better or for worse, that yearly average makes solar not cost-effective.

Kicker is that I am on a ridge and no trees near the home. Great for fire safety but a BIG solar heat load.

I was considering an open-loop system. Ground-racks (you can’t put roof panels on manufactured homes in CA) feeding a grand-room heat pump. The more sun, the more cooling. It’s like an 80% rule.

Energy storage would extend the payback time. But at scale, a great idea.

It might help some in winter. Ground racks should be easier to tilt more vertical (as in once a few months) than roof racks. I knew a guy who was really big into sun-tracking. Sold such units. Haven’t heard, since he left town some years ago.

Just a thought. I may move back nearer the ocean where Mother Nature’s air conditioner works. Not really cost-effective, but quality of life effective and that’s a big deal.

FWIW, I was a fan of solar back in the 60’s and 70’s, when oil companies were buying up solar in order to keep it out of production. (IMNSHO)