Al.

I prefer a chip heater, tank water, and candle light. At least while housing remains unaffordable, and power companies become the new masters of the poor, (with the total assistance of the uncaring political classes)!

Diver Dan,

We use solar for water heating with a backup from the boiler (wood fired) that I use to run my workshop (mechanically) and also to charge the battery bank and to generate 240V power (for power tools mainly).
The windmill pumps water to a 2.000 gallon tank that is above house level, thus supplying domestic water at pressure.

The power lines are only a mile or so away but the cost of connecting is prohibitive and the benefits negligible.

I made the solar water heater about thirty years ago, using corrugated copper sheets and lots of solder!!