[zurn]

Many of the loads discussed, eg washing machines, are also reasonable matches a local solar power source, as it's much cheaper to buffer hot water than have large batteries.

(Water heating dominates the energy used in those, the mechanical sloshing around takes trivial power compared to it).

[lbriner]

And what do you do for the 6 months of the year when there is not enough solar to heat water to a suitable temperature?

[zurn]

People living in arctic areas with multi-month polar night generally already have some other heating energy source, as it gets a bit chilly. But in the summer they can have 24/7 solar energy!

There's not many people living in these areas though like the sibling comment points out.

[bluGill]

Depends on where you live, but generally this is enough solar, you just need enough well insulated storage to last a few weeks.