[maratd]

This is easily solved if the utilities get properly involved.

My utility has been pushing a thermostat that they provide at no cost and will even give you a bit of cash for installing. The reason is that this thermostat is hooked up to the utility through the internet and can be shut off by them during a spike or an emergency.

I just got new smart electric meters installed too.

If those meters were a little bit smarter, connected over the net, and had the ability to restrict flow ... they could easily install devices on a per house basis that would protect the grid. That would put the ball back in the homeowners court and the homeowner can implement a solution to shut off the panels when the utility isn't interested in purchasing power back.