[graphene]

Maybe change the 'Net metering' rules to buy the solar power from customers at a lower price, and let the supply-demand work itself out.

It won't be that simple, since even this (allowing customers to contribute power back to the grid at scale) requires expensive infrastructure upgrades.

[nnain]

Nothing is ever that simple. Nevertheless I would rather opt for upgrading the infrastructure than upgrading the installation at every home/office.

IMHO, smarter grids are much better than batteries all over the place.

[brrt]

I'd argue that one implication of a smarter grid would be that there'd have to batteries all over the place, exactly because batteries can adapt quickly and 'smartly' (with a .05$ microchip) to energy supply and demand.

Whereas there is a limit to the maximum intelligence of refrigerators, airconditioning devices, heat pumps, and washing machines.

[crdoconnor]

Unfortunately the utilities' profit model is completely at odds with distributed generation, so they will fight it tooth and nail.

Other countries might manage smarter grids but it's not (yet) politically feasible in the US.