Solar and batteries are not a long term solution that will bring energy independence to everyone. It's not that simple. In western countries, and especially in

Solar and batteries are not a long term solution that will bring energy independence to everyone. It's not that simple. In western countries, and especially in the USA, people mostly want to live in a private house, with two or more cars. If those vehicles are electric (and that's the future we're pointed to), I think solar panels would provide a tiny share of the electricity required for this way of life. When living in a large city building, the energy required for each family is much smaller since cars are not needed and since heating etc is lower than in individual houses. In that case, solar panels are more useful, though not enough to be independent.