Even this is a subsidy. Your friend was benefiting from the presence of the grid even when they weren't pulling energy from it. They still had the ability to

Even this is a subsidy. Your friend was benefiting from the presence of the grid even when they weren't pulling energy from it. They still had the ability to pull energy from it when they did need. If enough people go that route then the grid will start selling this right and charge you even if you don't use it.