"Was actually hinting at a state-owned utility. Electricity simply doesn't lend itself to a for-profit venture. Look at what deregulation in California did."
I know but Wisconsin is about the last state that should try this.
"Going off the grid has its own set of problems. People who install windmills and solar panels rarely, truly go off the grid. They still stay connected for those days they can't generate power. Grid operators have no control over these small-time players, who usually have a deal with the govt. to buy whatever power they put back on the grid at ridiculously high prices. This creates instability as it forces large utilities to scale back power. Also, line maintenance isn't free, and they still have to be maintained no matter which way the power flows. Large utilities have to pay these fees, but Ma 'n' Pa Power and Light usually don't. A few people on the grid isn't usually a big deal, but govt incentives to "go green" will create a huge mess for utilities.
People want to make their own govt. subsidized electricity and sell it back to the grid, but want the big players there when the wind isn't blowing or sun isn't shining.
A disastrous business model in the making."
Personally, I would like to be off the power grid completely. I wouldn't bother selling it back to the utility because at some point, it would probably be mandatory that a certain amount be sold and I get the rest, which doesn't work for me. If my equipment is making the power, I want to be able to use as much, or as little, as I want. If they have no input at the time of design and installation, they shouldn't have any input once it's up and running. I'm perfectly willing to use DC for LED lighting and storage batteries for low light situations. It would also make wind/water/generator power useful for high demand periods when solar doesn't recharge the batteries fast enough. For that matter, I could build a boiler and use the steam to drive a turbine. I don't care, as long as I don't have to put up with WE Energies BS.
I'm not planning to stay in WI for too much longer, anyway. Once I'm gone, I'll be in a place where the sky is clear more than it is here.
