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All energy has externalities, fossil fuel externalities are much worse. Why object to the externalities of solar in particular here but not the externalities of what it replaces?

An honest comparison would only judge the externalities of solar in the light of the externalities of fossil fuels it is replacing, and not in isolation as you are doing.

While solar may use the grid as a giant battery, fossil fuels are using the atmosphere as a giant garbage dump. One of these is obviously much worse.

Isn't that covered in a flat monthly fee you pay on top of consumed electricity?

Yeah, net metering is exploitation of those who can not do the same... We really should just do away with that fully and only do spot prices without limit. So make it possible for price to go infinitely negative too and if someone's system pushes power to grid at that time make them pay.

Who cannot do the same? We have a loan to pay for the panels, but the monthly payment for the loan is quite a bit cheaper than what we ever paid for our monthly electric bill in the past years before getting panels.

For example renters, those who live in apartment buildings?