Anyone using solar as main source for home/office?

We're about to move into a new house in the Dallas, TX area and it's a home we expect to be in for 20+ years. We're looking at lots of options for sustainability and a greener lifestyle. One of the options we are currently exploring is solar energy - you know, panels installed on the roof of a structure that provide the necessary electricity to the home.

My wife and are skeptical about the savings we should expect (vs. what the marketing reps tell us). My take on it is that, if it was a proven money saver, then major corporations would have them in place at warehouses and other locations. Anecdotally, I don't see many/any when I drive around North Texas.

It would probably be around $30,000 to install the panels on the roof at my new house. That's a lot of money and I'd want to know that I could make it back within 7 years or so. Given that the average electric bill at the new (West-facing) house is $500/mth, we could justify the upfront cost if it truly will lower those costs to $50/mth (as a backup source only). We are also concerned with hail - a major problem in North Texas - and how the panels hold up in weather.

Any ideas/advice?