Ron,
I look into getting solar every 2-3 years or so. I am at the point where I could run about 2/3 of my average use from solar panels, and they would pay for themselves in about 10 years. (though my electric rates have increased and I have not recalculated for that). My state has pretty high electricity rates, and they also have a lot of incentives to add alternate energy sources. My house is also facing the perfect direction for maximum panel sun time. The panels have also significantly increased their efficiency/cost ratio since I first started looking.
It really depends on what kind of setup you want to get. You don't have to get batteries, but then you need a backup source for nights and rainy days. You also know what ESS battery packs are like - I cannot imagine too many homeowners wanting even a small pack in their house. I can sell the excess back to the electric company if I do not want to go the battery route. Having a fully standalone system (one that can run when the electric company has problems or downed lines) is a lot more complicated and expensive than just having solar as an additional source.
I don't know where the 'perfect' location would be. I think that depends on electricity rates, tax credits, weather, and a lot of other factors. Maybe Southern CA?
It is not a perfect technology, and certainly not going to save the planet or get us off of foreign
oil, but it is still worth developing and using when and where it makes sense to.
Steve