Solar is good, but not very efficient in many US locations. Next year, I'm putting in a wind turbine (smaller, horizontal rotation) up on the property in NC. 4000 feet above sea level, right in the path of the wind from the west. Another guy has a similar rig on his property and it powers his 3000 ft cabin just fine.
The last I read, you cannot sell your excess electricity to power cos. Furthermore, if you are able to sell the excess, there is a limit on the amount the elec co will buy.
I haven't really researched it, but I was under the impression the payback period for home solar was like 20 years.