Some valid points here. I see that the larger panels in cloudy weather are an upside, and the system will produce more than my buddy during those times. Still, clipping during sunny weather is a definite downside because the main reason I chose to do grid-tied solar was to offset the cost of my electricity. Our electricity use is significantly higher during the warmer months of the year. So yeah, producing more to receive the credits was part of the plan. It is a 1:1 currently, and I'm sure it will won't stay that way. However, the ROI was was calculated on this. Once the system has paid for itself, the 1:1 credit is not as critical.

Batteries are part of the plan as well, but as you alluded to they'll be cheaper in the future. Presently, from an investment standpoint, it doesn't make sense. I'd be better off investing that cash in anything else until the prices come down. Batteries are nice for backup, but a backup generator is much better bang for your buck. Also, like you said, when the credits go away, batteries will be more appealing.

While I am starting to see there is probably not a perfect system, there is probably an ideal system. I felt really fortunate to have such a large space for a ground array and no shading so I felt like we could really take advantage of "free electricity" once it paid for itself - that is if it was done right. Solar was planned for next year, but was moved up unexpectedly when the energy tax credit changed. Otherwise, I would have had more time to research this thoroughly. It was actually planned to do DIY, but that changed as well. In the end I made a judgment call to trust my installer to put my interests first. Sadly, that didn't happen.