I appreciate the sentiment here, but it is a little too individualistic. Time and time again, social movements have succeeded through mutual aid and solidarity. Just focusing on your own life is great, but you need to consider the fact that, ahem, we live in a society. Even if everyone in your community suddenly lived like you describe, there would still be the looming threats of climate change and biodiversity collapse, not to mention the exploitation of workers overseas (which very well may be producing the rare metals in your DIY solar panels).
I digress. Living a solarpunk life can take many forms. “The role of the revolutionist” is manifold. Its silly to suggest that a person’s life can be a model of an alternative, when we are so intertwined and connected with other human beings and environments. Direct action and organizing against state tyranny, fossil capitalism, environmental racism and other damaging systems is solarpunk. Especially if you are doing those things and still have time to grow a garden.
Again, going vegan is great. But just because you “assert your beliefs” at the dinner table doesn’t mean you are somehow doing revolutionary work. Movements have the power to change things, not individuals. Lets be real.
Yep this makes sense to me, I agree. Especially if those vast areas are far from large manufacturing facilities of these efficient panels (likely), less complex and DIY panels produced on site would reduce transportation costs. It would just be a matter of locating materials in those regions.
“Environmental cost” is a very vague concept. If we only consider carbon emissions, more efficient panels might be better. But factoring in the waste generated over time, the lifecycle impacts of the panels (mining, manufacturing, disposal, etc.) I think there needs to be more analysis. Not saying it will outweigh, I just think its worth a hard look.
In terms of decreasing demand, that’s a consumer-side factor, so it has no connection to actual panel production.