This is very educational, but your conclusion is a bit too pat. Most of us who've already invested in homes cannot afford to "pay off an energy-efficient house with a well" or use much solar power (beyond small devices), or have either the desire or skills to live off the grid. Only the very wealthiest in some countries can accomplish this, or people who've devoted their lives to living this way. As someone with relatives who do the latter, it isn't easy by any stretch and requires resources in the form of community support (social infrastructure), years of education (blacksmith, permaculturist farmer), and it helps to be young.