if it was a cheap solution everyone would just install batteries but guess what?

I'd say it can be a cheap solution (see below) but folks don't want to decrease their power use to do it. Tiny Home dwellers and vanfolk can live offgrid indefinitely because they plan their use and electrical systems mindfully.

I lived off-grid for over 6 years with a power setup that cost about $1,350. And even then I was using a premium solar charge controller and semi-premium battery bank. If I were building out the same capacity today it'd cost about $850.

I personally haven’t ever heard of someone being “forced” to connect to the grid but if so that’s a sad thing.

I used to live in a tiny rural town, pop. ~700. Town council passed an ordinance that everyone had to be connected to the grid. This happened about a month after the mayor (and town plumber) stood on my porch and talked about how gummint should stay out of people's business.