My father built panels and then assembled a garage with assistance.  

Does this one already have the panelized doors we usually instal to update a home?

Other than that J martin is doing a west coast meet up in SF the end of Aug. and I committed to come and spend a few days there. and will be happy to net work and sit on some Q and A panels. 

Thats a great Idea (Solar), I have been looking into this, but everyone wants me to BUY the solar panels + converter, but never heard of a solar farm that would be interested in renting my space for that purpose.

It may be very expensiveElectric: does each unit have a sub panel?

There is a lot of beautiful wood paneling throughout the basement, great condition, but also dated.

Lots of wood paneling.

The other alternative I thought was to own the units, but go off the grid by installing enough solar panels (perhaps with battery backup for storage) to supply electricity to 240v dryers and washing machines.  

(FWIW, the house is not in a high-end or even good neighborhood by any stretch of the imagination.)Specifically, they are taking issue with the T1-11 plywood siding panels that I'm calling out for use around the sides and back of the house.

They replaced the breaker, the control panel, the circulator pump, a zone valve, bled the furnace and water heater.