That's possibly true. They don't have batteries. The power sharing scheme was scrapped for this same reason.  Houes with solar were sharing it back to the grid based on output. But in some cases the usage from the immediate area wasn't making full use of it and there was power wasted with no means to store it. Plus the administration meant it costed more money. On our old house we were getting back £3k a year from the grid. Lucky who is still on that scheme. Instead we are thinking of setting up out own neighbourhood power sharing for the new property. The house and gargage has good roof lines to get a lot solar power than we need.  So our neighbours could get power too. The problem is they are both well off. Without the grid being more efficient it doesn't help anyone in need. 

But yeah I get your second argument too. Its why I love antiques. Sure they go up and down in value depending what is collectable but there is still a value that holds. The rarity and materials are not going to change. Except to become more rarer.  An antique vase 200 hundred years old you can get for £100. Same price department stores want for some of theirs - reproduction copy. If it lasted 200 years it can last another 30 years in your home and in 30 years time it should have a lot more value. Whereas the mass manufactured one is likely to end up in a skip or chairty shop. 

It does *bleep* me off when I get buyers making an low ball offer on items make from real gemstones and semi precious materials for the same price a low quality braclet that will break in a few wears from Clair's Accessories. 

I want to shake them and say "This has lasted decades, centuries even...the base value isn't going anywhere. Brass, gold, silver etc. keep going up. Give it a good home and when you know longer need it chances are good you should at least get your money back plus make a bit more money." 

Having durable items and looking after them really does pay off in the end. Or as you said there are cheap washing machine out there they are lucky to get 2 years out of. Running it 3 times a week and overloading it is dumb.