'Seems like a lot of use of induction out there, but when a person mentions it on this board people jump all over them. Yet I find that they offer no real good reason why a complex setup with inverters, batteries and all, which costs over twice what an induction setup would, is so much better.'
The main reason people on this board do not use induction generation set ups is they are more complicated then plugging in a varying simple DC input.
I think the reason that most people on here like off grid systems and grid interactive systems is the perceived security from the rest of the world, ie having power when the grid goes down, of course you need the rest of society to build the batteries and cables one would need. However, there are people on here, such as some who have commented, that do not have a grid connection and the cost of getting one is very expensive and this has to be weighed up against the cost of a battery based system.
' I have talked with people in the area I live and find that most of these little inverter setups are basically a good hobby or toy (joke some might say).'
Very small systems will never make a big impact and this includes small grid tie systems, pv, wind, hydro etc.
'Seems like they really don't see much good in them and a lot of them have been taken down when they burn out the inverter or gen. (a problem reported a bunch and these are supposed to be good units from commercial companies that are bragged about even on this board)'
pays your money you take your choice, its a hobby like you say.
'It seems to me that induction has far less parts, less costs, and less to go wrong. When properly controlled side by side I understand that induction can not run or produce in as wide of a range of speeds as other setups or be off grid as easily, but for the costs (and replacement costs if something goes wrong) I am a bit confused as to the bias against induction. '
You right, they are much simpler and they do have much smaller tolerances and they are made from of the shelf parts so cheap and easy to replace. But, for the DIYer they are complicated, phase angles, power factor, inductance, capacitance, line impedance, transient states and grid compatibility all have to be considered and worked out. Grid tie inverters, plug them in and plug in your RE source job done.
'these are just my observations and wondering if you are simply talking about making power (yes that is what is trying to be achieved) for lowest cost then what works best from experience?'
delivered energy is what you get paid for, does not matter if it comes from an induction system or a grid tie inverter. Larger wind turbines ~ >5kW are induction generation systems typically and are three phase systems.
It all depends where you are in the world, so where do you live? no one can help you with your first question till we know where you are, how much money you have, what system you want (do you know?) basically, a free consultancy, so dont moan that people are being bias.