Depends. I have about 4kw of solar panels outside, some on my main shed, some on a smaller shed, and some sitting around. I used to have them grid-tied, but since my state put in "smart meters" I got a nice letter saying that unless I had them re-installed by a "certified" solar installer my power would be disconnected. This is what we call "one union protecting another", so that is as they say that. Technically with the bitcoin miners I would never back-feed the utility, but I abide by rules.
Oh they also had the gall to send me an "efficiency" letter that I was using 20% more power in the last year. Guess it was the panels. Screw them.
However I can use them to charge about 400ah of 24 volt batteries in the shed (house backup for when we lose power) so I have been re-wiring them appropriately. 24 volts is not as good as 300 volts (what you feed a grid-tie inverter) but it will still work. So this spring/summer I'll try running miners off the panels and see how many I can run with 4kw *5 hours of sun/24 hours a day.
C
Hey bud I can see why you are pissed with them but there are some real concerns for not the energy companies but for the guys who work on the grid.
Self installs can be done exceptionally well and pose no danger whatsoever to anyone but equally these installs can also be done by total idiots. In most case's they have no way of knowing if the system has been linked to the grid or that it may become so when said tinker decides to tinker some more.
As I'm sure you know a system that does not have a self imposed shut down (and very strict rules about starting back up again) should the grid go out is a major hazard to line workers at least in my country.
Cool project for the miners tho I did something like this back in 2011. Great way to mine
@dmartig aside from ufo sourced power I agree with you 100% about micro hydro
nothing beats it.
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I'm sure the worlds already been treating you as you treat others. Still I would like to take this opportunity to tell you life can get better nothing lasts for ever so chin up go outside let the sun warm your face. 
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