Can you generate renewable energy for profit on a small scale?

[Chris B]

Not considering the cost of the technology used for generation, is it feasible to generate renewable energy specifically for the purpose of selling it back to the utility companies?

I've been searching for information for quite some time and I've been unable to find any that really applies. Yes, in many states homeowners are able to sell surplus energy back to the utilities, but there seem to be extremely low limits on the amount.

Obviously, the large renewable energy farms are negotiating directly with the utilities for buyback of their energy. On a small-scale, is this possible? Are there any resources available for research? I'm located in Ohio if that helps, but I'm considering other locations as well if this is a legitimate possibility.
Based on the first answer, let me add the following details: I'm not concerned with the rate at which they purchase it, the question is whether or not they will definitely purchase it. Or, do you get to the point where they simply disconnect your operation from the grid?
One more addition: I'm not asking if it's cost-effective, but rather if it's possible. In this example, let's just say that I have $50k worth of solar panels laying around. Could I hook them up, connect them to the grid, and sell energy to the utility?

 

[linlyons]

depends on state regulations.
probably not.
the reason is that the utility has to pay for the distribution network.
you pay more for the electricity that you buy at home than it costs to produce because the utility has all of the other overhead costs.

in calif, the regulations state that the utility pays a user full price, up to the limit of his use, but no more than that.
that's pretty fair -- in fact, more than fair, for a user that is.

 

[John W]

Commercial co-generation agreements with utilities will require more control over the power generation than residential solar PV or wind power can provide. This is because there's only value if the power is available when needed and asked for. The utilties will require the ability to either isolate you from their grid or require you to either load shed or increase your generation from their control system.

Therefore you would either have to provide equivalent gas turbine or diesel generation capability to meet your contractual commitments or you would need something like micro-hydro where you generate the power on demand.

That's not to say that you couldn't be a small scale provider however you could only sell energy contracts at a fraction of your generation capacity in order to account for the unpredictability of solar PV and wind.

Usually the residential buyback is at 50% retail rate after a certain allowance at full retail rate. There's also programs where the utilities will pay for and install the solar PV system provided you sign a contract to guarantee that you will purchase a specific amount of power from them over a specific period of time. The residential programs essentially ensure that you will still on average be a net consumer.