If your system is solar THERMAL -- that's a splendid idea.. It divorces the issues of being grid attached from heating water. Solar PV --- means going into the energy biz and competing with the big boys. Not something the average homeowner should undertake. Especially in your area where subsidies and feed-in tariffs can shift in an eyeblink..
Why not? You don't "compete"; you use what you need and sell any excess back to the power company. I've got several friends that do that including my next-door neighbor.
Of course you compete.. You are in the energy biz.. Most folks aren't even HOME when their generator plant is producing. Not as much as you WILL BE COMPETING in the future when the Big Boys have the OPTION of taking your power.. Right now -- they are REQUIRED to.. If everybody did it -- they couldn't take it all. And the "must carry" rules will change. Probably go under real contracts for the purchase of your electrical plant.
You decided to finance a large generation scheme, eat the additional roof maintenance and wait at least 10 years to make a profit (with current absurdly high subsidies and without consideration of finance and maintenance costs)..
You are buying back power evenings, mornings, and nights at MAYBE reduced rates. But selling at peak rates. You are --- in the energy generation biz. Especially if you're not home to USE the generation at midday peaks..
Do you not understand what the word "compete" means?
If I stuck solar panels on my roof, enough to generate way more than I needed, and then went to my neighbors and told 'em "ditch the power company and I'll hook ya up", THAT would be competing. As it is, a solar home feeding power back to the grid is just one more of that company's sources. No different from their getting X amount from this coal plant, Y amount from a neighboring region's power, Z amount from a dam, etc. You're a supplier for that company in that moment -- not a competitor. Sheeeeeesh.
I can even see it on my electric bill, the part the company buys that's "green". That's part of it.