I don't think that's the case. Depending on where you are, you either get paid retail or wholesale rates, and still have to pay some monthly service fee regardless of surplus or deficit. I've never heard of any utility in the US buying solar production at more than retail rates.
I like to think that between AAPL dividends and Apple hardware resale value (not even counting the value of the stock I’m holding on to) my spending on iPhones and MacBooks and Apple Watches has all been free.
Also, I sometimes I buy put options before a big product reveal in advance of the frequent stock price drop when all the analysts say “Is that what all the hype was about? That’ll never sell!”. Of course the stock prices pops back up again after Apple can’t keep up with demand.
I think the goal of these efforts is to provide material that gets picked up and spread by others, amplifying their message. They help to normalize an environment of divisiveness and extremism.