"I am new here and do not have any experience yet. I am very interested in learning how to break away from fossil fuels. "
Seems to be a popular trend these days for some reason! I think it's good that folks are thinking about alternatives. Some of your questions may bring up some intersting stuff if you search the board, but I agree - searching the internet(or our board) can bring up some strange stuff. Check out our links page on otherpower.com - there are lot's of good sites there. If you get by a news stand, check out 'Home Power Magazine' .
"I have many questions, and appreciate any help and advise. I was wondering if I am connected to the local electric co. how I would add a connection that feeds to the Grid when I am producing more electricity than I am using?"
Odds are the electricity you create will have cost you more (because of the cost/time involved in your system) than grid power. With that in mind - if you still want to do it and think its fun (which it is), you'd probably have a grid tie inverter that takes the stuff you generate feeds it back to the grid when you want it to. The inverters are fairly expensive. You're best first move is probably to conserve power wherever possible... although it does seem like less fun.
"If I do this would I still need batteries?"
Depends on the type of inverter you get. There are some that don't require batteries.
If you have batteries you have the advantage of 'backup power', Also, how would you be for sure that the electric co. is accounting for the electricity that you produce.
"I posted earlier but it somehow got removed. I am not quite sure why, but if I am doing something wrong please let me know what I am doing wrong before I am removed."
I think the editors (there are a few) are just getting tired of all the 'grid tie' talk lately - lots of folks are curious and ask questions before they even know which questions to ask. Too much of that makes the forum seem less interesting/cluttered.