For me, an ideal calculator for miners should be:

Comprehensive: Accept detailed input parameters like hash rate, power consumption, electricity costs, and mining fees.
Accurate: Use real-time data for cryptocurrency prices, network difficulty, and rewards.
Versatile: Support multiple cryptocurrencies and mining algorithms.
Insightful: Provide profitability metrics (daily, monthly, annual earnings) and ROI analysis.
User-Friendly: Feature an intuitive interface for all experience levels.
Educational: Include guides to explain profitability factors and assumptions.
Hardware-Aware: Offer mining hardware comparisons for better decision-making.

These features ensure clear, tailored, and practical insights into mining profitability.

Here’s a quick guide:

- Use MiningRigRentals (MRR) for more flexibility compared to NiceHash.
- Ensure your FutureBit node is configured to accept external connections (set up port forwarding and secure access).
- Rent hashpower from MRR and input your node’s IP and port into the rental settings.
- Keep an eye on the performance to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Welcome to the world of mining!
While it's technically possible to mine Bitcoin with a high-end laptop or PC, it’s generally not profitable. Bitcoin mining has become very competitive and relies on specialized, high-power devices called ASIC miners. Laptops and PCs don’t have the power to compete effectively and can overheat or wear out quickly if used for mining. 
If you’re interested in getting started with mining without the need for expensive equipment, cloud mining could be a good option. Cloud mining allows you to rent mining power from a provider that operates large mining farms. This way, you can participate in mining without needing to set up hardware or worry about maintenance costs. It’s a more beginner-friendly approach to mining and a good way to test the waters without a big upfront investment. Just make sure to choose a reputable provider to maximize your chances of seeing returns! 

While most Bitcoin mining pools don't impose strict limits on the number of miners, some smaller or specialized pools may have restrictions to maintain efficiency and manage resources effectively. Joining a smaller pool can potentially lead to larger individual rewards when a block is found, but it's important to consider the trade-off: smaller pools find blocks less frequently, which can result in more variable and less predictable payouts.
While physical mining pools may not have strict limits on the number of miners, cloud mining providers often allocate their own mining power to specific pools. By choosing a cloud mining contract, you could effectively "join" a smaller or mid-sized pool managed by the provider, where they handle the pool selection, mining efficiency, and payout consistency.
Cloud mining is generally more hands-off, so you won’t control the exact pool, but some providers give options on the mining pool type or reward structure. This way, cloud mining can give you access to reliable mining rewards without needing to maintain or manage hardware directly. Just be sure to review the provider’s pool affiliation and payout approach to ensure it aligns with your goals for consistent or potentially larger rewards.

Using your solar setup for Bitcoin mining could be a smart move, especially with your free energy. With a stable output of 3 kW in winter and up to 100 kW in summer, you’ve got a solid foundation for mining. Investing in efficient ASIC miners can improve your ROI, though Bitcoin's price fluctuations are always a factor to consider. Since energy is your main expense in mining, your setup minimizes this risk.

If you'd rather not manage the equipment directly, cloud mining could be an option, letting you buy contracts and earn from mining without handling hardware. Just make sure to pick a reputable provider if you go this route.

Direct contracts with power suppliers could benefit not just traditional miners but also cloud mining operations. Cloud mining providers rely heavily on electricity costs as one of their main expenses, so securing lower rates through direct power contracts would allow them to reduce their overhead. This, in turn, could translate to better profit margins or more competitive pricing for cloud mining customers.
Additionally, with cloud mining, there's an opportunity for providers to pass on the benefits of eco-friendly energy sources to a broader audience. By choosing sustainable power sources, cloud mining platforms can offer greener mining options to their users, making it easier for individual investors to participate in eco-conscious crypto mining without needing their own infrastructure.