Experimental Advanced Renewable Program

Your Business

Consumers Energy is accepting applications for a limited number of customers that generate electricity using solar photovoltaic systems and want to sell it back to the utility for a set price.

This pilot program is called Experimental Advanced Renewable Program (EARP) and is part of the Renewable Energy Plan outlined in state law as part of public act 295 of 2008. The program is limited to 2,000 kilowatts (kW) of capacity, with 500 kW reserved for residential systems.

How the Program Works

Rates
The program offers the following rates for energy produced by qualifying solar photovoltaic systems:

For the first 250 kW of residential capacity, the EARP rate is $0.65/kilowatt-hour (kWh). For the second 250 kW of residential capacity, the EARP rate is $0.525/kWh. A residential system that is offered the $0.65/kWh rate must be installed by May 1, 2010 to qualify.

For the first 750 kW of nonresidential capacity, the EARP rate is $0.45/kWh. For the second 750 kW of nonresidential capacity the EARP rate is $0.375/kWh. A nonresidential system that is offered the $0.45/kWh rate must be installed by May 1, 2010 to qualify.

The rates paid to participant systems will be fixed under contract for up to 12 years. Residential systems must have a DC nameplate capacity of at least 1 kW, with a maximum capacity of 20 kW. Commercial (nonresidential) systems must have a minimum nameplate capacity of 20 kW, with a maximum capacity of 150 kW.

Systems equipped with a battery back up system or other energy storage systems will not be allowed to participate under the EARP pilot. Energy produced by the solar energy system must be metered separately from the customer’s existing electric service, and the utility will own any renewable energy credits and capacity associated with the system.

Any energy consumed by the system when not operating will be billed at the customer's normal retail rate GS for kWh units, with all associated taxes and fees. Participants also will be assessed a System Access Charge equivalent to the existing distribution customer account used to qualify for the program to cover metering costs.

Qualifications

To qualify for the program, the solar photovoltaic system must be owned by the Consumers Energy account holder and must be installed on the premises of the existing account or on a contiguous adjacent property owned or leased by the account holder. Installed systems must be manufactured in Michigan or constructed by a Michigan work force to qualify.

Experimental Advanced Renewable Program

Interconnection Process

Get Application

How the Program Works

View Tariffs

Qualifications

Questions