Distributed Generation

You can participate in Distributed Generation if:

1. You have a generator with a system size less than or equal to 150 kilowatts (kW) or a methane digester system less than or equal to 550 kW. You’ll need to project your annual kilowatt-hours.


2. Your generator offsets the electric needs of your home or business.

Please Note: Whenever you make onsite changes that will affect your use, you’ll need to provide additional information and verification about how your annual energy use may change.

For more information, please see our terms and Definitions below.

To get started:

1. Determine your category:
• Level 1: Eligible electric generator(s) with aggregate generation of 20 kW or less that use equipment certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to IEEE 1547.1 testing standards and in compliance with UL 1741 scope 1.1A.
• Level 2: Eligible electric generator(s) with aggregate generation greater than 20 kW and not more than 150 kW.
• Level 3: Methane digester(s) with aggregate generation greater than 150 kW but not more than550 kW.
  
  
Annual energy usage (measured in kWh) is used for program eligibility consideration. Receipts within 3 months of application submission of purchased electric equipment can be provided to supplement what is deemed to be an oversized system. Example support documents can include electric vehicle registration, electric appliance purchases, or heating/cooling replacement purchases. Program eligibility is not granted for an oversized system based on projected future energy use without documentation.

In instances where specific system or site variations will affect expected production, Consumers Energy will accept Solar Production Reports from Design Software.


2. Complete the Interconnection Application (Level 1-3 Application): This form includes contact information, generation type, system size and annual energy use. You’ll be asked to pay a $50 fee. If you have questions, call us at 517-788-2119 or email us at CustomerGeneration@cmsenergy.com
   
   
3. Make sure your generating system meets approved specifications submitted in your application.
   
   
4. Perform a commissioning test to ensure your generator can be safely connected to the grid.
   
   
5. Sign the Generator Interconnection Operating Agreement (GIOA) Before signing, check to be certain that all the information on your newly installed system is accurate. If you plan to make changes to your system in the future, you must notify us ahead of time.

Customers that have acquired a renewable system with an existing Interconnection Agreement are eligible to continue program tenure and receive generation credits. To get started, complete the New Move in Form, which will start the interconnection agreement transfer process.

Processing can take up to one month for completion and credits will be applied starting the date the new account holder has established electric service. Please note that the existing system was designed based off the previous account holder’s electric usage.

Step 1: New Account holder transfers electric service by calling Customer Service at 1 (800) 477-5050.

Step 2: Customer submits a New Move in Form and sends in $25.00 application fee via U.S. mail. 

Step 3: Consumers Energy will review transfer application and draft a new Interconnection Agreement within ten business days.

Step 4: Consumers Energy will verify that a payment has been received and send the Agreement to the customer electronically via DocuSign within three business days.

Step 5: Customer signs the agreement and it is countersigned by a Consumers Energy engineer within three business days.

Step 6: Consumers Energy will rebill the account from the date electric service was established within ten business days.

Level 1: An eligible electric generator creating 20 kilowatts (kW) or less per year at a single site. It must also use equipment certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory to IEEE 1547.1 testing standards and be in compliance with UL 1741 1.1A.

Level 2: An eligible electric generator creating between 20 kW and 150 kW per year at a single site.

Level 3: A methane digester generating between 150 kW and 550 kW per year at a single site.

Eligible Electric Generator: A renewable electric generator or methane digester with a generation capacity outlined in categories 1 through 3 above.

Inflow-Outflow: The power supply and distribution components for the cost of electric service. Full retail rate does not include surcharges, the system access charge of other charges assessed on a per-meter basis.

See more terms and definitions in our tariff.