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We're currently experiencing technical issues displaying account balances after payment. We're sorry for any inconvenience and ask that you return later if you wish to view your balance.

We're currently experiencing technical issues displaying account balances after payment. We're sorry for any inconvenience and ask that you return later if you wish to view your balance.

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As of: 5:43 AM, 12/9/23

Distributed Generation

Please Read:

Please Read:

Consumers Energy is aware of news that Pink Energy has permanently closed. We’re currently working to assess the status of all Pink Energy applications. We understand the uncertainty the situation causes. We plan to contact affected customers with more details and next steps as soon as we can.

Net Metering is now the New Distributed Generation Program

Does your home or business generate solar energy? Our new Distributed Generation program may be for you.

When you become part of the Distributed Generation (DG) program, the energy you generate will decrease your need to buy electricity from us, and we will also credit you for any extra energy you produce. It’s good for the planet, and your energy budget, too.

DG helps you benefit from your solar energy investment and will help power a clean energy future for Michigan. An eligible renewable energy system is required. Check out the details below.

Please Note:
Michigan’s 2016 energy law includes a DG Program to replace the former Net Metering program. Consumers Energy’s DG program took effect Jan. 1, 2021.

Distributed Generation Program Brochure


Program Categories


Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
System Size ≤ 20 kW > 20 to ≤150 kW > 150 to ≤550 kW
(Anaerobic
digestion only)
Meter Requirement Single Meter Two Meters Two Meters
Billing Net power supply and net delivery charges in addition to other fixed fees Net power supply and net delivery charges in addition to other fixed fees Net power supply and net delivery charges in addition to other fixed fees
Credit Excess energy credited at power supply rate including transmission. See Tariff chart C.11.3 for more detail. Excess energy credited at power supply rate including transmission. See Tariff chart C.11.3 for more detail. Excess energy credited at power supply rate including transmission. See Tariff chart C.11.3 for more detail.


How to Enroll


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.

 

Installer Type Company Address
Renewable Installer
Agathon Solar
14721 Cleveland Street Spring Lake, MI 49456
Renewable Installer CBS Solar 16880 Front Street, Copemish MI 49625
Renewable Installer Country Air & Solar Energy LLC 1101 N. Bradley Rd, Charlotte MI 48813
Renewable Installer Ecojiva, LLC 2301 W. Big Beaver Rd, Suite 318, Troy MI 48084
Renewable Installer Four Elements Energy, Inc. 54630 60th Ave, Lawrence MI 49064
Renewable Installer
Global Battery Solutions
581 Ottawa Ave, Suite 100 Holland, MI 49423
Renewable Installer Harvest Solar 2218 E. High St, Jackson MI 49203
Renewable Installer  Helios Solar, LLC   248 W. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007  
Renewable Installer
Homeland Solar
110 Miller Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Renewable Installer J. Ranck Electric, Inc. (Commercial Installations) 1993 Gover Pkwy, Mount Pleasant MI 48858
Renewable Installer Michigan Solar Solutions LLC 509 Sherbrooke, Commerce MI 48382
Renewable Installer  Mid-America Solar, LLC 1971 E. Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Renewable Installer Oak Electric Service Inc. 5492 Dixie Hwy Suite 1 & 2, Waterford MI 48329
Renewable Installer  Quality Solar, LLC  701 W. State Street Saint Johns, MI 48879 
Renewable Installer Rustic Resource Renewable Energy 11290 Strait Rd., Hanover MI 49241
Renewable Installer Solar Joint Ventures LLC. 1904 Woodslee Drive, Troy MI 48083
Renewable Installer Solar King, LLC 4522 Racewood Drive, Commerce MI 48382
Renewable Installer Solar Time Tracker 3725 N. State Rd. 127, Angola, IN 46703
Renewable Installer Solar Winds Power System LLC. 5399 Laura Dr., Shelbyville MI 49344
Renewable Installer Strawberry Solar 2727 2nd Ave. #259, Detroit, MI 48201
Renewable Installer The Green Panel, Inc. 4023 South Old US 23, Brighton MI 48114
Renewable Installer Westbrook Construction, Inc. 7222 Burr St. P.O. Box 214, Benzonia MI 49616

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.

We’re Here to Answer Your Questions


General Interconnection, Net Metering, & Distributed Generation Questions

Customer Generator Program Representatives
517-788-2119

Questions About GIOA, Your Site Plan/One Line Diagram, CTR Report or System Requirements

Distribution Agreements and Attachments Team
customer.generation@cmsenergy.com
517-788-1432

Application Fees or Hard Copy Applications can be Mailed to:

ATTN: Interconnection Coordinator
Rm. P14-206
1945 West Parnall Road
Jackson, MI 49201

Questions About Application Processing, Distributed Generation Program Policy and Generation Meters

Renewable Resources Team
Distributed.Generation@cmsenergy.com

Questions About Billing Concerns or Meter Exchanges

Customer Billing
Poboxbilling_netmetering@cmsenergy.com
(989) 791-5645 Option 4

Questions About Rate Changes

Consumers Energy Customer Service
800-477-5050


Are You a Large Landowner Who Wants to Make a Difference?

Bring Solar to Michigan