Simple Renewable Program
You Could Earn Credits for Renewable Energy You Generate
The Simple Renewable Program (SRP) allows residential and commercial customers to get paid for excess energy sent back to the grid. Through this program, eligible renewable wind or solar systems can be tied right into the grid. They can also provide energy which lowers demand.
You get paid in the form of credits for energy you generate. This is based on a competitive bidding process approved by the MPSC. For more information on credits and how they work, please see our credit details section below. Note that SRP is only eligible for generators up to 150 kW AC.
Program Requirements
System Size
Qualifying facility 150 kW AC or below
Meter Requirement
AMI Smart Meter
Term
Minimum term length is 5 years
Billing
Inflow will be billed according to the customer’s retail rate schedule. This includes surcharges, and Power Supply Cost Recovery (PSCR) Factor on metered inflow for the billing period or time-based pricing period.
Credit
Credits are earned for the billing period or time-based pricing period. Credits will be used to offset charges on the current month’s bill.
How to Enroll
You can join the Simple Renewable Program if:
1. You are a full service customer that is generating some or all of your own electricity. Your generator should have a maximum capacity of 150 kW AC.
2. You meet one of the following standards:
- Experimental Advanced Renewable Program (“EARP”) participants whose contracts are ending and whose facilities do not qualify for the Distributed Generation Program.
- EARP participants whose contracts are ending and who do not wish to join the Distributed Generation Program; and
- Non-EARP customers whose systems permanently or temporarily exceed the consumption-based size limits as noted in the Distributed Generation Program.
For more information, please see our terms and definitions below.
To get started:
- Complete the Interconnection Application (Level 1-3 Application): This form includes contact information, generation type and system size. You’ll be asked to pay a $150 fee. If you have questions, call us at 517-788-2119 or email us at Customer.Generation@cmsenergy.com.
- Make sure your generating system meets the approved specs submitted in your application.
- Perform a commissioning test to make sure your generator can connect safely to the grid.
- Sign the Generator Interconnection Operating Agreement (GIOA). Before signing, check to make sure that all the information on your newly installed system is correct. If you plan to make changes to your system in the future, you must let us know ahead of time.
Customers that own 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. This will start the interconnection agreement transfer process.
Processing can take up to one month to complete. Credits will be applied starting the date the new account holder has set up electric service. Please note that the existing system was designed based off the previous account holder’s electric use.
Step 1: New Account holder transfers electric service by calling Customer Service at (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: The transfer application will be reviewed. A draft of the new Interconnection Agreement will be put together within ten business days.
Step 4: The received payment will be verified. The Agreement will be sent 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: The account will be rebilled from the date electric service was established within ten business days.
For a helpful resource in finding a renewable installer, please visit MichiganSaves.org. Michigan Saves investigates contractors using an in-depth process and provides a directory of contractors in your area.
For your safety, please do not share personal information or energy details with parties that:
- Promise or advertise that you will not receive an electric bill. Even with the best renewable design, you will still have a bill for certain surcharges that is based on your monthly load values.
- Claim you can be independent from using energy from the grid. Unless you end your electrical service from your utility provider, you will still have load requirements from the utility provider.
- Promise or advertise that you will not have to pay for solar equipment when choosing their company. Grants and other rebates may exist, but these are independent processes from Consumers Energy. You will be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of your renewable equipment.
- Offer solar equipment with no upfront cost when choosing their company
Consumers Energy does not endorse, certify, or recommend renewable contractors. In addition, Consumers Energy does not go door-to-door to promote its programs.
To confirm that any person on your site works for us, please look for:
- A company vehicle with a logo
- An employee wearing company apparel
- A representative’s badge or employee number
New full avoided costs rates stemming from competitive bids will be filed with the Commission for review. Approval will occur at least every five years or whenever a competitive bid names a rate change of at least 15% in either direction. The current outflow credit rate is $0.046/kWh. Excess credits add up and are carried over month to month. These credits can only be applied to energy charge, distribution and Power Supply Cost Recovery (PSCR) line Items.
- Full Retail Rate – the power supply and distribution components of the cost of electric service. Full Retail Rate does not include surcharges, the system access charge or other surcharges that are assessed on a per meter basis.
- Inflow – the metered inflow delivered by the Company to the customer during the billing month or time-based period.
- Outflow – the metered quantity of the customer’s generation that is not used on site and is exported to the utility during the billing month or time-based period.
- Qualifying Facility (“QF”) – a facility as defined under Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) that must meet the requirements established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Resources and Forms You May Need