Consumers Energy Solar, Net Metering & Rates

What homeowners should know

• Consumers Energy says its Distributed Generation program replaced the former net-metering program and took effect January 1, 2021.
• The program credits qualifying excess renewable generation while on-site solar first reduces the amount of electricity purchased from the utility.
• Level 1 distributed-generation systems are listed as 20 kW or less in the current homeowner program materials.
• Customers still receive charges that are not eliminated by solar generation, including applicable system-access and other non-energy charges.

Important: Utility tariffs change. Confirm the current rate schedule, interconnection agreement and export-compensation rules for your exact account before signing a solar proposal.

Michigan electricity and solar context

The state electricity-rate figure is a statewide EIA benchmark, not the utility tariff on your bill. Utility plans can differ because of time-of-use periods, tiers, fixed charges, riders, supply choice and solar-export treatment.

Official Consumers Energy solar sources

Home Solar Atlas summarizes homeowner-facing rules but treats the utility's current tariff and interconnection documents as the controlling source.

Before you compare installer quotes

• Use 12 months of actual electricity consumption rather than only your average bill.
• Ask the installer which utility rate plan and export-compensation schedule the savings model assumes.
• Separate self-consumed solar value from exported-energy value if the utility uses net billing.
• For time-of-use tariffs, compare when the home imports energy with when solar exports occur.
• Model battery economics separately instead of assuming every exported solar kWh has retail value.