Typical customer electric generation technologies include solar photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, and on-farm anaerobic digestion systems. See the State Energy Office website for more detailed information on these generation technologies. Customer generation facilities must be located on the customer's premises.

Customers planning to develop electric generation projects should contact their utility as early in the planning process as possible.  Utility interconnection and net metering contact information is available on the MPSC website.  Customers must follow the Generator Interconnection Requirements approved by the MPSC for their utility. These documents outline the process, requirements, and agreements used to install or modify generation projects designed to operate in parallel with the Utility electric system. Technical requirements (data, equipment, relaying, telemetry, metering) are defined according to type of generation, location of the interconnection, and mode of operation (Flow-back or Non-Flow-back). The process is designed to provide an expeditious interconnection to the Utility electric system that is both safe and reliable. The Project may not commence parallel operation until approval has been given by the utility.  Written approval is specifically required on net metering and parallel operations tariffs for some utilities.  It is recommended that written approval be provided by the utility to the project developer in all instances before any interconnected generator begins operating.

General interconnection requirements were approved by the MPSC in Case No. U-14088 for Alpena Power Company, Consumers Energy Company, The Detroit Edison Company, Edison Sault Electric Company, Upper Peninsula Power Company, Wisconsin Electric Power Company, d/b/a We Energies, Wisconsin Public Service Corporation and MECA (the cooperative utilities). Separate sets of requirements were developed based on the aggregate generator size:

• under 30 kW,
• 30 kW or more but less than 150 kW, 
• 150 kW or more but less than 750 kW,
• 750 kW or more but less than 2 MW, and
• 2 MW or more.

These are the general interconnection requirements approved by the MPSC and should be used for reference only. Each utility will have its own set of documents updated with the necessary utility specific information. The MPSC has approved separate interconnection requirements for Indiana Michigan Power and Xcel Energy that closely match what those companies already have in place for customer generation in other states. ( Indiana Michigan Power Case No. U-14091 and Xcel Energy Case No. U-14085.) To learn how interconnection requirements were developed for Michigan utilities, see the History of Michigan Interconnection Standards document prepared by MPSC Staff.

Michigan utilities have voluntarily developed a statewide program for net metering. Customer generation projects with aggregate generator output less than 30 kW may qualify for a utility's net metering program if one of the eligible generation technologies is selected. If your generation project is 30 kW or larger, contact your utility to find out what options are available.

Contact Julie Baldwin for more information on customer generation.