Michigan Solar & Wind Power Solutions

Consumers Energy Pushing for Feed-In-Tariff 02/27/2009

Posted by Mark Hagerty

If you are in the Consumers Energy electrical service area, this is great for you!  Consumers Energy has filed a petition with the Michigan Public Services Commission for a pilot Feed-In-Tariff program.  Feed-in-Tariff's are programs that allowed Germany (who receives less sun, on an annual bases, then Michigan) to exceed their goal of 20% renewable energy by 2020.  The plan calls for a twelve year contract, between you and them, where they are obligated to pay you, for your solar generated.  In 2009, for residential, the rate is .65 cents a kwh. This is 500% more then you are paying them for it.  In 2010 and beyond it is .525 cents a kwh, for residential.  The commercial rates are .45 cents (2009) and .375 cents a kwh (2010).  The pilot program has been criticized for being small and limited, but it is still a game changer. 

With the utility companies required to sell 10% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2015, it will be interesting to see if this program gets expanded and to see whether DTE gets involved.