Madison Gas & Electric - Clean Power Partner Solar Buyback Program

Summary

The Clean Power Partners Program has reached the 1 MW cap. Applicants can be placed on a waiting list or participate in MGE's net metering program.

Customer-generators enrolled in the Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) green power purchase program (Green Power Tomorrow) are eligible to receive a special rate for the power produced from solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Under this program, the electricity produced from 1 to 10 kilowatt (kW-DC) PV systems will be purchased by MGE at a rate of $0.25/kilowatt-hour (kWh). This rate will apply to all electricity produced by the system. As the program is limited to Green Power Tomorrow participants, customers will purchase electricity from the utility at the normal retail rate plus the green power premium (currently $0.0125/kWh).

Annual green energy purchases must be at least as large as the AC output of the PV system. This arrangement requires that the customer have two electricity meters: one to measure electricity production and one to measure electricity consumption. MGE will provide the additional meter but the customer must pay for an electrician to supply and install a two-meter socket and any other modifications necessary for system function.

Only PV systems installed after March 6, 2007 are eligible for this program. The favorable purchase rate does not apply to other types of customer-owned renewable energy systems, however, such systems remain eligible for net metering provided they meet the state requirements. Participants must sign a 10-year contract with MGE but may opt-out with 30 days notice. Systems must be designed and installed to comply with Wisconsin interconnection standards . Any renewable energy credits (RECs), emission allowances, or other environmental attributes generated by the system while the contract is in force will accrue to MGE rather than the customer-generator. The overall enrollment for this program is capped at 1,000 kW.

Further information on this program is available from the program website or through consultation with the utility.