Renewable Energy Programs

Partnering with Members to Support Energy Solutions

Interested in solar or other renewable options? Thumb Electric Cooperative offers programs and guidance to help you install and interconnect your system with confidence. Learn how to get started, understand the requirements, and access the right forms and resources. Explore the options below:

Have questions? Call us at 1-800-327-0166 or 1-989-658-8571.

Community Solar Program

Join TEC’s community solar array without installing panels on your property. Purchase a panel subscription and receive a monthly bill credit based on your panel’s energy output.

  • Cost: $750 upfront or $12.50/month for 60 months

  • Credit: $0.075 per kWh generated (approx. $50/year per panel)

  • Estimated Payback: ~15 years

See Tariff D-28.00.

Distributed Renewable Energy Program

Install your own renewable energy system sized to your past 12 months of usage to offset some of your electric needs.

To determine your annual kilowatt-hour (kWh) usage and the size of the renewable system you may qualify for, please contact the TEC office at 1-989-658-8571.

Please note: The Distributed Renewable Energy Program reimburses energy at the Locational Marginal Price (LMP), which is not a 1-to-1 offset with your retail electric rate. The LMP varies based on market conditions and can fluctuate over time. For more information on how the LMP is calculated and what the average rate has been, please give us a call—we're happy to walk you through the details.

  • Systems: Up to 150 kW

See Tariff D-23.20 / D-23.30 and Tariff D-27.00

Click the links below to view the Distributed Renewable Energy Programs for the following:

Buy-All / Sell All Program

Generate energy on your property and sell all output to TEC at a fixed rate.

  • System Size: Up to 50 kW

  • Purchase Rate: $0.06 per kWh

  • Term: 20-year agreement

  • You continue buying your electricity from TEC at normal rates.

Legacy Programs

Available to existing participants before February 1, 2018.

  • Net Metering (20 kW or less) – Tariff D-23.00

  • Modified Net Metering (20 kW - 150 kW) – Tariff D-23.10

Applications & Agreements

A Cat 1 project is an aggregate system size of 20kW or less.

A Cat 2 project is any aggregate size over 20kW and up to 150kW.

  • To get started, contact the TEC office at 1-989-658-8571. We'll first review your existing electric service to ensure it can support the program requirements. A site visit may be necessary to avoid surprises. After our review, we’ll provide the maximum allowable renewable generation size in kilowatts (kW). From there, you can submit an interconnection application, and we’ll guide you through the process.

  • TEC’s solar program allows members to install renewable generation to offset their usage based on the past 12 months. To find out your annual kilowatt hours and eligible system size, contact the TEC office at 1-989-658-8571.

  • Yes, you may elect to meter the main meter, the dual-fuel meter, or both. Any excess generation will be credited as a dollar amount on the next bill and will apply only to the corresponding meter. Credits from one meter cannot be applied to another.

  • It depends:

    1. If you have a meter-on-pole (MOP) setup, the meter must be moved to a pedestal or building.

    2. If your dual-fuel meter is sub-metered from the main meter, you must either:

      • Rewire it to be separately metered (to remain on the dual-fuel rate), or

      • Retire it and connect the load to the main meter (you’ll lose the dual-fuel rate).
        If your setup can support solar, no upgrade is needed. Otherwise, modifications are required.

  • Yes. A generation disconnect must be within 10 feet of the electric meter with line-of-sight visibility. The wire between the meter and disconnect cannot go inside the building (conduit is acceptable). The disconnect must be fused and have a visual break. Monitoring devices inside the meter base are not allowed.

  • Your project must be inspected and approved by both the county electrical inspector and a TEC employee before being turned on.

  • No. Solar energy production varies by season. Panels typically generate less electricity in winter due to shorter daylight hours and increased cloud cover.

  • Yes, a site visit with a TEC employee is required before you break ground to prevent post-installation design issues and to verify the generation disconnect.

  • A Cat 1 project is an aggregate system size of 20kW or less at one site. A Cat 2 project is any aggregate size over 20kW and up to 150kW at the same site. These categories help determine installation requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Renewable Energy FAQ

Thinking about installing solar panels or other renewable energy systems? Our Distributed Renewable Energy Program makes it easy for members to get started. Below are answers to common questions about program requirements, system sizing, billing, and installation steps to help guide you through the process.