Member-owners and Cooperatives must work together to obtain an interconnection agreement, connect the system to the grid, and must follow Cooperative policies and applicable State and/or Federal laws. 

Electric cooperatives will always support what is in the best interest of members.  Involving the cooperative early in the process will ensure the best possible outcome for you. Your cooperative partner can:

• explain the interconnection process
• assist with the application
• discuss net billing payment terms and rate (Policy 36)
• provide accurate data on how much electricity you use
• ensure your system is safe
• coordinate required interconnection work needed from the cooperative.
   

MYTH: Solar contractors/salesmen are your best source of information for distributed generation, including solar power.

Perhaps. No one knows solar installations better than the contractor.  Likewise, no one knows electricity better than your electric cooperative.  If you’re considering solar for your home, the best solution is to contact your local co-op first to establish a contractor-homeowner-cooperative partnership early in the process so there are no surprises.

Talk to credible, reputable sources that can help you understand the economics of an installation, including the best location/type of renewable energy for your property, current incentives, and insurance requirements.  When choosing a solar vendor, always ask for (and check) references, customer reviews, and ask for third-party input from credible sources. 

Learn about scams linked to Solar Energy from a Consumer Advisory Report from the US Department of Treasury. 

Before you sign a solar contract, gather several quotes for the same sized system from different installers, weatherize your home, compare your homes energy needs to both the minimum and maximum amounts of power the solar array size can produce. Ask if the contracts include a "performance guarantee" and how the solar installation company will pay if the system doesn't produce the minimum amount of power. 

Research information about the costs of maintenance, repair, and the removing or transferring solar panels.

Your local Co-op can help you understand rate structure and the type of charges you will incur, along with how you will be compensated for excess energy you generate, and the limits on the size of system. 

A common misleading narrative is "you won't have a electricity bill." With solar, it is a shift in how and when you use energy that saves you money on your electric bills. Using the energy your array is producing when it is producing it, is the best practice in saving money. When the sun isn't shining, your home is consuming energy from the electric distribution grid. The fixed costs of providing energy to your location remain in place; the Service Delivery Charge and Power Supplier Demand (starting May of 2025). 

Current Rate Policies for Solar and other renewable energy can be found HERE.

MYTH: Your electric bill will be reduced to zero or near zero as a result of your solar panels.

False. Electric cooperatives have been tracking member-owned generation along with cooperative-owned community solar panel production for more than 15 years.  These records show a typical home installation will send about 60% of its generated power back to the grid over the course of a year. In any year, there will be days when the sky is cloudy. Your panels may also be covered by snow or ice, limiting generation. The power your system generates will help offset the energy charge (“Power Supplier Energy”) and potentially lower Demand (“Power Supplier Demand”) on your electric bill. It will not cover other fees, such as the Service Delivery Charge or Distribution Grid fee which pays to maintain a reliable electric grid for all MJM Members.

You will be responsible for the costs to install the system, ongoing maintenance, and repair. Research to determine if a renewable system is economical for your unique energy needs. 

Is it too Good to be True?

Many solar companies are advertising zero money down or no additional costs to entice people into purchasing solar panels for their homes. These types of offers may be true, but it is extremely important to ask the necessary questions to understand the full costs of a potential solar system. It may be a great deal but having all the facts, including the full costs from design to install, is the only way to know. Consumer Advisory Document from the U.S Department of the Treasury.

Homeowners Insurance

More than likely, your homeowner’s insurance premium will go up as you add solar panels to your house and insurance coverage. This is primarily due to the fact solar panels are still quite expensive, and adding the replacement cost is likely to increase your coverage limit.

Home Resale

If your solar panel system is financed through a loan that is not tied to your property, you can sell your home and move prior to paying off the loan. However, it is important to remember, you are still obligated to pay off the remainder of the loan even if you no longer live in the home with the installed system. If you are leasing the panels, you need to check with your solar contractor to see if the lease is transferable to the new homeowners.

Roof Repairs

There’s no way around it: your solar panels will have to come down to replace your roof. This means you’ll lose access to your renewable energy during a roof replacement. Unfortunately, adding solar panels to your home’s roof means higher maintenance costs because the panels must be removed before replacing or repairing the roof.

MYTH: Solar panels are good options for members on low income or who struggle to pay their electric bills.

False. Zero money down solar system installation offers may seem enticing for those who currently have difficulty paying their bill.  However, we urge extra caution when considering this kind of contract. Be wary of something that sounds too good to be true.  These offers sometimes come with inflated costs, high-interest rates and extended payment terms and all too often the promise of lower to even no electric bill. Remember: even if you lower your electric bill, you are adding a payment, with interest, for the solar array. By the time you pay off the solar panels, they likely will need to be replaced. Your electric cooperative has been your trusted energy advisor for more than 85 years and we would be glad to assist you in this process.

Privately-owned solar and wind systems are connected to the grid. To have reliable electric service when your system isn’t providing enough energy, your Electric Cooperative provides backup electricity.  All interconnection and safety requirements must be met before operating the system. This is necessary to protect other Member-Owners, Co-op employees, public safety personnel, and the public from risks that could result from improper installation.

Safety Concerns

Solar systems that are not properly installed and maintained can cause major safety concerns for the cooperative lineworkers and other who could possibly come in contact with the power lines.

Photovoltaic systems are a big concern to firefighters, who often need to access the roof to put out a fire. They need to be confident that they won’t be electrocuted while fighting the fire. For this reason, it is vital that a PV system have an emergency shut off installed where it can be quickly accessed.

Reliability Concerns

Most solar systems are connected to the grid. Because of the two-way flow of electricity, excess energy the system collects during the day flows into your cooperative’s lines. Improper connection and maintenance may endanger people and the reliability of the grid.

Speaking of reliability did you know without batteries a solar array will shut down when the power is lost from the co-op.