Shared Solar FAQ

How much does Shared Solar cost?
Participants pay a one-time participation fee of $47.25 per share at sign-up.  
 
The Shared Solar electricity rate is currently $0.101 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) and will not increase throughout the life of the program. Participants also pay a reduced transmission service rate (currently $0.008 per kWh) on all Shared Solar energy billed. This is 50% of the standard transmission service rate and reflects the benefit of local solar in reducing transmission costs. This rate will be periodically reviewed by the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. Including all rates, the Shared Solar rate is $0.109 per kWh.
 
The total impact to your bill will vary based on your usage and participation level, but the average residential customer will see only a minor monthly increase. The infographics below show our estimated impacts to an average single-family home and an average apartment or condo.

     

How does this look on my bill?
Each billing period, MGE will calculate how much of the solar electricity is allocated based on the total generation of the Shared Solar arrays. This is your Customer Solar Output. The electricity allocated from Shared Solar replaces that from our standard electricity mix and will be shown on your bill.  

An average MGE customer using 6,000 kWh per year who chooses to offset 50% of their energy would pay about $2.75 per month more for their electricity in the first year. This customer also would pay $425.25 for the participation fee when signing up ($47.25 per share multiplied by the nine shares they requested). The rest of the electricity is billed at the standard rate. 

What if I am on Time-of-Use?
For our customers who are on a Time-of-Use rate, the solar energy supplied through Shared Solar will replace electricity in your time-of-use periods in proportion to your use in those periods. 

For example, if you use 30% of your total energy evenly across the three on-peak periods, your Customer Solar Output would be allocated at 10% for each of those periods (for a total of 30%). Also, 100% of your Customer Solar Output will be allocated to your base energy rate.


How much energy can residential participants purchase?
Participants are able to purchase up to 50% of their annual electricity use from the Shared Solar program, based on eligibility at the time of sign-up.   
 
For example, if a participant used an average of 6,000 kWh annually, they would be eligible to purchase up to 50% of this total, equaling nine shares, which would produce about 2,925 kWh of solar energy per year. 
 
The Shared Solar energy for which participants are billed is 100% of their electricity consumption or the electricity allocated from their share of the project during the month, whichever is less.  

The table below shows potential share options, the participation fee associated with that share size and the estimated energy produced (kWh) by that number of blocks each month. 

Participants are able to buy up to 50% of an eligible meter's annual electricity consumption.  
 
For example, if an eligible service meter used an average of 50,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, you could potentially purchase up to 76 shares, which is projected to produce about half that total annually (24,700 kWh). The participation fee for this election is $3,591 ($47.25 x 76 shares). The number of available shares to purchase may also be limited by an unusually low monthly consumption from the previous 12 months. The forecasted monthly energy production of the number of shares purchased may never exceed the monthly consumption.  
 
The Shared Solar energy for which participants are billed is 100% of their electricity consumption or the electricity allocated from their share of the project during the month, whichever is less.

Can I transfer my shares from one business location to another? 
If you move your business to a new location within MGE's electric service territory, your program participation may transfer to your new MGE electric account. MGE will work with you to determine if your shares are eligible for transfer. Participation ends if you move your business outside of MGE's electric service area. 

Can I say my business is using renewable energy through my Shared Solar subscription? 
Yes! Our team can work with you on some of the options available for customers who are participating in Shared Solar to help promote your support for clean energy and commitment to sustainability.
 
The energy you are purchasing through the Shared Solar program feeds our community grid. Your support for Shared Solar also helps us reach shared energy goals for our community. MGE is targeting net-zero carbon electricity by the year 2050. By partnering with our customers through programs such as Shared Solar, we can meet our goal. 

How does the solar production of my shares align with my time-of-use electric rates? 
Each month, a share will have a production profile based on overall solar generation that will be credited back to Shared Solar participants. The solar energy supplied through Shared Solar will replace an equal amount of kWh for which the customer would otherwise be billed the applicable electricity service per kWh charges. When applicable, these kWh will be replaced across time-of-use periods in proportion to the customer's usage across these periods. 

For example, if you use 30% of your total energy evenly across the three on-peak periods, your Customer Solar Output would be allocated at 10% for each of those periods (for a total of 30%). Also, 100% of your Customer Solar Output will be allocated to your base energy rate. 

What happens if my business moves to a rate class that is no longer eligible to participate in Shared Solar? 
Based on program requirements, your participation would end. The up-front participation fee is nonrefundable. 

What happens once the project is fully subscribed? 
Once the project is fully subscribed, other interested customers will be placed on a waiting list. If portions of the project become available (previous participant moves out of the electric service area or otherwise chooses to exit) within the first three years, MGE will offer available shares to the next customer on the waiting list. 

How can I power my business using 100% renewable energy? 
For customers who sign up for Shared Solar for up to half of their annual electric use but would like to power their business with 100% renewable energy, MGE also offers our Green Power Tomorrow (GPT) program. Subscribers to GPT pay one cent more than their standard per-kWh electric rate to receive a percentage or specific dollar amount of their electricity from wind and solar resources in our region. MGE business customers may sign up to purchase a percentage (1% to 100%) of their monthly electricity use through GPT, or since electricity use can vary, customers can choose instead to purchase a specific dollar amount of GPT electricity each month. Both voluntary programs support the growth of renewable energy. 

Shared Solar participants reserve a share of the electricity generated by a solar array in our community. GPT participants support wind and solar resources feeding our grid from throughout the region. 

If your business has meters on Rate Schedules Cg-2 or Cg-6, then your business may be eligible for a Renewable Energy Rider (RER). Under the RER, MGE works with your business to develop a contract to serve all or a significant portion of the electric needs of your business with renewable generation. The customer is responsible for costs associated with sourcing the renewable generation and any distribution costs to deliver the energy to your business. 

Can I cancel my participation? 
Yes. You can leave the Shared Solar program at any time. When you notify us, MGE will resume billing you for all of your electricity use at the standard rates. The up-front participation fee is nonrefundable. 

How do I complete my Service Agreement?
For detailed information on how to complete your Shared Solar Service Agreement via DocuSign, visit mge.com/SharedSolarContract.

How can I learn more? 
Commercial customers can call (608) 252-7007 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email sharedsolarbiz@mge.com. 

• The expansion has reduced the monthly rate and requires a new customer agreement. If you haven’t already, you will receive a new customer agreement via email that will update your existing rate to the new, lower rate. Upon execution of the new agreement, you will enjoy the benefits of the new Cs-1 rate and the other proposed changes below. If you are eligible for more shares, your new agreement will include the option to add more shares. Please contact us at SharedSolar@mge.com or our Home Energy Line at (608) 252-7117 to request your new agreement if you have not received one yet.
• Shared Solar is now available to residential customers who have signed up for or would like to join our time-of-use program, as well as to small and mid-size business customers.
• The 12-share participation cap has been removed. Participants are able to purchase up to 50% of their annual electricity use. If you have not signed your new Customer Agreement, we will calculate your eligibility and include the additional eligible shares in your new agreement as an option.