Install My Own Solar
BWL's Net Metering Program offers customers the ability to generate their own electricity, and support renewable energy. The program enables customers to install a renewable energy system, connect to the electric utility grid, and send electricity back to the grid at times when their generation exceeds their own use.
For questions or more information about solar electricity for your home, email netmetering@lbwl.com or call 800-573-3503.
Step One: Find out if solar is right for you
First, contact BWL to discuss the size of the system you are considering prior to purchasing or installing any equipment. Email netmetering@lbwl.com or call 800-573-3503 for more information.
Read our Selecting a Solar Contractor guide to ensure you hire the right contractor for your project.
Selecting a Solar ContractorStep Two: Make your home energy-efficient
Your best savings will always be the energy you don’t use. To maximize the benefits of your own solar power system, make sure the electricity it generates is not lost to energy-inefficiency in your home or business. Learn more about saving energy and money in your home, as well as rebates and incentives.
Step Three: Making the purchase
You’ve analyzed the savings potential of installing a solar power system and taken steps to make your home more energy efficient. Now it’s time to begin.
Selecting a contractor
To install a solar electricity system on your home or business, you will need to work with a solar contractor. They will help with the permitting and the application process. Talk to more than one contractor to evaluate them on their price and expertise. The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association maintains a list of solar contractors (BWL does not endorse specific contractors.)
Assessing costs
With solar power becoming more available, equipment costs are declining. Installed system costs can be as little as $4-5 per watt or perhaps even less. Financing through Michigan Saves is available for qualifying solar PV systems.
Incentives
BWL offers a solar PV rebate of $500 per installed kilowatt, up to $2,000 (4 kW). The Solar Rebate Application must be submitted to receive this incentive.
Step Four: Submit applications
Before the contractor starts work on your new solar power system, you must submit an Interconnection and Net Metering Application.