Renewable Generation
With the overwhelming amount of information available on renewable energy options for your home or business, DES is here to help customers navigate your best options.
Safety & Compliance
- To ensure public and employee safety, DES does have mandatory requirements for all grid-tied renewable generation.
- If you have an existing generation system that was installed without DES guidance, please contact us immediately so we can help ensure your system’s safety and compliance.
Grid-Tied Generation & Installation
- Each option will include the requirements for installing grid-tied generation.
- Failure to comply with any of the following requirements will result in immediate disconnection from the DES distribution grid.
- To begin the installation of your renewable generating system (such as a solar array), begin by calculating the size of your system. Visit the Tennessee Valley Authority Website to calculate the correct size.
If you are installing generation and need guidance, please contact us at (615) 441-6316.
Compliance, Metering, & System Upgrades
- It is important to follow DES-specified requirements for installing a system.
- If you do not follow grid-tied requirements, you could actually be adding to your electric bill. Since your electric meter does not recognize the direction of energy flow, DES must reprogram your meter to record only the flow of energy from the grid; otherwise, any overproduced energy from your system will be metered as the energy used, actually increasing your power bill.
- If installing your system requires an upgrade to DES’s distribution system (which is not likely), you will be financially responsible for any cost associated with the upgrade.
Green Connect (Available Now!)
If you need assistance in knowing where to start, TVA and Dickson Electric are here to help. Beginning in 2021, customers will be able to find a TVA-vetted contractor through the Green Connect Program who will help guide you through:
- Right-sizing your system for cost efficiency
- Obtaining a quality installation of your system
- Complying with all State of Tennessee and DES requirements
- $50 application fee for Green Connect installations
To learn more about the Green Connect Program or to get started, visit the TVA Green Connect Website.
Choosing A Qualified Solar Installer (PDF)If You Are Not Using a Contractor
- Regardless of contractor use, compliance starts with completing the Interconnection and Parallel Operation Agreement and Interconnection Application.
- DES mandates State of Tennessee electrical inspector and DES representative inspection for all grid-tied generation.
- Refer to the Customer Checklist below for ensuring safe installation of your renewable generation system.
Right-Sizing Your System
- It is important to “right-size” your renewable system (such as solar) since renewable generation premiums are no longer available.
- Visit the Tennessee Valley Authority Website to calculate the appropriate system size to meet your electric needs:
Required Documents for All Scenarios
- Regardless of contractor use, compliance starts with completing the Interconnection and Parallel Operation Agreement and Interconnection Application.
- Refer to the Customer Checklist below for ensuring safe installation of your renewable generation system.
- DES requires all grid-tied generation to pass inspection by the State of Tennessee electrical inspector as well as a DES representative.
Submission of Documents & Application Fee
- Email the executed documents to our customer generation department.
- Pay the $100 application fee at our office or through mail at the provided address (Include your current account number and installation address.)
Dickson Electric System, Attn: Kaci Booker
PO Box 627
Dickson, TN 37056
Renewable (Solar) Connection Options
Configuring Your Renewable Generation System
- There are multiple options for configuring your system.
- Connection Diagrams below are tailored to your energy usage choices.
Energy Usage Options
- You may choose to utilize 100% of generated power or sell some/all to TVA.
- Selling power to TVA necessitates a 5-year Dispersed Power Production (DPP) contract.
- TVA offers generation rates at their monthly posted avoided cost (below 2 cents per kilowatt-hour [kWh]).
For details, visit the TVA website for detailed information.
Please Note: DES charges a monthly fee to report the generation to TVA. Please email our customer generation department for the monthly fee amount.
Self-Generation
- The electricity produced serves the facility’s needs first.
- Any excess electricity is delivered to the power grid without payment.
- If the facility needs additional electricity, it must be bought from DES.
- A meter capable of recording only kW/kWh received will be needed.
- DES will reprogram your current meter to meet this requirement.
Self-Generation and Dispersed Power Contract
- The electricity produced serves the facility’s needs first.
- TVA purchases any excess electricity that is delivered to the grid.
- If the facility needs additional electricity, it must be bought from Dickson Electric.
- A DES bidirectional meter capable of recording kW/kWh received from DES and delivered to the power grid on separate channels is required.
Dispersed Power Sell-All Contract
- All of the electricity produced and delivered to the power grid is sold to TVA.
- The facility buys all of its electricity from DES.
- 2 meters—one for electricity purchased by the customer from DES and one for electricity generated by the customer and sold to TVA—are required.
Self-Generation with Battery Backup
- Generation coupled with a battery for stored energy is configured a bit differently than a normal generation.
- To comply with DES safety requirements for a generation with battery storage, please follow the configuration below.
- This system must be inspected by DES and the State of Tennessee electrical inspector.
Renewable Energy Credits
For DES customers who are unable to accommodate a renewable system, there are still options to reduce your carbon footprint and access “green energy” through the purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs).
What is a Renewable Energy Credit (REC)?
- An REC is a measure for each unit of renewable energy produced.
- One REC equals one megawatt-hour of renewable energy added to the power grid.
- Purchasing an REC grants the legal right to the energy from that source.
- Buying an REC equates to receiving the kWh produced as if it’s flowing to you.
- DES has programs for residential and non-residential customers.
Green Switch
- The Green Switch Program is for residential and business customers. It supports building a market for renewable electricity.
- More demand for renewable generation lowers conventional electricity use in the Tennessee Valley.
- Renewable energy cuts the Valley’s carbon footprint, leading to reduced air pollution and carbon dioxide emissions.
- The current renewable source is 70% solar, 20% wind, and 10% biomass.
Purchase 1 block (200 kWh) for $2 per month added to your monthly power bill.
No contract is required. Unlimited blocks. Customers may opt out at any time.
Visit the links for more information and to enroll:
Green Flex
- Green Flex is a REC program for non-residential customers.
- The resource originates from 100% wind power outside the TVA footprint.
- The minimum annual purchase is 2,000 RECs, each at $1.50.
- You can’t buy over 105% of your yearly electric consumption.
- A one-year contract is mandatory, starting on January 1st each year.
Visit TVA Green Flex for more information and call Kaci Booker at DES at (615) 441-6346 to request a contract.
Green-E Certified
- Both Green Switch and Green Flex are Green-e Energy Certified Products.
- They adhere to standards set by the nonprofit Center for Renewable Resource Solutions.
- Green-e ensures that produced green energy aligns with sold renewable attributes.
- It verifies that RECs aren’t sold multiple times or claimed by multiple parties.
Visit the Green-e Website to learn more.
Other Resources
The Solar Energy Industries Association® is a tremendous resource for consumers who wish to add solar energy to their homes. To understand the basics of solar energy, to review potential options, and to know the right questions to ask your solar installer, download their Residential Consumers Guide.
SEIA Residential Consumer Guide (PDF)