DTE Billing & Credits for Michigan Solar Customers

For newer DTE solar customers, understanding how billing works is critical to setting realistic expectations. DTE no longer bills new solar customers under traditional net metering, and long-time customers who were previously enrolled in net metering have now transitioned into a Distributed Generation program. Instead of solar credits simply canceling out usage, DTE bills solar customers under this structure that separates grid electricity from solar production.

DTE customers who installed solar under earlier net metering programs were enrolled under different billing rules than today’s customers. Over time, many of those legacy programs have been closed or transitioned as tariffs changed. Whether a customer retained net metering benefits depended on installation date and enrollment terms, which is why neighbors with similar systems may see very different bills.

Let’s break down how DTE applies charges and solar credits in practice. You’ll see which line items remain on your bill, how credits are calculated under DTE’s rules, and why most customers continue to carry a monthly balance even after going solar.

How DTE Bills Solar Customers

Installing solar does not eliminate your relationship with DTE in the vast majority of cases. The only exception is for fully off-grid solar systems, which are uncommon and heavily restricted or blocked in most urban areas.

For grid-tied DTE customers, your home remains connected to the power grid, and your bill reflects both electricity you use from the grid and credits for excess solar energy sent back to it.

DTE tracks two key values on your meter:

• Electricity pulled from the grid (inflow)
• Excess solar energy exported to the grid (outflow)

Electricity you pull from the grid is billed at standard retail rates. Electricity you export earns a credit at a lower rate set through DTE’s Distributed Generation program. These values appear separately on your bill rather than being netted together.

Some DTE customers are enrolled in time-of-use rate plans, where electricity prices vary by time of day. While time-of-use rates affect the cost of electricity you pull from the grid, solar export credits are not increased during peak periods. This means exporting solar energy during higher-priced hours does not earn a premium credit, making direct self-consumption especially important for time-of-use customers.

What Solar Credits Offset on a DTE Bill

DTE solar credits are applied as dollar credits, not as one-to-one energy offsets. This means credits reduce certain portions of your bill but do not eliminate all charges.

Solar credits typically apply to:

• Energy supply charges associated with exported electricity

Solar credits do not offset:

• Fixed customer charges
• Grid delivery and distribution charges
• Certain riders and surcharges
• Taxes and fees

Because of this structure, most DTE solar customers continue to receive a monthly bill even during high-production months. Solar systems with battery storage may reduce grid reliance further by storing excess solar energy for later use, but DTE billing still includes unavoidable utility charges.

Under DTE’s program, solar credits are based on the value of the electricity supply portion of your bill rather than the full retail rate. Credits do not include grid delivery, distribution, or infrastructure costs, which is why exported solar energy is valued lower than electricity you purchase from the grid. Credit rates are set through regulatory processes and can change over time as utility costs and policies evolve.

New solar customers may notice that credits do not appear immediately on their first bill after installation. In some cases, solar production and credits can lag by a billing cycle, especially around permission to operate dates or partial billing periods. It is common for the first one or two bills to look unusual before billing and crediting fully normalize.

Why Your DTE Bill Changes Month to Month

Solar production and electricity usage are not constant throughout the year, as they can vary based on temperature, cover, sunlight, and other factors impacting energy production. DTE bills often fluctuate significantly by season, even for homes with well-designed solar systems.

Common seasonal patterns include:

• Spring and summer months with higher solar production and lower grid usage
• Fall shoulder seasons with moderate production and balanced usage
• Winter months with reduced solar output and higher grid reliance

Do DTE Solar Credits Roll Over?

Yes. DTE solar credits earned during strong production months may roll forward as dollar credits, but they are usually applied quickly during winter when grid usage increases. Credits reduce your bill balance but do not generate cash payouts or long-term surplus value.

Solar credits reduce future bill balances but are not paid out as cash and are not intended to accumulate indefinitely. In most cases, credits earned during high-production months are used within the same year as seasonal usage increases. Long-term surplus balances are uncommon under DTE’s billing structure.

Interconnection and Permission to Operate With DTE

Before a solar system can operate and earn credits, it must go through DTE’s interconnection process. This process ensures your system is safely designed and compatible with the local grid.

The process generally includes:

• Submitting an interconnection application with system and equipment details
• Receiving approval to install
• Completing installation and inspections
• Receiving final permission to operate from DTE

Solar systems must remain inactive until permission to operate is granted, even if installation is complete.

Is Solar Still Worth It for DTE Customers?

For many homeowners and businesses, solar can still provide long-term value under DTE’s current billing structure. The key is understanding how DTE applies charges and credits and designing systems around realistic usage rather than outdated net metering assumptions.

Customers who understand their bills and work with experienced Michigan installers tend to see the most consistent results.

For a deeper explanation of the billing framework behind DTE’s program, see our guide to Distributed Generation and how it differs from net metering.