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Municipal utility

Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) interconnection application

Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) is a municipal utility serving 385,015 residential customers in Tennessee (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: PDF + email (MLGW Application for Interconnection of Distributed Generation - PDFs emailed to solar@mlgw.org; fee check by mail/delivery). Gridpol files Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) interconnection applications for licensed installers – solar, storage and EV chargers – with single-line diagram and site plan, unlimited for $500 a month.

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Process verified from Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW)’s official sources (see below). Confirmed from MLGW process overview and application. Verify on first project: minimum insurance amount and any size limits in MLGW DG Interconnection Procedures.

Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) at a glance

Utility

City of Memphis (TVA local power company (municipal))

Type

Municipal utility

EIA utility ID

12293

Residential customers

385,015 (EIA-861, 2025)

Net-metered residential customers

none reported

Service territory

1 county in Tennessee

How to apply

PDF + email – MLGW Application for Interconnection of Distributed Generation - PDFs emailed to solar@mlgw.org; fee check by mail/delivery · official link

Who submits

Customer or contractor submits; application must be signed by the MLGW Customer of Record (ink or DocuSign). System owner (if different) must also sign interconnection agreement. Project contact copied on status emails.

Export compensation

Avoided cost – Option A Self-Generation (no compensation for excess); Option B TVA Dispersed Power Production (sell 100%); Option C Self-Generation + DPP (sell excess)
No net metering. DPP: 5-year TVA agreement at monthly-varying avoided cost, paid by TVA direct deposit. Options A and C carry monthly MLGW Electric Service Availability charge; all options need separate generation meter. TVA (wholesale supplier) role: Tennessee has no state net metering mandate and the TN PUC does not regulate TVA local power companies (LPCs); the LPC sets its own interconnection rules under its TVA wholesale contract. For export compensation from TVA, the customer first establishes an interconnection agreement with the LPC and can then register in TVA's Dispersed Power Production (DPP) program to sell all or excess generation to TVA at avoided cost (time-of-day rates); metering at customer expense to TVA specs. Some LPCs (under TVA Long-Term Partnership flexibility) instead buy excess generation in their own programs.

Review time (official)

Most applications reviewed within 4-5 weeks (MLGW DG Process Overview, rev. 5/5/2025); construction cost quote generally mailed in 4-8 weeks.

Wholesale supplier / association

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) - local power company (distributor) network · TVA Dispersed Power Production (DPP) Guidelines + Dispersed Power Price Schedule CSPP (Attachment A)

Documents Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) asks for

Interconnection application formApplication for Interconnection of Distributed Generation (rev. 9/1/2023) incl. installer and electrical contractor license numbers, generation and storage data Gridpol prepares this.
Customer signatureMLGW Customer of Record
Single-line diagram (one-line)Detailed electrical single-line diagram (or electrical permit plan set) with PV panels, inverters, AC disconnect, breakers, relays, batteries, billing meter location and POI Gridpol prepares this.
PV module spec sheetManufacturer spec sheets showing NRTL listing
Inverter spec sheetManufacturer spec sheets
Battery spec sheet (when applicable)Battery manufacturer, model, quantity, kW AC and kWh per battery
Interconnection agreementMLGW Interconnection and Parallel Operation Agreement, signed after approval
Proof of insuranceLiability insurance documentation returned with signed agreement
Final inspection sign-offMemphis/Shelby County Office of Construction Code Enforcement final inspection (electronic notice to MLGW)

How the Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) process runs

Choose option (SG / DPP / SG+DPP).
Customer or contractor emails application + single-line + spec sheets to solar@mlgw.org; mail fee check. Do not buy/install before approval.
Contractor submits to local Code Enforcement in parallel.
MLGW technical review (4-5 weeks; study if needed); approval notice and Interconnection and Parallel Operation Agreement.
Customer signs agreement + liability insurance; MLGW executes.
Pay construction cost quote (Work Request); contractor picks up generation meter socket at MLGW Electric Meter Shop.
Install; Code Enforcement final inspection notifies MLGW electronically.
MLGW construction, socket wiring verification and generation meter installation; system stays OFF.
Email solar@mlgw.org for System Acceptance Test; contractor/customer present; on pass, verbal authorization then signed DG System Acceptance Form.
For DPP options: pursue DPP contract with TVA after agreement execution.

Fees

Fee	Applies to	Note
$250 + $5/kW	Residential application	Check payable to MLGW; review starts only after payment
$500 + $5/kW	Non-residential application
Construction quote	Generation meter + socket, meter installation, upgrades, one System Acceptance Test	Must be paid before work proceeds
$200	Repeat System Acceptance Test after failure (initial test free for TVA Green Connect projects)

Utility fees are paid by the installer or customer; they are not part of the Gridpol plan.

Size levels and limits

Level	Up to	Note

No size tiers published; interconnection study may be required depending on size/location.

Storage, EV and stamps

Battery storage

Self-Generation and SG+DPP options available with or without battery storage; battery data required on application.

Common issues the utility lists

Incomplete application delays approval; review does not start until fee check is received
Failed System Acceptance Test (incl. incomplete installation) requires fixes and $200 retest fee
Mis-routed fee checks without 'Energy Services Department'

Gridpol’s pre-submission check covers these before we file.

Sources

MLGW Distributed Generation Process Overview (rev. 5/5/2025): https://www.mlgw.com/images/content/files/pdf/MLGW%20Distributed%20Generation%20Process%20Overview_revised%2005052025.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
MLGW Application for Interconnection of Distributed Generation (rev. 9/1/2023): https://www.mlgw.com/images/content/files/pdf/MLGW%20Application%20for%20Interconnection%20of%20small-scale%20onsite%20generation%2009012023.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
MLGW Documents and Forms (Green Power): https://www.mlgw.com/about/greenpowerswitchdocs (retrieved 2026-11-13)
TVA Dispersed Power Production (DPP) Online Registration Process: https://www.tva.com/docs/default-source/1-float/dpp_customer_process_flow_finala99b8478-07f0-4731-89ce-f65bb2799261.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
TVA DPP program guidelines/pricing (Feb 28, 2022): https://www.tva.com/docs/default-source/1-float/march_2022_dpp_documents_for_publishinga32159c4-5499-417b-9b01-71e57b29f6df.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)

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Gridpol Unlimited

$500 / month

Unlimited interconnection applications. 12-month agreement, signed online. The agreement starts the day you sign; first invoice right away, then monthly.

Unlimited interconnection applications
Single-line diagram and site plan for every application
Pre-submission check against the utility’s requirements
Homeowner e-signature link for the authorization
Filing in your utility portal accounts or by the utility’s method
Utility questions, corrections and resubmissions
Follow-up through approval, inspection and PTO
Customer list, exports, API and webhooks

Get started

Applications are typically submitted within 2 business days after complete documents. Utility review times are set by each utility.