OUC SunChoice for Your Home

What exactly am I purchasing?
You are not purchasing physical equipment but rather receiving a portion of solar power produced by an existing utility-scale array. You will receive your subscribed amount of solar energy as a percentage of your usage. You only pay a solar rate (in lieu of the fuel rate you would normally pay) to participate—no maintenance fees or installation costs. The solar energy rate effective October 01, 2024, is 4.567¢/kWh in OUC service territory and 4.722¢/kWh in St. Cloud.

Is there a cost to sign up for SunChoice?
One of the benefits of the SunChoice program is that there are no initial enrollment costs, regardless of what percentage you subscribe to.

What will it cost to participate in the program, and is the solar kWh purchase in addition to my normal electric bill?
A solar subscription will incur a solar rate in lieu of the fuel rate for the percentage you subscribe to. For example, if you subscribe at 20%, then 20% of your electric consumption will incur a solar rate* in lieu of the fuel rate, and the remaining 80% of your electric consumption will incur the traditional fuel rate.

You can opt to have a percentage of your electric usage—in 10% increments—at a solar rate in lieu of the normal fuel charge. The minimum subscription required to enroll is 10%. Use our Solar Calculator to quickly estimate the percentage of solar energy that works best for you.

How does the power I subscribe to get to my home or business?
The energy generated by the utility-scale solar farm doesn’t go directly to your home. Instead, it is fed into OUC’s electric grid, helping to offset the use of other energy sources.

What if the solar farm is damaged by weather or can’t produce at its maximum capacity?
OUC’s diverse fuel options ensure power production is never interrupted. If the solar farm were to become unable to produce energy, your home would not be affected.

How much solar energy am I allowed to use?
You can subscribe for all or a portion of your monthly electric bill to be powered by SunChoice solar. You can opt for a percentage of your electric usage in 10% increments. The minimum subscription required to enroll is 10%.

What happens if I don’t subscribe to a large enough percentage to cover all my energy needs?
The percentage of your energy not supplied by solar power will be supplemented with traditional energy options from our diverse fuel portfolio.

What if I want to invest in more solar later on? Can you change the percentage that you initially subscribed to?
As long as the program is not full, you may increase your percentage. This program is popular, so we encourage you to subscribe to the right amount of solar initially. If the program is full, your name will be added to a waiting list and you will be notified when capacity becomes available.

What if the program is fully subscribed?
OUC currently has the capacity to produce 277 MW of solar energy. Once the project is fully subscribed, interested customers will be placed on a waiting list and contacted when additional space becomes available.

If I choose to unsubscribe from the program, can I rejoin?
You can cancel your subscription at any time; however, if you want to rejoin, you’ll need to wait at least 6 months.

What if I sign up for this program and sell my dwelling or move out?
Moving will not affect your participation in the SunChoice program as long as you remain within OUC’s electric service territory. Your subscription can move to your new property or rental with you. If you close your account and do not move within OUC’s electric service area, you will end your service with OUC, including your participation in the SunChoice program.

SunChoice is only available to OUC electric residential and business customers. We accept renters, condo owners and homeowners. It is easy to take your subscription with you wherever you move, as long as you are within OUC’s electric service territory. Those who are currently participating in OUC’s solar PV program, OUC Power Pass or Budget Billing are not eligible.