New South Memphis Small Business Solar Net-Metering Law

Utilities and Infrastructure Tennessee 4 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of Tennessee

New South Memphis, Tennessee small businesses can reduce operating costs with rooftop and ground-mounted solar, but installations must follow municipal permitting and the local utility interconnection rules. This guide explains how net metering and small-business solar incentives interact with City of Memphis permitting and Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) interconnection requirements, lists typical approvals and enforcement pathways, and shows practical next steps for employers and facility managers.

What applies in New South Memphis

In New South Memphis the primary controls for siting, construction and code compliance are the City of Memphis building and zoning rules; distributed-generation interconnection and billing practices are administered by the municipal utility. For interconnection requirements and utility procedures see the utility guidance below[1]; for local code rules and permit requirements see the city code and permitting pages[2].

Small businesses should start permit and interconnection talks before purchase or construction.

Eligibility and common incentives

Eligibility for incentives depends on program rules and whether the installation is commercial-scale or behind-the-meter for a single service point. Typical options that may apply to New South Memphis employers include:

  • Net metering or net billing under the utility's distributed generation rules.
  • Federal tax incentives such as the Investment Tax Credit (federal) where applicable; local tax abatements if offered by the City of Memphis or Shelby County.
  • Utility or state rebate windows and grant deadlines.
Confirm incentive eligibility with the utility and your tax adviser before committing to a project.

Interconnection and net metering basics

Small commercial systems typically follow the utility's distributed-generation interconnection process and may require an interconnection agreement, an inspection and a bi-directional meter. Application, technical review, and any required upgrades are administered by the municipal utility; contact the utility early to learn timelines and technical requirements[1].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement in New South Memphis involves both the City of Memphis for building and zoning violations and the municipal utility (MLGW) for violations of interconnection or billing rules. Specific monetary fines, escalation and some enforcement practices are handled in the cited municipal code and utility rules. Where exact penalty amounts or escalation schemes are not listed on the cited pages, this text notes that the figure is not specified on the cited page and directs readers to the enforcing office for details.

  • Enforcer: City of Memphis Building & Zoning departments for permits and code compliance; Memphis Light, Gas and Water for interconnection compliance and meter issues.
  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page for solar or interconnection specific fines; see cited pages for general code penalty provisions.[2]
  • Escalation: first notices, stop-work orders, and repeat violation procedures are used by the city; exact escalation steps or per-day amounts are not specified on the cited pages.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: stop-work orders, permit revocation, orders to remove unauthorized equipment, disconnection or revocation of interconnection by the utility, and referral to municipal court where applicable.
  • Inspection and complaints: complaints and inspection requests are handled by City of Memphis Building Inspections and by the utility's interconnection team; use the official contact pages listed in Resources below.
  • Appeal and review: appeal routes and time limits are set by municipal code or specific administrative rules; specific appeal deadlines for solar/interconnection disputes are not specified on the cited pages and must be confirmed with the enforcing office.
If you receive a stop-work order or disconnection notice, contact the issuing office immediately to learn appeal windows.

Applications & Forms

The utility typically requires an interconnection application and agreement; the City of Memphis requires building permits, electrical permits and any zoning approvals. Specific form names, numbers, fees and deadlines are sometimes listed on the utility or city pages. Where an exact form number or fee is not published on the cited page, that detail is listed as not specified on the cited page.

  • Interconnection application and interconnection agreement: see the utility distributed generation/interconnection guidance for the current application and submission process.[1]
  • City building and electrical permits: apply through City of Memphis permitting portals; confirm required inspections and plan review steps with Building Inspections.[2]
  • Fees: specific permit and application fee amounts for solar/interconnection are not specified on the cited pages; check the online permit fee schedules on the city and utility pages.

How-To

  1. Check site eligibility and utility interconnection rules.
  2. Obtain required permits from City of Memphis Building Inspections and submit plans for electrical work.
  3. Submit the utility interconnection application and any technical documents required by the utility.
  4. Schedule inspections and complete commissioning; ensure bi-directional metering is installed if net metering applies.
  5. Apply for incentives and tax credits; retain documentation for compliance and rebate claims.

FAQ

Can a small employer in New South Memphis sell excess solar energy to the grid?
Excess export and compensation depend on MLGW interconnection and net metering/billing rules; contact the utility for program specifics and application steps.[1]
Do I need a city permit for rooftop solar on a commercial building?
Yes, commercial rooftop solar generally requires building and electrical permits from the City of Memphis; submit plans and schedule inspections with Building Inspections.[2]
What if my project is noncompliant after inspection?
The city may issue corrections, stop-work orders or require remediation; the utility may delay interconnection until issues are resolved.

Key Takeaways

  • Start permitting and interconnection coordination early to avoid delays.
  • Contact both City of Memphis Building Inspections and MLGW before procurement or installation.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] MLGW distributed generation and interconnection guidance
  2. [2] City of Memphis Code of Ordinances and permitting information

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