Here you can find resources for interconnecting your generation or storage system, collectively known as "distributed energy resources," with our local grid, often known as the electric distribution system.
There are some steps you should know before installing distributed energy resources at your home, business, or property. First, learn about the rules and guidelines for the system you are interested in connecting. Next, review our tools below, including a hosting capacity map, pre-application data, and publicly available queues. These resources can be helpful to review prior to submitting a full interconnection application, especially for large installations that may have grid impacts.
Once you have an understanding of state, local, and utility specific requirements and permits, you can submit an application online (see links below). After submission, your proposal will go through a technical review and, if needed, we will perform a detailed engineering study of your project and provide an interconnection agreement along with any estimates for needed grid upgrades. After your proposal is approved and all contracts are signed, we will coordinate the build of any facilities within our system, if necessary, and work with you and your contractors to successfully witness test and energize your system. Finally, this work ends with a permission to operate letter from us to the generator owner.
Please note that all transmission interconnections follow an entirely different process. Learn more about Interconnections for Transmission.
Hosting Capacity Map
Hosting Capacity Study Results (XLSX)
Substation Distributed Generation Queue - 9/22/2017 (XLSX)
Pre-application Data Process
Application Screening Process
Engineering Study Process
Interconnection Agreement Process
Design and Construction Process
Minnesota Public Utilities Commission Rules, Chapter 7835 on Cogeneration and Small Power Production, address interconnection of Qualifying Facilities. Along with Statute 216B and House Bill HF956. The following links will bring you to the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statues website and will open in a new window.
Minnesota PUC Rules Chapter 7835 on Cogeneration and Small Power Production
Statute 216B - Public Utilities
Statute 216B-1611 - Interconnection of On-Site Distributed Generation
Statute 216B-164 - Cogeneration and Small Power Production
Statute 216B-2426 - Opportunities for Distributed Generation
House Bill HF956 (4th Engrossment) - Omnibus Energy Bill
Xcel Energy Tariff Section 10 provides the detailed process and technical requirements for facilities 10 MW and under.
The distributed generation interconnection process, application form, interconnection agreement, and technical requirements for interconnecting distributed generation facilities up to and including 10 MW can be found in Section 10 (Sheets 73–159.6).
The Solar*Rewards Contract can be found in Section 9 (Sheets 13-32).
Rates and Riders
See Section 5 for Standby Service Rider (Sheets 101-107), Supplemental Generation Service Rider (Sheets 108-114), Renewable Energy Standard (RES) Rider (Sheets 146-147).
See Section 6 for Standby Rates (Sheets 9-11).
See Section 9 for Net Energy Billing Service Rates (Sheet 2), Purchase and Sale Billing Service Rates (Sheet 3), Time of Day Purchase Service Rates (Sheet 4), and Solar*Rewards Contract (Sheets 14-28).
See Section 10 for Community Based Energy Development Tariff (Sheets 160-162).
Interconnection Documents
The applicable application form and interconnection agreement are included in each of the tariff groups for their set of rules.
Minnesota Electric Rate Book: Section 5 (PDF) - Standby Service, Sheet No. 101-114 (MPUC No. 2)
Minnesota Electric Rate Book: Section 6 (PDF) - General Rules, 6-13
Minnesota Electric Rate Book: Section 9 (PDF) - Cogeneration
Minnesota Electric Rate Book: Section 10 (PDF) - Distributed Resources
Net Meter Packet (PDF) - August 2015
If you have questions after reviewing the resources on this page, contact us by email or by calling the Business Solution Center at 800-481-4700 (Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.).
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) provides standards for small generation (less than 20 MW) interconnection for facilities within the jurisdiction of the commission. This generally applies to transmission-level interconnection. Distribution-level interconnection is usually regulated by each state's public utilities commission.
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has set standards for interconnection and net metering of distributed generation in the document 4 Code of Colorado Regulations (CCR 723-3). The flow charts below provide high level guidance to interconnection processes required by Rule 3667 of CCR 723-3.
Colorado State Rules (12/2017) (PDF)
Net Metering Information, Rule 3664
Community Solar Gardens, Rule 3665
Small Generation Interconnection Procedures, Rules 3667 (up to 10MW)
Small Power Producers and Cogeneration, Rule 3900-3918 (over 10 MW)
Tariff Book (6/2018) (PDF)
Net Metering Service- Sheet No. 112
Photovoltaic Service - Sheet No. 113
Solar Rewards Community Service - Sheet No. 114
Secondary Photovoltaic Time-of-Use Service - Sheet No. 49
Small Power Production and Cogeneration - Sheet No. P1-P7
Generator Soft Load Transfer Interconnection Agreement (2/2015) (PDF)
Interconnection Requirements (PDF) - Technical Requirements
Storage Guidance 1 (Non-Renewable) (PDF)
Storage Guidance 2 (Renewable, Utility-side of Production Meter) (PDF)
Storage Guidance 3 (Renewable, PV-side of Production Meter) (PDF)
Declaration Form 1A and 2A (PDF)
Declaration Form 1B and 1C (PDF)
Declaration Form 2B and 2C (PDF)
Declaration Form 3A and 3B (PDF)
Call Center: 1-800-895-4999
Thomas Malone, Engineer: thomas.h.malone@xcelenergy.com
Jennifer Bass, Transmission Account Representative: jennifer.l.bass@xcelenergy.com
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) provides standards for small generation (less than 20 MW) interconnection for facilities within the jurisdiction of the commission. This generally applies to transmission-level interconnection. Distribution-level interconnection is usually regulated by each state's public utilities commission.
The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has established interconnection agreements and applications for generation up to 20 kW (Category 1) and between 20 kW and 150 kW (Category 2). Updated State Rules for 150 kW to 750 kW (Category 3), 750 kW to 2 MW (Category 4) and greater than 2 MW (Category 5) are under construction. Projects above 150 kW must comply with the original Xcel Energy State Rules as stated in Case No. U-14085. This information can be found in the Projects Greater Than 150 kW section below.
The following links connect to the MPSC Customer Generation application, guidelines and agreement for Category 1 and 2 projects. The last link connects to the MPSC Case No. U-14085, this documentation is used in Projects Greater Than 150 kW section below.
Category 1 and 2 General Site (external link)
Category 1 & 2- Interconnection and Parallel Operating Agreement (Dec. 2012) (PDF)
Xcel Energy (Case No. U-14085) (external link)
Generator Interconnection Procedures (Dec. 2012) (PDF)
Combined Interconnection & Net Metering Application (PDF)
Generator Interconnection & Net Standards (2009 AACS) (PDF)
Combined Interconnection & Net Metering Application (PDF)
This section is for projects above 150 kW and must comply with the original Xcel Energy State Rules as stated in Case No. U-14085.
Interconnection Requirements (5/2004) (PDF)
Interconnection Process for Distributed Generation Systems
Interconnection Process
Process Flow Chart
Interconnection Application
Engineering Data Submittal and Agreement
Interconnection Agreement
Michigan Tariffs relating to distributed generation can be found in the below sections of the Michigan Electric Rate Book.
General Michigan Rates and Tariffs (MPSC No. 2- Electric; 6/2013) (PDF)
Net Metering up to 20kW (Sheet No. D-41.0)
Net Metering 20kW to 150kW (Sheet No. D-44.0)
Parallel Generation - Methane Digesters 150kW to 550kW (Sheet No. D-47.0)
Standby, Maintenance and Supplemental Services Rider (Sheet No. D-48.0)
Optional Standby and Optional Maintenance Rider (Sheet No. D-49.0)
Wheeling Service Rider (Sheet No. D-50.0)
Call Center: 1-800-895-4999
David Donovan, Manager - Regulatory Policy: david.d.donovan@xcelenergy.com
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) provides standards for small generation (less than 20 MW) interconnection for facilities within the jurisdiction of the commission. This generally applies to transmission-level interconnection. Distribution-level interconnection is usually regulated by each state's public utilities commission.
Links to the current PUCT rules relating to Distributed Generation are below. A Distributed Generation Interconnection Manual was created by the PUCT to be used with the current rules. For more information about the interconnection manual see the Interconnection Forms and Agreements section below.
Texas tariffs relating to distributed generation can be found in section IV of the Texas Electric Rate Book.
Xcel Energy Texas Electric Rate Book (Rev. 119) (PDF)
Section IV-77 - Electric Service to a Qualifying Facility of Aggregate Generation Capacity of 100 kW of Less
Section IV-86 - Energy Purchase from a Qualifying Facility of Aggregate Generating Capacity of 100 kW of Less
Section IV-117 - Avoided Energy Cost Non-Firm Purchases from Qualifying Facilities
Section IV-159 - Distributed Generation Interconnection
Section IV-179 - Primary QF Standby Service
Section IV-180 - Secondary QF Standby Service
Steven Hudson
Xcel Energy Texas & New Mexico Principal Engineer
790 S. Buchanan St.
Amarillo, TX 79101
Phone: 806-378-2165
Email: Steven.Hudson@xcelenergy.com
Annette Gallegos
Principal Transmission Representative
Phone: 806-640-6302
Email: Annette.Gallegos@xcelenergy.com
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) provides standards for small generation (less than 20 MW) interconnection for facilities within the jurisdiction of the commission. This generally applies to transmission-level interconnection. Distribution-level interconnection is usually regulated by each state's public utilities commission.
The New Mexico state interconnection rules as adopted by the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) are report in rules 568, 569, 570, and 572.
New Mexico Tariffs relating to distributed generation can be found in the below sections of the New Mexico Electric Rate Book.
Xcel Energy New Mexico Tariffs (PDF) (8/2014)
Requirements applying to interconnections less than or equal to 10MW as referenced in state rule 568 are including below in the New Mexico Interconnection Manual. The manual includes interconnection process, agreements, and applications. Separated documents are also included below. All transmission interconnection guidelines must comply with the following guidelines in addition to FERC requirements.
New Mexico Interconnection Manual (July 2008) (PDF)
The following link connects to the Xcel Energy Interconnection Manual, the Public Regulation Commission Manual can be found in the New Mexico Interconnection Documents section above.
Xcel Energy New Mexico Interconnection Manual (10/2009) (PDF)
Call Center: 1-800-895-4999
Annette Gallegos, Principal Transmission Representative: annette.gallegos@xcelenergy.com
Steven Hudson, Principal Engineer: steven.hudson@xcelenergy.com
Impact Studies are performed in a “cluster” method twice a year in April and October. SPS will require the party requesting interconnection to provide initial funding in the amount of $30,000 to determine if upgrades will be needed to the effected transmission system. All funding and DG generator interconnection information must be provided to SPS no less than 30 days prior to April or October. Impact Studies typically take four to six months to be completed. Multiple studies and additional funding are always a possibility. After the SPP Impact Study process is completed and provided to SPS, SPS will contact the party requesting interconnection with any transmission system upgrades required along with the distribution system upgrades. If any funding is not used for the Impact Study, it will be refunded to the party requesting interconnection.
Distributed generation in excess of the net distribution load on a substation will result in power flowing into the transmission system. Net distribution load is the sum of the traditional load and any pre-existing generation under normal operating conditions. For this situation, the substation is considered an impact to the transmission system and could require upgrades. Facilities 2 MW and less may be eligible for the fast track process in lieu of the DSIS.
SPS shall have the option to enter into the applicable Affected System study agreements and to be financially responsible for such studies, or as a condition of interconnection, to require the interconnection customer to submit a request to enter the DSIS process or other SPP study process as applicable.
Generator interconnections to the Southwestern Public Service Company (“SPS”) distribution system, not subject to Southwest Power Pool (“SPP”) Open Access Transmission Tariff (“OATT”), may still require studies to identify impacts on SPS’s transmission system. SPS will notify SPP of interconnection requests of 5 MW or more to be studied pursuant to SPP’s Affected System Generation Interconnection Impact study process (“Impact Study or Studies”). SPP and/or SPS will evaluate each interconnection request not subject to OATT requirements and will make the final determination whether the interconnection impact study will be performed by SPP. In instances where further study is warranted, such studies will be performed by SPP, at the direction of SPS. Non-jurisdictional generator interconnection customers may be required to enter into the appropriate study agreements with SPP to facilitate an Affected System Agreement. Additionally, requests for non-jurisdictional generator interconnections may be required to be coordinated with SPP in accordance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (“NERC”) standards.
Although such studies may be performed within SPP’s Generation Interconnection Process (“GIP”) for planning purposes, the non jurisdictional generator interconnection customer will not be subject to the OATT. In such instances, the following shall apply:
1. When notified, SPP is responsible for conducting any required studies to determine if the request may impact the Transmission System.
2. Should SPP determine that the generator interconnection may impact the Transmission System, SPP shall notify SPS of such impacts and provide to SPS any system impact studies that detail such impacts.
3. As an impacted system, SPP will determine what additional studies will be required to coordinate the impacts, up to and including studying the impact in the Definitive Interconnection System Impact Studies (“DSIS”). SPS shall require as a condition of interconnection with the generation customer making request for interconnection, that all SPP required studies be completed. SPS shall have the option to enter into the applicable Affected System study agreements and to be financially responsible for such studies, or as a condition of interconnection, to require the interconnection customer to submit a request to enter the DSIS process or other SPP study process as applicable.
4. It shall remain SPS’s responsibility to complete any generator interconnection agreements in accordance with SPS’s generator interconnection procedures regarding the completion of Network Upgrades required on the Distribution System and on SPS’s Transmission System.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) provides standards for small generation (less than 20 MW) interconnection for facilities within the jurisdiction of the commission. This generally applies to transmission-level interconnection. Distribution-level interconnection is usually regulated by each state's public utilities commission.
The North Dakota state interconnection rules as adopted by the North Dakota Public Service Commission are report in rules 69-09-02, 69-09-07, and 69-09-08.
General ND PSC Article 69-09 (external link)
Standards of Service - Electric (69-09-02)(2017)(PDF)
Small Power Production and Cogeneration (69-09-07)( 1991)(PDF)
Renewable Electricity and Recycled Energy Tracking System (69-09-08)(2011)(PDF)
North Dakota Tariffs relating to distributed generation can be found in Section 9, Cogeneration and Small Power Production, of the North Dakota Electric Rate Book. Tariffs relating to Standby Rates can be found in Section 5-82, Standby Service Rider.
North Dakota Electric Rate Book: Section 9 (PDF) - Cogeneration and Small Power Production (2/2014)
North Dakota Electric Rate Book: Section 5 (PDF) – Standby Service Rider (5/2014)
North Dakota Service Offerings & Rates
A detailed description of the interconnection process can be found in the document, Distributed Generation Interconnection Manual, below. The manual also includes an interconnection process flow chart, interconnection application and agreement, an engineering data submittal form, and interconnection requirements.
Call Center: 1-800-895-4999
John Wold, Program Manager: john.c.wold@xcelenergy.com
Cory Kiemele, Distribution Engineer: cory.f.kiemele@xcelenergy.com
Gregory Gorski, Transmission Account Representative: gregory.e.gorski@xcelenergy.com
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) provides standards for small generation (less than 20 MW) interconnection for facilities within the jurisdiction of the commission. This generally applies to transmission-level interconnection. Distribution-level interconnection is usually regulated by each state's public utilities commission.
The South Dakota State interconnection rules as adopted by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, Administrative Rules 20:10:36.
South Dakota Tariffs relating to distributed generation can be found in Section 9, Cogeneration and Small Power Production, of the South Dakota Electric Rate Book. Tariffs relating to Standby Rates can be found in Section 5-68, Standby Service Rider.
Section 9 - Cogeneration and Small Power Production (11/2013) (PDF)
Section 5-68- Standby Service Rider (5/2013) (Go to page 59) (PDF)
The applicable forms and agreements are found in the state rules. Below are links for rues and forms along with the interconnection manual for SD-PUC and Xcel Energy.
Xcel Energy Distributed Generation Interconnection Manual (May 2012) (PDF)
South Dakota PUC Distributed Generator Interconnection Rules and Forms (May 2009) (Go to page 66) (PDF)
Call Center: 1-800-895-4999
John Wold, Program Manager: john.c.wold@xcelenergy.com
Cory Kiemele, Distribution Engineer: cory.f.kiemele@xcelenergy.com
Gregory Gorski, Transmission Account Representative: gregory.e.gorski@xcelenergy.com
Impact Studies are performed in a “cluster” method twice a year in April and October. SPS will require the party requesting interconnection to provide initial funding in the amount of $30,000 to determine if upgrades will be needed to the effected transmission system. All funding and DG generator interconnection information must be provided to SPS no less than 30 days prior to April or October. Impact Studies typically take four to six months to be completed. Multiple studies and additional funding are always a possibility. After the SPP Impact Study process is completed and provided to SPS, SPS will contact the party requesting interconnection with any transmission system upgrades required along with the distribution system upgrades. If any funding is not used for the Impact Study, it will be refunded to the party requesting interconnection.
Distributed generation in excess of the net distribution load on a substation will result in power flowing into the transmission system. Net distribution load is the sum of the traditional load and any pre-existing generation under normal operating conditions. For this situation, the substation is considered an impact to the transmission system and could require upgrades. Facilities 2 MW and less may be eligible for the fast track process in lieu of the DISIS.
SPS shall have the option to enter into the applicable Affected System study agreements and to be financially responsible for such studies, or as a condition of interconnection, to require the interconnection customer to submit a request to enter the DSIS process or other SPP study process as applicable.
Generator interconnections to the Southwestern Public Service Company (“SPS”) distribution system, not subject to Southwest Power Pool (“SPP”) Open Access Transmission Tariff (“OATT”), may still require studies to identify impacts on SPS’s transmission system. SPS will notify SPP of interconnection requests of 5 MW or more to be studied pursuant to SPP’s Affected System Generation Interconnection Impact study process (“Impact Study or Studies”). SPP and/or SPS will evaluate each interconnection request not subject to OATT requirements and will make the final determination whether the interconnection impact study will be performed by SPP. In instances where further study is warranted, such studies will be performed by SPP, at the direction of SPS. Non-jurisdictional generator interconnection customers may be required to enter into the appropriate study agreements with SPP to facilitate an Affected System Agreement. Additionally, requests for non-jurisdictional generator interconnections may be required to be coordinated with SPP in accordance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (“NERC”) standards.
Although such studies may be performed within SPP’s Generation Interconnection Process (“GIP”) for planning purposes, the non jurisdictional generator interconnection customer will not be subject to the OATT. In such instances, the following shall apply:
1. When notified, SPP is responsible for conducting any required studies to determine if the request may impact the Transmission System.
2. Should SPP determine that the generator interconnection may impact the Transmission System, SPP shall notify SPS of such impacts and provide to SPS any system impact studies that detail such impacts.
3. As an impacted system, SPP will determine what additional studies will be required to coordinate the impacts, up to and including studying the impact in the Definitive Interconnection System Impact Studies (“DSIS”). SPS shall require as a condition of interconnection with the generation customer making request for interconnection, that all SPP required studies be completed. SPS shall have the option to enter into the applicable Affected System study agreements and to be financially responsible for such studies, or as a condition of interconnection, to require the interconnection customer to submit a request to enter the DSIS process or other SPP study process as applicable.
4. It shall remain SPS’s responsibility to complete any generator interconnection agreements in accordance with SPS’s generator interconnection procedures regarding the completion of Network Upgrades required on the Distribution System and on SPS’s Transmission System.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) provides standards for small generation (less than 20 MW) interconnection for facilities within the jurisdiction of the commission. This generally applies to transmission-level interconnection. Distribution-level interconnection is usually regulated by each state's public utilities commission.
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission has set Rules for Interconnecting Distributed Generation Facilities in the Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter PSC 119.
Wisconsin Electric Rules - PSC 119 (1/2017, No. 733)
Service Rules for Electrical Utilities - PSC 113 (7/2014, No. 703) (PDF)
Wisconsin tariffs relating to distributed generation can be found in the Wisconsin Electric Rate Book.
The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has established interconnection agreements and applications for generation up to 20kW and between 20kW and 15MW. Guidelines have also been established by the Wisconsin Distributed Resources Collaborative. These guidelines include a detailed description of the application process for interconnection and a process flow chart.
Interconnection Application (up to 20kW) (9/2011) (external PDF)
Interconnection Application (20kW to 15MW) (9/2011) (external PDF)
Interconnection Agreement (up to 20kW) (9/2011) (external PDF)
Interconnection Agreement (20kW to 15MW) (9/2011) (external PDF)
Call Center: 1-800-895-4999
Deborah Erwin, Manager - Regulatory Policy: deborah.e.erwin@xcelenergy.com
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