Solar Photovoltaics

Interconnection Standards

Note: Wisconsin has adopted revised interconnection rules, effective May 1, 2024. The revised rules adopt the most recent equipment standards for DG systems and inverters (IEEE Std. 1547 and UL 1741). Energy storage systems are required to be UL 9540-listed.

In February 2004, the Wisconsin Public Service Commission adopted interconnection standards for distributed generation (DG) systems up to 15 megawatts (MW) in capacity. All investor-owned utilities (IOUs) and municipal utilities are required to abide by the standard provisions. Electric cooperatives are encouraged -- but not required -- to adopt the state standards. The rules categorize DG systems by capacity and

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Interconnection Standards

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) adopted updated interconnection standards in June 2019. The standards are modeled after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Small Generator Interconnection Process and apply to systems up to 10 MW in capacity. 

The MPUC standards, like the FERC standards, use a three-tiered approach to simplify the interconnection process:

  • Inverter Process: Systems up to 20 kilowatts (kW) 
  • Fast Track Process: Systems larger than 20 kW that meet the eligibility criteria in the table below 
  • Study Process: Systems that fail to qualify for the Fast Track Process


Line Voltage Fast Track Eligible Regardless of Location Fast Track Eligibility on
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Interconnection Standards

The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) adopted rules for utilities in May 2010 for the interconnection of distributed generation facilities in Iowa. The interconnection rules were most recently updated in 2017.

Rate-Regulated Utilities

Rate-regulated utilities include the state's two investor-owned utilities, MidAmerican Energy and Interstate Power and Light (IPL), and Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative, which opted to have the IUB set its rates. The rates of municipal utilities and other rural electric cooperatives are not regulated by the IUB.

Process

Interconnection standards for rate-regulated utilities apply to distributed generation facilities of up to 10 megawatts (MW)* that are not subject

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City and County of Honolulu - Solar Loan Program

The City and County of Honolulu offers loans for solar equipment through their Rehabilitation Loan Program. The program offers zero-interest loans to income-eligible homeowners for the installation of solar water heating and photovoltaic systems through the City's Rehabilitation Loan Program.

The zero-interest loans are available for single-family homes and individual condominiums with home owners association approval. For loans over $10,000, a mortgage lien will be secured on the property. Additional repairs such as re-roofing work, etc. may be included in the installation work depending on the City inspection. Qualification is dependent on income level (guidelines available on program website). The program is

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Solar Electric Incentive Program

Energy Trust of Oregon’s Solar Electric Incentive Program, launched in May 2003, is available to customers of Pacific Power and PGE who install new photovoltaic (PV) systems on new or existing homes, multifamily homes, commercial buildings, farms, and public entity facilities. Energy Trust allocates solar incentives into steps, such that when funding in a given allocation is fully subscribed, the incentive amount steps down. A status report with current funding allocations and availability is available on Energy Trust's website. Current incentive amounts are as follows:

Residential

  • PGE: $900 per home
  • Pacific Power: $1,050 per home

Commercial Buildings, Multifamily Buildings, and
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JEA - Green Power Program

In November 1999, JEA, a municipal utility, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Sierra Club and the American Lung Association of Florida to formalize the municipal utility's commitment to generate at least 7.5% of its electric capacity from green energy sources by 2015. Eligible renewable-energy resources include solar, biomass, biogas (methane from landfills and sewage treatment plants), and wind, as well as specific efficiency projects (which are located at JEA facilities where improvements made result in additional power output with no additional fuel input). To date, 95 megaWatts of clean power capacity have been achieved by JEA.


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Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs - Funding Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs promotes tribal energy sufficiency, economic growth, and employment on tribal lands through the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The program provides financial assistance, technical assistance, and education and training to tribes for the evaluation and development of renewable energy resources and energy efficiency measures.

DOE's program offerings consist of program management through DOE headquarters, program implementation and project management through DOE's field offices, and technical support through DOE laboratories. Program management is carried out by DOE's Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program, which provides programmatic direction

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USDA - Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grants

Note: The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development issues periodic Notices of Solicitation of Applications for the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) in the Federal Register.

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides financial assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in America to purchase, install, and construct renewable energy systems, make energy efficiency improvements to non-residential buildings and facilities, use renewable technologies that reduce energy consumption, and participate in energy audits and renewable energy development assistance.

Renewable energy projects for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvement Guaranteed Loan and Grant Program include wind, solar

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TVA - Green Power Providers

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and participating power distributors of TVA power offer a performance-based incentive program to homeowners and businesses for the installation of renewable generation systems from the following qualifying resources: PV, wind, hydropower, and biomass. The long term Green Power Providers program replaces the Generation Partners* pilot program. The energy generated from these renewable generation systems will count towards TVA's green power pricing program, Green Power Switch.

The Green Power Providers program contract term is 20 years. Generation credit will be paid at the following flat rates for the entirety of the 20-year contract:

•Residential/GSA-1 customers with system

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TVA - Green Power Providers

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) and participating power distributors of TVA power offer a performance-based incentive program to homeowners and businesses for the installation of renewable generation systems from the following qualifying resources: PV, wind, hydropower, and biomass. The long term Green Power Providers program replaces the Generation Partners* pilot program. The energy generated from these renewable generation systems will count towards TVA's green power pricing program, Green Power Switch.

The Green Power Providers program contract term is 20 years. Generation credit will be paid at the following flat rates for the entirety of the 20-year contract:

•Residential/GSA-1 customers with system

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