Interconnection Standards

In response to state legislation enacted in 2001, in September 2004 the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) adopted an order establishing generic standards for utility tariffs for interconnection and the operation of distributed generation facilities up to 10 megawatts (MW) in capacity. 

The MPUC has developed a streamlined, uniform interconnection application and a process that addresses safety, economics, and reliability issues. MPUC standards contain technical requirements related to engineering studies, mandatory minimum insurance requirements for different sized systems, equipment certification definitions, a dispute resolution process, and standard application fees. 

For more information, contact your utility and review the interconnection information below:

• Xcel Energy - Interconnection of Distributed Generation 
• Minnesota Power - Interconnection Guidelines
• Otter Tail Power Company - Generator Interconnection
• Dakota Electric Association - Generation Interconnection

Reporting

Effective July 1, 2014, utilities are required to collect the following information on customers applying for interconnection of distributed renewable generation and report it to the MPUC: 

• the nameplate capacity
• the preincentive installed cost and cost components of the generation system 
• the energy source
• ZIP code 

The PUC is required to make non-project specific data available to the public.