Member Owned Solar/Wind

SWCE will help you interconnect your own electric generation equipment with our system. SWCE follows the Cooperative Minnesota Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Process (Interconnection Process or C-MIP) for all interconnections. This process is utilized for all Minnesota applications for interconnection of member owned renewable Distributed Energy Resources (DER). All the related documentation, process information, rate tariff and application materials along with the interconnection applications are available at NOVA Power Portal. SWCE will only accept DER interconnection applications through the web portal.

Members may contact the cooperative to schedule a time to meet at the cooperative headquarters in Owatonna for assistance in submitting an application.

Your safety and the safety of our employees is of the utmost importance. Therefore, all interconnection applications are contingent on the equipment and installation obtaining certification from a State of Minnesota licensed State Electrical Inspector. Advance planning is required for a DER interconnection and it is highly recommended that you contact us at the beginning of your planning process so we can provide assistance to you.

Questions to ask a solar contractor image

Questions to ask a Solar Contractor/Vendor

Questions to ask a Solar Contractor/Vendor

Purchasing from the right installer/contractor is every bit as important as the product you are purchasing. Due diligence is critical to ensure you get a quality system, for a fair price, and that it’s installed correctly and on time.

Questions

10 Steps to Take Before Installing Solar

10 Steps to Take Before Installing Solar

As prices decline and technology improves, installing a residential solar system makes sense for some consumers. Consider these points as you explore whether solar is right for your situation.

10 Steps

NOVA Portal

NOVA Portal

Find documents, information, tariff and application materials and submit your application in NOVA.

Nova Portal

Solar Energy Homes

Solar Energy Homes

From the Minnesota Department of Commerce

Learn More

Minnesota is one of many states that encourage small renewable energy systems to be installed at residences and businesses. According to Minnesota Statute 216B.164, all utilities shall buy back any excess energy that reaches the distribution grid produced by a qualifying facility having less than 40 kW capacity at the average retail energy rate for the applicable rate schedule. This means for any wind or solar system with a total capacity size of less than 40 kW and installed at an existing SWCE service location, SWCE will buy the excess energy produced by the renewable system at an average retail energy rate.

For renewable systems at a capacity of 40 kW or larger, SWCE will still buy back the excess power produced by the renewable system that reaches the grid.

SWCE currently has over 1 MW of renewable systems interconnected to the distribution grid. The combination of 50+ small wind and solar systems produce an approximated total of 1,100,000 kWh per year. When comparing the amount of interconnected renewable energy production to the total utility energy sales, SWCE leads the state in renewable systems penetration.

SWCE will attempt to accommodate the interconnection of all member renewable projects. All distributed generation projects including renewable systems are to follow the State of Minnesota Interconnection Process for Distributed Generation Systems. This document outlines the process, timelines, technical requirements and cost ownership to interconnect a renewable system to the distribution grid. Due to the high penetration of renewable systems in parts of SWCE’s system, some renewable system projects may require additional engineering studies to determine what electrical grid changes need to occur to safely interconnect additional generation.

SWCE procedure for interconnecting renewable systems along with the State of Minnesota Interconnection Process for Distributed Generation Systems documents can be found in the NOVA Power Portal. To initiate any interconnection of a renewable system, SWCE requires the Interconnection Application to be completely filled out and returned to SWCE along with any applicable non-refundable application fees. You may contact SWCE with any renewable questions.

SWCE has been tracking the production of the small wind and solar system interconnected to the SWCE’s distribution grid since 2002. On average a 39 kW wind turbine produces between 50,000 – 60,000 kWh in a year. The production can vary depending on the wind conditions of the site and the weather conditions throughout a year. A 10 kW solar system will produce on average 13,000 kWh per year. Keep in mind solar system produce significantly more during summer months than winter months. For wind systems, energy production is the lowest in the summer compared to the other season.

SWCE recommends that members do their research when considering installing a renewable system. While there are many reputable renewable contractors, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Fee only applies to distributed generation systems starting on or after Jan. 1, 2016

The state legislature sought to return a level of fairness to how the electric distribution grid is paid for, by authorizing electric cooperatives and municipal utilities to charge a cost recovery fee on distributed generation facilities (wind and solar). The fee will allow electric co-op’s, like Steele-Waseca Cooperative Electric, to recover some of the cost shift that occurs between distributed generators and the rest of the membership.

There is a fixed cost to deliver electric power to our members; the poles, the wires, the equipment and people that get the power to you and keep it reliable and safe. This fixed cost is recovered in two ways, through a monthly fixed charge and as a portion of your kilowatt hour (kWh) rate. Putting some of the fixed cost within the kWh rate was done on the assumption that the more energy a member used, the more demand they put on the grid and the more they should pay to maintain it. Distributed generators demand as much (or more) from the grid than the rest of the membership. But, because they offset some or all of their energy usage, they no longer pay their fair share to maintain the grid.

The intent of the cost recovery fee is just that, recover some of the cost shift and ensure that cost causers are also cost payers. The fee is based on calculating the size of the distributed generation facility, the usage variation among members, and the unique nature of the electric cooperative. The cost recovery fee is applied equitably on a per kW basis with a state-wide allowance of 3.5 kW for electric cooperatives (the state average for size of rooftop solar facilities is between 3.5 kW and 5 kW).

The cost recovery fee is not punitive, and will return a level of fairness to how the electric distribution grid is paid. As at-cost energy providers, electric cooperatives believe that cost causers should be cost payers. This fee goes a long way toward returning to that equitable approach.

The cost recovery fee seeks to recoup that portion of the fixed costs of serving the distributed generator that are included in the kWh rate. The fee is calculated using a cost of service approach and is different for each electric cooperative based on the true cost of serving the member, the kWh rate, and the current fixed charge. Because the cost shift is different based on the size of the distributed generation facility, the fee is applied per kW of installed distributed generation that exceeds 3.5 kW.

Contact us

There is a difference in how much each member uses based on many different factors, including the size of the home, energy efficiency efforts, and usage needs. This variance was taken into account and applied as an allowance for distributed generation facilities under 3.5 kW. That means a 5 kW system (the state average for residential systems is between 3.5 kW and 5 kW) pays only for 1.5 kW of distributed generation.

Contact us

New Website:

Minnesota's Net Metering Policy

Interconnecting Renewable to the Distribution Grid

Production Data on Small Solar and Wind Generation

Cost Recovery Fee Provides Fairness Between Distributed Generation Systems and Fellow Members