Customer-owned generation – Wisconsin

Interconnection is the process of adding a wind turbine, solar photovoltaic system, microturbine or fuel cell to your home or business and our distribution system. WPS partners with Focus on Energy to help connect you with experts on renewable energy systems and Cash-Back Rewards for installations.
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You and your installer’s responsibilities:

• You and your installer are responsible for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of any generation system installed.
• You and your installer are responsible for following the interconnection rules of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSCW) and for meeting all WPS tariff requirements, as well as applicable laws and regulations (local, state and federal).
  • These requirements are designed to: protect distribution system facilities; avoid electrical interference problems; ensure the safety of customers, electric provider employees and the general public; and maintain overall system reliability.
  • If you connect to our distribution system with a generation facility with a capacity of 15 megawatts (MW) or less, you must comply with Wisconsin Administrative Code Rules, Chapter PSC 119 Rules for Interconnecting Distributed Generation Facilities.
  • By installing customer-owned generation, the customer/installer agree to address any existing issues with metering/service equipment to meet current requirements.
• You are required by law to maintain liability insurance (equal to or greater than amounts indicated in PSC 119) or to prove financial responsibility by another means agreeable to us.
• You are required to notify us if a material modification is made to your generation facility at any time during or after the installation process. A material modification is any modification that changes the maximum electrical output of your facility or changes the interconnection equipment, including:
  • Changing from certified to noncertified devices.
  • Replacing a component with a component of different functionality or UL listing.
• You are responsible for proper installation, operation and maintenance of specified protective devices.
• You are responsible for the expense to obtain any and all authorizations, permits and licenses required for construction and operation of your generating facilities.
• You are required to complete the steps listed below.

Our responsibilities: We are responsible for promptly carrying out our role in the steps below and for meeting all required steps and timelines to process your interconnection application. Our primary contact can assist you with any information you need to complete your interconnection.

Steps

The steps below are required by state law to interconnect to our distribution system. Links to actual state law and associated guidelines are located at the bottom of this page.

For systems 20kW or less

1. For any questions regarding this process please contact:
   
   • CustomerGen@wisconsinpublicservice.com
2. Review the parallel generation rate
   • WPS Net Energy Billing
3. Review and understand the rules and requirements
   • Customer-owned solar generation diagrams – overhead service options
   • Customer-owned solar generation diagrams – underground service options
   • WPS Parallel Generation Rules
   • Wisconsin Administration Code Rules (PSC-119)
   • Wisconsin Distributed Generation Interconnection Guidelines
4. If the Application is less than 20kW, complete the following form, mail and/or send via email to: CustomerGen@wisconsinpublicservice.com
   Christine Behnke
   Wisconsin Public Service
   1717 10th Ave
   Menominee, MI 49858
5. Required - Wisconsin Standard Distributed Generation Application Form
6. Required - Select Supplement applying for (select one or more):
   • Solar Photovoltaic Supplement Form
   • Wind Turbine Supplement Form
   • Generator Supplement Form
7. Required only if installing - Energy Storage Supplement Form
8. Required only if new ownership is acquired. Skip 5-7 if using this form - Change of Ownership Form
   • WIDRC RENEW Interconnection letter
9. Interconnection Agreement - Distributed Gen Interconnect Agree 20kW or less
10. WPS reviews the application WPS will review your application to determine if it contains all the information needed to begin the interconnection process. WPS will contact you about the status of your application. If the application is incomplete, additional information will be requested.
11. Engineering review determination When your application is complete, WPS will determine whether an engineering review is needed. If an engineering review is necessary, we notify you within 10 working days and state the charge for that review. Note: If you are not notified about a review in 10 days, go to step 15.
12. Engineering Review After you notify us in writing to proceed and submit applicable payment, WPS will complete the engineering review and notify you of results.
13. WPS determines if a distribution study is needed Your engineering review will determine if a distribution study is need. This study is to assess the level of impact your system will have when it’s connected to the grid. WPS will inform you of the costs of this study. After you have provided written authorization to proceed and paid the applicable fee, we’ll complete the study.
14. Discuss distribution study and review interconnection options and costs Once the distribution study is complete, WPS will contact you to discuss all of the options available – along with their associated costs – and the timeline for the interconnection of your parallel generation system.
15. Install parallel generation and distribution system upgrades You will need to install your generating equipment within a mutually agreed upon timeframe. After receipt of payment for the agreed-upon interconnection costs, WPS will perform all work needed to upgrade the distribution system to accommodate your parallel generation system.
16. Sign the interconnection agreement Before parallel operation can begin, both you and WPS will need to complete and sign a standard interconnection agreement and power purchase agreement.
17. Test the system When the installation of your system is complete, send Certificate of Compliance or local inspector verification to the energy service consultant at CustomerGen@wisconsinpublicservice.com so we can witness or verify the system testing. This could include:
    • Witnessing commissioning tests.
    • Performing anti-islanding tests.
    • Verifying the protective equipment settings.

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For systems greater than 20kW

1. For any questions regarding this process please contact:
   
   • CustomerGen@wisconsinpublicservice.com
2. Select parallel generation rate reference
   • No Purchase by WPS
   • Purchase by WPS PG-2A
   • Purchase by WPS PG-2B
   • Purchase by WPS PG-2C
3. Review and understand the rules and requirements
   • Customer-owned solar generation diagram – overhead primary service
   • WPS Parallel Generation Rules
   • WPS Interconnection Technical Requirements
   • Wisconsin Administration Code Rules (PSC-119)
   • Wisconsin Distributed Generation Interconnection Guidelines
4. If the Application is over 20kW, complete the following forms, mail and/or send via email to: CustomerGen@wisconsinpublicservice.com Christine Behnke
   Wisconsin Public Service
   1717 10th Ave
   Menominee, MI 49858
5. Required - Wisconsin Standard Distributed Generation Application Form
6. Required - Select Supplement applying for (select one or more):
   • Solar Photovoltaic Supplement Form
   • Wind Turbine Supplement Form
   • Generator Supplement Form
7. Required only if installing - Energy Storage Supplement Form
8. Required only if new ownership is acquired. Skip 5-7 if using this form - Change of Ownership Form
   • WIDRC RENEW Interconnection letter
9. Interconnection Agreement - Distributed Gen Interconnect Agree 20kW to 15 MW
10. WPS reviews the application WPS will review your application to determine if it contains all of the information needed to begin the interconnection process. WPS will contact you about the status of your application. If the application is incomplete, additional information will be requested.
11. Engineering review determination When your application is complete, WPS will determine whether an engineering review is needed. If an engineering review is necessary, we notify you within 10 working days and state the charge for that review. Note: If you are not notified about a review in 10 days, go to step 15.
12. Engineering Review After you notify us in writing to proceed and submit applicable payment, WPS will complete the engineering review and notify you of results.
13. WPS determines if a distribution study is needed Your engineering review will determine if a distribution study is need. This study is to assess the level of impact your system will have when it’s connected to the grid. WPS will inform you of the costs of this study. After you have provided written authorization to proceed and paid the applicable fee, we’ll complete the study.
14. Discuss distribution study and review interconnection options and costs Once the distribution study is complete, WPS will contact you to discuss the all of the options available – along with their associated costs – and the project timeline for the interconnection of your parallel generation system.
15. Installation of parallel generation and distribution system upgrades You will need to install your generating equipment within a mutually agreed upon timeframe. After receipt of payment for the agreed-upon interconnection costs, WPS will perform all work needed to upgrade the distribution system to accommodate your parallel generation system.
16. Sign the interconnection agreement Before parallel operation can begin, both you and WPS will need to complete and sign a standard interconnection agreement and power purchase agreement.
17. Test the system When the installation of your system is complete, send Certificate of Compliance or local inspector verification to the energy service consultant at CustomerGen@wisconsinpublicservice.com so we can witness or verify the system testing. This could include:
    • Witnessing commissioning tests.
    • Performing anti-islanding tests.
    • Verifying the protective equipment settings.

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Other renewable energy resources

• Wisconsin Distributed Resources Collaborative
• Database of state incentives for renewables and efficiency
• Midwest Renewable Energy Association
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission – Qualifying Facilities
• Focus on Energy
• Customer-owned renewable generation definitions

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