REPORT OUTAGE: 800-762-1400
Interconnection Information
INTERCONNECTION AND PARALLEL OPERATION OF DISTRIBUTED GENERATION
I. OBJECTIVE
To establish safety, reliability and economic standards for interconnection and parallel operation of distributed generation of member-owned on-site electric generation facilities using renewable fuel sources designed primarily to offset the member’s electrical requirements.
II. DEFINITIONS
Distributed Generation is defined as any generation built within close proximity to the generating member’s load regardless of generation capacity or energy source of such generation and includes but is not limited to:
A. small scale environmentally friendly generators such as photovoltaics (PV), fuel cells, small wind turbines;
B. microturbines or reciprocating engines fueled by renewable fuels such as landfill gas or methane gas from digesters;
C. any qualifying facility (QF) under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA);
D. any on-site generation with less than 40 kilowatts (hereafter “kW”) of capacity interconnected with distribution facilities;
E. commercial emergency and standby diesel generators installed, for example, in hospitals, hotels and farms;
F. residential standby generators;
G. generators installed by a utility at a substation for voltage support or other reliability purposes.
Cooperative – Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative, an Illinois not for profit corporation.
IEEE Standard 1547 – The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc. (IEEE) Standard 1547 (2017) “Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems”, as amended and supplemented, at the time the interconnection request is submitted.
IEEE Standard 1547.1 – The IEEE Standard 1547.1 (2018) “Conformance Test Procedures for Equipment Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems”, as amended and supplemented, at the time the interconnection request is submitted.
Nameplate Capacity – The maximum rated output of a generator, prime mover, or other electric power production equipment under specific conditions designated by the manufacturer and is usually indicated on a nameplate physically attached to the power production equipment.
Small Generator Facility – The equipment used by an interconnection member to generate, or store electricity that operates in parallel with the electric distribution system with a Nameplate Capacity of 40 kilowatts (hereafter “kW”) or less. A Small Generator Facility typically includes an electric generator, prime mover, and the interconnection equipment required to safely interconnect with the electric distribution system or local electric power system. These facilities have been approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or must have been approved by the Cooperative under a study process and qualify for expedited review.
UL Standard 1741 – Underwriters Laboratories’ standard titled “Inverters Converters, and Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems”, February 15, 2018, edition, as amended and supplemented.
Witness Test – For lab certified or field approved equipment, verification (either by an on-site observation or review of documents) by the Cooperative that the interconnection installation evaluation required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.3 and the commissioning test required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.4 have been adequately performed. For interconnection equipment that has not been lab certified or field approved, the Witness Test shall also include the verification by the Cooperative of the on-site design tests as required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.1 and verification by the Cooperative of production tests required by IEEE Standard 1547 Section 5.2. All tests verified by the Cooperative are to be performed in accordance with the test procedures specified by IEEE Standard 1547.1.
III. APPLICABILITY
This interconnection policy applies to Cooperative members proposing to install and interconnect Small Generator Facilities that:
A. Have a Nameplate Capacity less than 40 kW;
B. Are not subject to the interconnection requirements of the Independent System Operations and Regional Transmission Organization; and
C. Are designed to operate in parallel with the electric distribution system.
IV. INTERCONNECTION REQUESTS
A. Members seeking to interconnect a Small Generator Facility shall submit an interconnection request using the form attached hereto as Attachment A. The request may be eligible for expedited interconnection review if the request is for a Small Generator Facility using lab certified or field approved interconnection equipment.
B. Interconnection equipment shall be deemed to be lab certified if it is evaluated by a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL) and found to be in compliance with IEEE Standard 1547, including use of IEEE Standard 1547.1 testing protocols to establish conformity, UL Standard 1741 and NFPA 70 National Electrical Code.
C. Interconnection equipment shall be deemed to be field approved if within the previous 36 months of the date of the interconnection request, it has been previously approved for use with the proposed Small Generator Facility in a materially identical system application, and the prior approval process included a successful Witness Test.
D. The member must submit to the Cooperative plans of the proposed installation and must obtain approval for the installation. This approval process will include a review by the Cooperative of the effect of the proposed generation on the Cooperative’s distribution system, including its protective scheme. The member requesting interconnection shall pay the cost of this review. No installation will be permitted that reduces reliability to other members or causes voltage conditions on the system to be outside of the limits of ANSI C84.1 Range A. No installation will be permitted that is expected to produce objectionable harmonics on the system. Any mitigation required to resolve harmonic problems created by a member-owned generator will be completed and paid for by the member.
E. For generating facilities with nameplate ratings of 40 kW or more, the member must comply with Southern Illinois Power Cooperative’s Facilities Connection Requirements.
V. REVIEW
A. The Cooperative shall review the application and evaluate the potential for adverse system impacts. All costs of construction of facilities on the Cooperative’s system to accommodate the Small Generator Facility shall be paid by the member.
B. The Cooperative shall, within 15 business days after receipt of the interconnection request, inform the applicant that the interconnection request is complete or incomplete and if so, what materials are missing.
C. The Cooperative shall, within 15 business days after the end of the 15 business days noted in B. above, verify that the Small Generator Facility equipment can be interconnected safely and reliably.
D. Unless the Cooperative determines and demonstrates that a Small Generator Facility cannot be interconnected safely or reliably to its system and provides a letter to the applicant explaining its reasons for denying an interconnection request, the Cooperative shall approve the interconnection request subject to the following conditions:
-
- The Small Generator Facility has been approved by local or municipal electric code officials with jurisdiction over the interconnections;
- A certificate of completion has been returned to the Cooperative. Completion of local inspections may be designated on inspection forms used by local inspecting authorities;
- The Witness Test has been successfully completed or waived; and
- The applicant has signed a standard small generator interconnection agreement and provided proof applicant has complied with the terms of the agreement. When an applicant does not sign the agreement within 30 business days after receipt from the Cooperative, the interconnection request will be deemed withdrawn unless the applicant requests to have the deadline extended for an additional 30 days (the “Extension”). No further extensions shall be allowed. The request for Extension shall not be denied by the Cooperative.
VI. INSURANCE RECOMMENDATION AND INDEMNIFICATION
It is recommended, but not required that the member consult legal counsel to determine the member’s potential liability resulting from its interconnection to the Cooperative’s facilities, and that any policy issued throughout the term of this agreement, carry a liability insurance policy issued by a licensed insurance carrier with an A.M. Best rating of B+ or better that provides protection against claims for damages resulting from (i) bodily injury, including wrongful death; and (ii) property damage arising out of the member’s ownership and/or operation of the Distributed Generation facility under this agreement. It is recommended that the limits of such policy be at least $1,000,000 per occurrence.
VII. MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS
A. The Cooperative shall be reimbursed for all costs of interconnection, including all carrying costs, incurred by the Cooperative in connecting the member generation facility to the distribution system. Those costs for interconnection of Small Generator Facilities shall not exceed $500.00 unless the facility fails initial testing and additional review is necessary.
B. The Cooperative shall have free access to the member’s Small Generator Facility and interconnection equipment at all times to monitor operation of the member’s equipment, Cooperative-supplied service equipment connected to such system, or to disconnect if the facility is not in compliance with the requirements of IEEE Standard 1547 and the non-compliance adversely affects the safety or reliability of the electric system. The Cooperative shall, unless an emergency that could affect either the reliability or safety of the Cooperative’s facilities is present, provide reasonable notice to the member prior to disconnection of the facility if possible.
C. The Cooperative shall have the right to inspect and approve all plans for parallel generation systems and the interconnection systems prior to initial operation or subsequent operation following modifications.
D. The member shall make any necessary changes or adjustments to the additional facilities being operated in parallel to eliminate interference on the Cooperative’s distribution system.
E. The member shall not energize the Cooperative’s system during any period of utility service interruption. The member’s equipment must contain a disconnect device to which the Cooperative has access and which the Cooperative can lock in an open position to disconnect, for safety reasons, the member’s electric generating facility from the Cooperative’s electric delivery system.
F. Electric generation facilities may be disconnected by the Cooperative from its system whenever, in the sole opinion of the Cooperative, such action is required by an emergency, for reasons of safety or due to interference with service to other members. The facility shall also be subject to the Cooperative’s requirements for maintaining voltage standards of output and the production of reactive power.
G. Phase, frequency and voltage of the member’s interconnected generation shall be compatible with that provided by the Cooperative.
H. The members shall pay the cost of interconnection as set forth in A above and all initial and future transmission, distribution, metering, service and other facilities costs necessary to permit interconnected operations with the Cooperative.
I. Any auxiliary or reserve power service required by the member must be arranged in accordance with the terms of the Cooperative’s applicable policies/rates as modified from time to time.
ADOPTED: January 28, 2008
Reviewed: June 30, 2014
Amended: February 19, 2015
Amended: January 30, 2017
Amended: May 23, 2022
Amended: February 27, 2023
Downloads:
COOPERATIVE PURCHASE OF EXCESS MEMBER OWNED GENERATION CAPACITY
1. OBJECTIVE
To comply with the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (hereafter "PURPA"), enhance the continued diversification of Illinois' energy resource mix and protect the Illinois environment through the use of renewable fuel sources while honoring the Southern Illinois Electric Cooperative's (hereafter "Cooperative") obligation to provide electricity to all members on a cooperative basis in accordance with the Illinois Not-for-Profit Act and Revenue Code Section 501(c)(12).
2. DEFINITIONS
Avoided Costs means the incremental costs to the Cooperative of electric energy or capacity or both which, but for the purchase from the eligible renewable electrical generating facility, the Cooperative would generate itself or purchase from another source. Avoided costs shall include the following:
- Wholesale Avoided Energy Costs
- Avoided Transmission Losses
- Avoided Distribution Losses
- Annual Average of the Power Cost Adder
- Avoided Demand Capacity
Wholesale Avoided Energy Costs are the avoided variable costs associated with the production of electric energy. These costs represent the avoided costs of fuel and some operating and maintenance expenses or the cost of purchased energy. Identifiable capacity charges included in purchase power agreements shall not be included in the calculation of avoided energy costs.
Avoided Transmission Losses are the avoided variable costs associated with the line loss of the delivery of electric energy over transmission lines.
Avoided Distribution Losses are the avoided variable costs associated with the line loss of the delivery of electric energy over distribution lines.
Annual Average of the Power Cost Adder is the avoided variable cost associated with the wholesale power cost adjustment.
Avoided Demand Capacity Costs are the costs associated with providing the capability to deliver energy. They consist primarily of the capital costs of facilities used to generate and transmit electricity.
Eligible Cooperative Member means a Cooperative member that owns or operates a solar, wind, or other eligible renewable electrical generating facility with a rated capacity of not more than 40 kilowatts (hereafter "kW") that is located on the member's premises and is utilized to offset the member's own electrical requirements.
Eligible Renewable Electrical Generating Facility (hereafter "EREGF') means a generator powered by solar electric energy, wind, dedicated crops grown for electricity generation, anaerobic digestion of livestock or food processing waste, fuel cells or microturbines powered by renewable fuels, or hydroelectric energy.
Net Electricity Metering (hereafter "Net Metering") means the measurement, during the billing period applicable to an existing member, of the net amount of electricity supplied by the Cooperative to the member's premises or provided to the Cooperative by the member. Existing members receiving service as of December 31, 2016, and billed as Net Metering, as set forth in the above sentence, will be allowed to continue under existing Net Metering provisions for a period of ten (10) years, ending May 31, 2027. Thereafter, the member shall be billed in accordance with the Avoided Costs provisions.
3. APPLICABILITY
This policy applies to eligible Cooperative members that choose to interconnect their EREGF with the Cooperative's distribution system and operate the same in parallel with the Cooperative system.
4. PROVISIONS
A. The eligible Cooperative member shall first comply with the provisions of the Cooperative's Policy 472 - Interconnection and Parallel Operation of Distributed Generation.
B. The Cooperative will install and maintain metering equipment capable of measuring the flow of electricity both into and out of the member's facility at the same rate and ratio. If the member requests an additional meter, the cost of installing and maintaining the same shall be paid by the member.
C. The Cooperative shall compensate the eligible member for any kilowatt-hours generated onto the Cooperative's distribution system at the Cooperative's Avoided Costs of electricity supply over the monthly periods or as otherwise determined by the terms of a power purchase agreement negotiated between the member and Cooperative. Alternative arrangements may include but are not limited to:
monthly capacity fees representing Capacity Costs,
net billing,
time of use rates,
facilities charge adjustments,
stand-by rates,
Wholesale Avoided Energy Costs
Avoided Total Costs,
all of which should reflect the cost of providing power to the eligible member and does not discriminate between eligible members and members without an EREGF.
D. For EREGFs with a nameplate rating of 40 kW or more, the eligible member shall comply with Southern Illinois Power Cooperative's metering and interconnection requirements.
E. Subject to the provisions described in the above Definition Section titled Net Electricity Metering, beginning January 1, 2017, for all EREGFs, Net Metering will no longer be offered. The Cooperative shall charge the member for the electricity supplied to and used by the member at the Cooperative's applicable rate schedule for the member. The Cooperative shall then compensate the member for electricity supplied and used by the Cooperative at the Cooperative's Avoided Costs of electricity supply.
F. All renewable energy credits, greenhouse gas emission credits and renewable energy attributes related to any electricity produced by the EREGF and purchased by the Cooperative shall belong to the eligible member.
G. The Cooperative shall purchase excess member owned generation capacity until the load of its eligible members equals 5% of the total peak demand supplied by the Cooperative during the previous year. The Cooperative may in its sole discretion purchase excess capacity beyond the 5% level.
H. This policy is subject to all federal, state and local laws, the Cooperative's articles of incorporation, bylaws and existing policies (all as from time to time amended by the Cooperative) and the terms and conditions of the Cooperative's existing power supply contracts and loan agreements. To the extent any provision of this policy conflicts with those obligations, these provisions are void.
- Adopted: January 28, 2008
- Amended: July 29, 2013
- Reviewed: June 30, 2014
- Amended: February 19, 2015
- Amended: December 19, 2016
- Amended: February 28, 2022
- Amended: May 23, 2022
- Amended: February 27, 2023
- Amended: August 25, 2025
Are you a homeowner or small business owner considering a renewable energy installation?
There are questions that you first need to be able to answer yourself and that you should address with professionals (installers/contractors, insurance agents, and your utility) before committing to a solar, wind, or geothermal system.
A renewable energy system is an investment that should be carefully considered and assessed. Classes may be available through nonprofit organizations and local colleges that can provide residential and small business owners with foundational knowledge to help in making informed decisions.
Questions to research and answer PRIOR to contacting an installer/contractor
These questions can help you clarify exactly what you are looking for by installing a renewable energy system and help you gather information that the installer you pick will need to know before any work begins.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
□ What are my goals for pursuing a renewable project? Are you looking to use renewables to generate electricity and/or reduce natural gas use, or do you want to completely disconnect from the grid?
□ Have I educated myself about the installation and maintenance of a renewable energy system and where can I learn more? Learn more at these websites:
• Geothermal – www.igshpa.okstate.edu
• Solar – www.nrel.gov/solar
• Wind – www.awea.org
FINANCIAL AND INCENTIVE QUESTIONS
□ How much can I afford? Depending on where you are located, what system will work for you, local regulations, and incentives, the price can vary widely for different types of renewable systems.
□ Are there state, federal, local or utility incentives for renewable energy for a residence or small business? Many incentives are listed at www.dsireusa.org.
□ What is the application process for these incentives? Do I apply before the installation or after? Be sure to find out the details of the application process before installation so that you follow all of the necessary requirements to receive any available incentives.
ENERGY USE QUESTIONS
□ What is my annual electricity usage in kWh?
□ What is my summer and winter electric use in kWh?
□ What is my annual gas usage in therms?
□ What is my summer and winter gas use in therms?
You can answer the above questions by looking at your utility bills or by consulting with your utility.
□ What are the benefits of having an energy audit before investing in a renewable energy system? A home energy audit is a great tool to assess how much energy your home consumes and to evaluate what measures you can take to make your home is more energy efficient. An audit will show you problems that may, when corrected, save you significant amounts of money over time. Check with your utility to see if they offer free or low cost energy audits.*
□ What percentage of my energy needs would I like to supply with renewable sources?
Defining your expectations will help identify the equipment needed to reach your goal.
□ Is my main electrical service panel adequate? Consultation with a qualified electrician can help you make this assessment.
SITE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
□ How large is my yard/acreage? Knowing this allows for the option of a ground mount solar array. You will also need this information to assess the viability of a wind turbine tower.
□ How old is my roof? If a roof is near the end of its service, like 15+ years, then it is prudent to re-roof before mounting a solar array so that the array does not have to be removed later for a new roof.
□ Is my roof structurally sound? Consultation with a contractor can help you make this assessment.
□ Is my roof positioned well for solar or wind? If not, what are other options? Generally speaking, you want your panels to face south. If they face a different direction you will see loss in efficiency.
□ Is there another building (garage, shed, barn) that can be utilized? This could be an important consideration if the roof on your home is not facing south.
□ Does my site have potential issues like shading or obstructions? Such issues may rule out a particular renewable energy system.
□ Do I need approval from my homeowners association? Homeowner association requirements vary greatly. Check with your local clerk of courts for your association’s covenants and restrictions.
HIRING/CONTRACTING QUESTIONS
□ What, if any, certifications or licenses are required by contractors? Licensing requirements are put into place to protect consumers as well as the reputation of the industry. Contractor licensing is required by and specified by states. Certifications are optional for installers/contractors. It reflects additional training, experience, or testing voluntary undertaken by the installer/contractor. For more information, visit www.dsireusa.org/solar/ solarpolicyguide/?id=23.
□ How do I find a qualified contractor? These web sites can help you find a qualified contractor: www.findsolar.com, www.nabcep.org, and www.igshpa.okstate.edu.
PERMITTING QUESTIONS
□ Do I need to get a permit from my municipality and/or county?
□ What are the fees for a permit?
□ How long does the permit process usually take?
Regulations, costs, and processing time vary by location. A good place to start is your municipality’s/county’s zoning office.
□ Are inspectors in my municipality trained in renewable energy systems? If not, this could add time and cost to a project.
INSURANCE QUESTIONS
□ Is additional home-owners insurance required for a renewable energy system? Not necessarily. Most insurance companies these days cover home solar panels. In fact, many carriers may offer a slightly lower rate because environmentally-friendly people are less likely to make an insurance claim. Some insurance companies have even been known to offer a 2 to 3 percent discount for home solar panels. However, some insurance companies will charge a fee for the home solar panels, arguing that it adds an increased value to the home. Check with your insurance agent and make sure your carrier will insure your home solar panels and see if you can get a discount or low rate. Also check with your power provider for any insurance requirements they might have. **
SOLAR-SPECIFIC QUESTION
□ Do I want to use solar for electricity, hot water, and/or space heating? This will determine the size of the array or collector needed and how much energy will be used to provide space heat. Your installer can provide more information.
WIND-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
□ What are the local regulations for wind turbines? Local regulations will determine set back and spacing requirements from property lines and occupied dwellings. The authority having jurisdiction will have more information on this.
□ Would wind be possible/logical for my site and application? In some areas, with tall buildings or trees, wind might not be a feasible option. More information can be found at www.awea.org.
GEOTHERMAL-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
□ What different types of geothermal systems are there, and which system would be best for my application?
□ Will the site support a geothermal system?
□ Is there enough room for a closed loop system?
□ Is a pond available on the site?
The website www.energysavers.gov/renewable_energy/geothermal can help you find the information you need for answering these questions.
NET METERING/INTERCONNECTION QUESTIONS
□ What is net metering? Net metering allows for the flow of electricity both to and from the customer—typically through a single, bi-directional meter. When a customer’s generation exceeds the customer’s use, electricity from the customer flows back to the grid, offsetting electricity consumed by the customer at a different time during the same billing cycle. In effect, the customer uses excess generation to offset electricity that the customer otherwise would have to purchase at the utility’s full retail rate. Net metering is required by law in most U.S. states, but these policies vary widely.***
□ What is interconnection? Interconnection standards specify the technical and procedural process by which a customer connects an electricity-generating system to the grid. Such standards include the technical and contractual terms that system owners and utilities must abide by. State public utility commissions typically establish standards for interconnection to the distribution grid, while the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has adopted standards for interconnection to the transmission level. Many states have adopted interconnection standards, but some states’ standards apply only to investor-owned utilities— not to municipal utilities or electric cooperatives. (Several states have adopted interconnection guidelines, which are weaker than standards and generally apply only to net- metered systems.)* Find out your state’s policies on net metering at www.dsireusa.org.
□ Is net metering/interconnection an option from my electric utility or electricity provider? Contact your utility for this information.
□ Is there an application and fee associated with net metering and/or interconnection? Some power providers charge fees. They will vary with each entity and can run from a few dollars to several hundred. Check with your provider for applicable fees.
* www.energysavers.gov
** www.insuranceagents.com
*** www.dsireusa.org
Questions to ask DURING meetings with professionals
These questions can help guide discussions with installers/contractors, your insurance agent, and your utility to help you make decisions and guide project work. Some of these may repeat questions you’ve previously answered in your own research, but it is a good idea to get the input of the installers/contractors and other professionals on these matters as well.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
□ What types of renewable energy systems are currently available?
□ Which technology offers the best investment of my resources?
□ Which technology fits my needs the best?
FINANCIAL AND INCENTIVE QUESTIONS
□ Is financing available through my installer, city (PACE), or local bank?
□ When do I apply for incentives?
□ Are any incentives guaranteed, or is there an approval process?
□ Will the quote I receive from my contractor include the incentives?
□ Will my contractor submit the paperwork for the incentives, or will I need to do that?
□ Are there additional fees to consider besides the system components and installation—like permitting, interconnection, structural engineer, etc.?
ENERGY USE QUESTIONS
□ Is my main electrical service panel adequate?
□ Should I have an energy audit before investing in a renewable energy system?
□ How do energy efficiency improvements affect a renewable energy system?
SITE ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS
□ Is my roof structurally sound?
□ Is my roof positioned well for solar or wind? If not, what are other options?
□ How much space is required for the various renewable energy projects that I am interested in?
□ Does my site have issues (shading, obstructions, etc.) that rule out a particular renewable energy system?
□ What are the zoning and permit requirements in my municipality and/or county?
□ Do I need approval from my homeowners association?
HIRING/CONTRACTING QUESTIONS
□ What kind of experience and training does the contractor have?
□ What licenses, certifications, and/or accreditations does the contractor have?
PERMITTING QUESTION
□ Do I have to apply for the permit or will the installer/contractor?
INSURANCE QUESTIONS
□ Is additional homeowners insurance required for a renewable energy system?
□ Do I need to independently insure the renewable energy system?
□ Are there any related discounts available?
SOLAR-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
□ Would solar photovoltaic or solar thermal be possible/logical for my site and application?
□ What size system (electric or thermal) do I need?
□ How much does a system (electric or thermal) cost?
□ What are the local regulations for solar systems?
□ How much will my electric bill be reduced annually by installing a solar photovoltaic system?
□ How much will my gas bill be reduced annually by installing a solar thermal system?
□ Are there any maintenance costs? If so, what are they? Can I do them myself, or do I have to hire someone?
□ How do I deal with weather and storm-related effects, such as snow and hail?
WIND-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
□ Would wind be possible/logical for my site and application?
□ What size system would I need?
□ How much does a system cost?
□ How much will my electric bill be reduced annually by installing a wind turbine?
□ What are the maintenance costs, and can I do them myself, or do I have to hire someone?
GEOTHERMAL-SPECIFIC QUESTIONS
□ Is geothermal possible/logical for my site and application?
□ How much does a system cost?
□ How much energy will a geothermal system save me annually?
□ What is the net energy impact of a geothermal system? It saves gas usage, but does it increase electric usage?
NET METERING/INTERCONNECTION QUESTIONS
□ What is required by my electric utility? How much lead time is required?
□ Will my contractor submit interconnection and net metering applications, or will I be responsible for that?
400 Chatham Road, Suite 201
Springfield, IL 62704
217-546-6815