Customer-Owned Electrical Generation

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Wisconsin electric utility customers have the option of procuring energy resources by installing their own source of electric generation. Often referred to as distributed generation (DG), customer-owned electric generation systems (COGS) are generally located at the customer’s residence or place of business.

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In addition to providing on-site electricity to customers, DG can also generate more electricity than the customer uses. DGs that are interconnected to the utility distribution grid can sell excess electricity onto the grid, thereby serving as an additional electric generation resource to the customer’s utility.

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Interconnection Procedure

If you are an individual or represent a company interested in interconnecting a distributed generator (DG) of 15 MW or less to the utility grid, please follow these steps:

  1. Review PSC Chapter 119 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code and the DG Interconnection Guidelines.
  2. Contact the electric utility or cooperative association (electric provider) serving your DG site to obtain the proper application and agreement forms. See Distributed Generation Points of Contact for the necessary information for each electric provider in Wisconsin.
  3. The application and interconnection agreement forms are for information only. Please contact your electric provider to obtain the appropriate application and interconnection agreement forms.
  4. Submit forms directly to the utility.

Distributed Electric Generation Forms

State-approved Distributed Generation Interconnection Forms are provided below. Customers may also wish to consult additional information on application forms available from the Electrical Interconnection - Wisconsin Distributed Resources Collaborative.

Please send completed forms to your electric provider.

Generation 20 kW or LessDate
Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement for Generation 20 kW or LessApril 19, 2004
Distributed Generation Application for Generation 20 kW or LessMarch 4, 2004
Generation Greater than 20 kW up to 15 MWDate
Distributed Generation Interconnection Agreement for Generation Greater than 20 kW up to 15 MWApril 12, 2004
Distributed Generation Application for Generation Greater than 20 kW up to 15 MWMarch 4, 2004

Buyback Rates

Utilities offer specific parallel generation tariffs for DG, which include purchase rates (referred to as “buyback rates”) a customer will receive for any excess electricity above their consumption needs. Electric customers who wish to install an electric generating facility may qualify for certain buy-back rates offered by their utility provider.

Net Metering

Net metering (also known as net energy billing) is available in Wisconsin for investor-owned utility and municipal utility customers who wish to install customer-owned electric generation below a certain size threshold. Under net metering, a customer is billed on the difference between the energy it consumes and the energy it produces during a billing period.

Tariffs

Look up information about the tariffs your electric provider has in place under which you may be eligible to sell power back to your utility provider.


Contact PSC Staff

Division of Energy Regulation and Analysis
PSCDLDERAGeneral@wisconsin.gov
(608) 266-5481


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