Member-Owned Generation

Member-owned generation, also called cogeneration, follows the Cooperative Minnesota Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Process, also known as C-MIP. This process was effective June 1, 2019, and is utilized for all applications for interconnection of member-owned renewable Distributed Energy Resources (DER). Cogeneration allows you to purchase and sell power to and from WH. 

New Distributed Utility Required Profile

Contractors: Please review WH's new Distributed Utility Required Profile (DU-URP), effective 1/2/24.

(1) Electricity is generated through wind, solar, or another approved source of home generation; (2) An inverter transforms DC electricity to AC for home use; (3) Energy is consumed at the site; (4) A meter(s) records power used and power added to the grid; (5) Excess energy generated at home is fed into Wright-Hennepin's grid

Please use the NOVA Power Portal to review the interconnection process, submit your interconnection application and track the status of your application.

How to begin the Interconnection process:

  1. Work with your electrician or contractor and complete the Interconnection Application through the NOVA Power Portal.
  2. Upon receipt of the required documents, WH personnel will perform an engineering review of the proposed interconnection and determine the estimated construction charges that will apply. If changes are necessary, an email will be sent to the installer requesting additional information. If construction charges apply, an aid to construction agreement must be signed by the owner and uploaded to the NOVA Power Portal. Once approved, you will receive an email confirmation that the system has been approved and you may begin construction based on the final design.
  3. Complete the Cogeneration and small Power Production Facilities for installations 100 kW and below. For installations greater than 100 kW, WH will negotiate a contract consistent with WH’s Interconnection Agreement for the Interconnection of Extended Parallel Distributed Generation Systems with Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association.
  4. When the system is ready to be interconnected, please upload the Certificate of Completion along with the Electrical Permit and Inspection Report to the NOVA Power Portal. A WH representative will contact you to make an appointment to perform the site test and interconnection.
  5. A grid access settlement will be applied to applicable cogeneration systems. See Small Power Production Rider. 

Document links:

Annual Filings

A member who has a dispute with the Cooperative with respect to the member’s or the Cooperative’s rights or obligations regarding distributed generation (such as wind generation or solar facilities) shall first complete the Dispute Form. The Cooperative will schedule an information meeting between you and the Cooperative’s CEO within 10 business days of receipt of this form. If that meeting does not resolve the dispute, then a hearing by the Cooperative’s Board or Directors will be scheduled. This process is governed by the Cooperative’s distributed generation rules as authorized by Minnesota Statues 216B.164, Subd. 11. Dispute Form

Please fully vet solar companies prior to entering into a contract.

Other Inquiries:

New Services
6800 Electric Drive, PO Box 330, Rockford, MN 55373
(763) 477-3150
DER@whe.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need to do to connect with WH’s power grid?

Follow the steps through the NOVA Power Portal. If you have any questions, contact us at (763) 477-3150 or by email at DER@whe.org.

Can I sell energy back to the utility if I generate more power than I use?

Yes, you can. This is called net metering, excess production or rollover.

How does net metering work?

When a member’s system generates more power than is being consumed at the home, it sends the power back to WH. To easily monitor both the energy delivered to the home by WH and the energy delivered to the grid by the cogeneration facility, WH currently uses two meters (one for each). At the end of the month, systems less than 40 kW will “net” the total excess generation delivered to the grid from the total energy delivered to the home. See Small Power Production Rider for rate options.

Are there any costs to me to do so?

WH will charge you for the cost of the interconnection and any service upgrade costs, as well as an application fee. For more detailed information please email New Services at DER@wheorg or call (763) 477-3150. You may also review our Small Power Production Rider for rate options.

How much will you pay me for the excess power I produce?

  1. For systems less than 40 kW, WH will compensate the member for any net excess generation produced (energy produced above their consumption) at the “average retail utility energy rate.” For systems 40 kW and over, WH does not “net” the member’s excess production against their consumption. Rather, WH will purchase the total excess energy produced each month at its wholesale power supplier’s avoided cost.
  2. For a cogeneration system to qualify for the “average retail utility energy rate” through net metering, the following conditions must be met:
    1. Must satisfy the conditions established in Code of Federal Regulations, title 18, part 292. The size determination of the qualifying facility must include all facilities that are owned by the same person(s) or its affiliates, and are located at the same site. The “same site” means qualifying facilities that are located within one mile of each other.
    2. The aggregate of qualifying systems on a site must be less than 40 kW

Can I still get power from WH when I need more than I produce?

Yes, you can. WH has members participating in net metering, who both buy and sell power to the grid. We do not have any members totally off the grid. In Minnesota, there are long winter days with little sunlight. On these days especially, you will likely need power from WH.

Interconnection Requirements:

To ensure safe installations, all grid-tied cogeneration systems must meet relevant provisions of the National Electrical Code (NEC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE 1547) Minnesota Statute 216B.164, Minnesota Rules Chapter 7835 and electric utility requirements. Installations must also comply with all local permitting and zoning codes, fire codes, building codes and local and federal laws, rules, and requirements. The member installing Cogeneration is responsible for ensuring that the installer follows all applicable rules and codes, including WH’s interconnection process and requirements.

Consumer protection – read before you buy

We care about you. Please make sure when you are considering your own power generation, that you use a reputable company to do the work. We recommend getting three bids to make sure they are competitive. And make sure that you get referrals as well to protect yourself from a poor investment.

A member who has a dispute with the Cooperative with respect to the member’s or the Cooperative’s rights or obligations regarding distributed generation (such as wind generation or solar facilities) shall first complete the Dispute Form. The Cooperative will schedule an information meeting between you and the Cooperative’s CEO within 10 business days of receipt of this form. If that meeting does not resolve the dispute, then a hearing by the Cooperative’s Board or Directors will be scheduled. This process is governed by the Cooperative’s distributed generation rules as authorized by Minnesota Statues 216B.164, Subd. 11. Dispute Form

Please fully vet solar companies prior to entering into a contract.

What will the net metering equipment look like on my home?

Who maintains the solar panels after they are installed at my home?

The homeowner owns and maintains the solar array and is responsible for all maintenance. 

How will my solar production fluctuate per month?

What happens if I need a new roof?

The solar array will need to be removed and re-installed after the roof is complete. This is the responsibility of the array owner (homeowner) and not the utility. 

What might impact the production of my solar array?

Snow, shade, tree growth, cloud cover, dirt buildup, normal wear and tear, and maintenance issues all have the potential to impact the production of your array. WH has found weather to be the main factor in reduction of energy production.

What happens if there is snow cover on my solar panels?

It is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain the solar panels, therefore, snow removal is the responsibility of the homeowner.

Do I need to insure my solar panels?

Yes, general liability insurance is required. The amount needed depends on the size of your system. Click here to learn about insurance requirements. 

What is the monthly Grid Access Settlement Fee?

This fee is assessed to all member-owned Qualified Facilities (QF).
Grid access fee ensures all members are charged appropriately for the cooperative’s distribution system costs.   Residential energy charges are comprised of a monthly basic charge and a variable energy charge.  WH recovers a portion of its fixed costs via the variable energy charge. The Grid access fee recovers utility fixed costs that WH expects to recover through variable energy charges. The grid access fee is based on the size of the solar array and recovers the cost associated with under recovery for each size of solar array.       
The monthly cost per kW on a system greater than 3.5 kW is $2.78/kW. The monthly maximum is $20.00. See current Small Power Production Rider.

What rate options are available for a Residential install?

Average Retail Cooperative Energy Rate (ARCER):

  • The cooperative shall compensate the Qualified Facility (QF) for excess energy generated by the QF at the ARCER rate. 

Roll-Over Credit Purchase Rate:

  • When the energy generated by the QF exceeds that supplied by the Cooperative, the Cooperative shall apply the excess kWh as a credit to the next billing period’s electric use. Excess kWh that are not offset in the next billing period shall continue to be rolled over to the next billing period. Any extra kWh rolled over that are remaining at the end of each calendar year shall expire with no additional compensation.

How many bids should I get?

Wright-Hennepin recommends members get more that one bid from a qualified solar installer.

If I install a solar array, do I need to notify WH?

Yes. Contact WH at (763) 477-3150 or by email at DER@whe.org.
 

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