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Investor-owned utility

Alabama Power interconnection application

Alabama Power is an investor-owned utility serving 1,342,827 residential customers in Alabama (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: PowerClerk (Alabama Power DER PowerClerk). Gridpol files Alabama Power interconnection applications for licensed installers – solar, storage and EV chargers – with single-line diagram and site plan, unlimited for $500 a month.

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Process verified from Alabama Power’s official sources (see below). Process PDF (July 2025) says packet provided by email while solar page says all applications now via PowerClerk - use PowerClerk.

Alabama Power at a glance

Utility

Alabama Power Co (Southern Company)

Type

Investor-owned utility

EIA utility ID

195

Residential customers

1,342,827 (EIA-861, 2025)

Net-metered residential customers

none reported

Service territory

59 counties in Alabama

How to apply

PowerClerk – Alabama Power DER PowerClerk · official link

Who submits

Customer or installer may submit (process document addresses 'the customer or installer' throughout; PTO letter goes to both).

Export compensation

Avoided cost – Rate RGB + Rate PAE (<100 kW) / Rate CPE (≥100 kW)
No net metering. Rate RGB (supplementary/backup/maintenance) applies to customers with interconnected generation; excess sold under Rate PAE (purchase of alternate energy) for <100 kW.

Review time (official)

Study durations: Tier I 1-2 weeks, Tier II 2-4 weeks, Tier III 4-12 weeks screening (additional studies up to 26 weeks). Design approval valid 365 days.

Documents Alabama Power asks for

  • Interconnection application formInterconnection Application (submitted in PowerClerk) Gridpol prepares this.
  • Single-line diagram (one-line)Guidebook 5.3.1: inverter qty/nameplate, battery kWh and charge/discharge rate, existing vs new equipment, manufacturer/model, AC disconnect details (lockable, visible blades, location relative to meter) Gridpol prepares this.
  • Site plan / site layoutGuidebook 5.3.2 Gridpol prepares this.
  • PV module spec sheetManufacturer equipment specification sheets (Guidebook 5.3.3)
  • Inverter spec sheetManufacturer spec sheets (Guidebook 5.3.3)
  • Battery spec sheet (when applicable)If storage included; SLD must show kWh and max charge/discharge
  • Other utility-specific documentLabeling per Guidebook 5.3.4
  • Photos (meter, main panel, equipment)Photographs of existing equipment (5.3.5); post-construction photos for Tier I/II after install (8.1.1)
  • Final inspection sign-off (when applicable)AHJ electrical inspection notification, or Parallel Generator Installation Certification signed by a licensed electrician where required

How the Alabama Power process runs

  1. Submit Interconnection Application with SLD, site plan, spec sheets, labeling, photos (PowerClerk).
  2. Pay study fee if applicable (Tier II/III).
  3. APC Interconnection Engineer reviews; revisions/upgrades emailed if needed (upgrade estimate valid 90 days).
  4. Design approved -> install (approval valid 365 days). Do not buy equipment before approval.
  5. Brief parallel operation only for testing (Tier I/II); Tier III needs written permission for test dates.
  6. Notify APC of completion; submit post-construction photos (Tier I/II) or as-builts (Tier III); AHJ inspection or Parallel Generator Installation Certification signed by licensed electrician.
  7. Optional on-site inspection (Tier I/II) / witness test (Tier III); meter reprogrammed or replaced.
  8. Written permission to operate sent to customer and installer.

Fees

FeeApplies toNote
$0Tier I ≤25 kWNo study fee; study 1-2 weeks
$500Tier II >25-100 kWStudy fee; 2-4 weeks
$1,000Tier III >100 kWScreening fee; further studies $10,000-$50,000 if required
$300Tier III optional pre-application

Utility fees are paid by the installer or customer; they are not part of the Gridpol plan.

Size levels and limits

LevelUp toNote
Tier I25 kW
Tier II100 kW
Tier III>100 kW

Tiers by total aggregate nameplate of DER energy conversion devices (Guidebook 5.2).

Storage, EV and stamps

Battery storage

Batteries go through the same DER process; SLD must state battery qty, total kWh, max charge/discharge rate. Guidebook defines Full-Export, Limited-Export and Non-Export generation; load is not an acceptable method to limit export; power control systems (software export limits) addressed in Guidebook. V2H/V2G applications use normal process (Appendix 1): V2H needs external AC disconnect and MID; V2G must meet SoCo policy.

PE stamp

System designs >100 kW must be stamped by a licensed professional engineer (APC DER TIR Guidebook). – PE-stamped drawings are not included in Gridpol.

Common issues the utility lists

  • Any modification incl. inverter replacement with a different model requires a new application and PTO before parallel operation.
  • Proceeding before design approval with non-compliant design: 30 days to correct or power disconnected.
  • Deficiencies found at on-site inspection require correction and re-inspection request.

Gridpol’s pre-submission check covers these before we file.

Sources

Other utilities in Alabama

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Gridpol Unlimited

$500 / month

Unlimited interconnection applications. 12-month agreement, signed online. The agreement starts the day you sign; first invoice right away, then monthly.

  • Unlimited interconnection applications
  • Single-line diagram and site plan for every application
  • Pre-submission check against the utility’s requirements
  • Homeowner e-signature link for the authorization
  • Filing in your utility portal accounts or by the utility’s method
  • Utility questions, corrections and resubmissions
  • Follow-up through approval, inspection and PTO
  • Customer list, exports, API and webhooks
Get started

Applications are typically submitted within 2 business days after complete documents. Utility review times are set by each utility.

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