Minnesota Utility Interconnection Applications – Solar, Storage & EV

Minn. Stat. § 216B.1611; MN PUC Orders in Docket E-999/CI-16-521 (Aug. 13, 2018; Apr. 19, 2019) adopting the Minnesota Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Process (MN DIP), MN DER Interconnection Agreement (MN DIA) and Minnesota Technical Requirements; implemented in each rate-regulated utility's tariff – Minnesota Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Process (MN DIP) · source

Applies to

DER <= 10 MW interconnecting to rate-regulated utilities: Xcel Energy (NSP), Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, and Dakota Electric Association (rate-regulated cooperative). Other cooperatives and municipal utilities adopt their own processes (MMUA M-MIP for munis; cooperative versions).

Application form

Statewide templates: Attachment 2 Simplified Application Form; Attachment 3 Interconnection Application (Fast Track/Study); Uniform Statewide Contract (Minn. R. ch. 7835) or MN DIA; Certificate of Completion. Utilities file versions with utility-specific information.

Timelines

Simplified: completeness 10 BD (customer 5 BD to cure, utility 5 BD to re-review); screening 20 BD; executable agreement 5 days; customer returns agreement within 30 BD; witness test within 10 BD of Certificate of Completion or deemed waived; permission to operate within 3 BD of inspection/waiver. Fast Track: receipt notice 3 BD, initial review 15 BD after complete.

Fees

MN DIP 1.5.1: Simplified up to $100; Fast Track up to $100 + $1/kW certified, $100 + $2/kW non-certified; Study: down payment up to $1,000 + $2/kW. No additional fees except as specified.

Export compensation

NEM – Minn. Stat. § 216B.164; Minn. R. ch. 7835
Applies to all MN utilities incl. cooperatives and munis. < 40 kW: may elect average retail utility energy rate (coops/munis may charge a cost-justified fixed-cost fee and may use kWh credit expiring at year end). Public utilities: 40 kW-1,000 kW net metered with kWh credit carried forward, annual excess paid at applicable rate (subd. 3a). Uniform statewide contract for <1,000 kW (public utilities) and <40 kW (coops/munis) (subd. 6). Muni/coop boards may act as 'commission' if they adopt implementing rules (subd. 9, 11).

Not bound by the rule

Municipal utilities and cooperatives (except Dakota Electric) are not bound by the MN DIP tariff orders but must adopt interconnection standards under Minn. Stat. § 216B.1611 and follow § 216B.164 for < 40 kW net metering; munis commonly use the MMUA Minnesota Municipal Interconnection Process (M-MIP), cooperatives use their own DER interconnection procedures.

Level	Up to	Criteria / review / fee
Simplified Process (MN DIP Sec. 2)	20 kW	Certified (e.g., UL 1741) inverter-based DER <= 20 kW AC; must pass Fast Track initial review screens without utility construction (Dakota Electric may use Uniform Statewide Contract up to 40 kW) · Acknowledge/completeness 10 business days; screens 20 business days after complete; executable contract within 5 days; witness test within 10 business days of Certificate of Completion (else waived); permission to operate within 3 business days · Up to $100
Fast Track (MN DIP Sec. 3)	5000 kW	By line voltage: <5 kV <=500 kW; 5-15 kV <=1 MW (<=2 MW certified inverter on mainline <=2.5 mi); 15-30 kV <=3 MW (4 MW); 30-69 kV <=4 MW (5 MW); synchronous/induction <=2 MW; initial review screens (15% of line-section peak etc.) and supplemental review · Initial review 15 business days after complete application · Up to $100 + $1/kW (certified); $100 + $2/kW (non-certified)
Study Process (MN DIP Sec. 4)	10000 kW	Not eligible for or failing Simplified/Fast Track; up to 10 MW · Down payment up to $1,000 + $2/kW toward study deposit

MN PUC Order Apr. 19, 2019, Docket E-999/CI-16-521: https://mn.gov/puc/assets/April%2019%2C%202019%20Order_tcm14-431305.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
MN DIP Section 1 (Otter Tail Power tariff copy): https://www.otpco.com/media/00jj5jda/section_1.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
MN DIP Section 2 Simplified Process (Otter Tail copy): https://www.otpco.com/media/5icmbb2j/section_2.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
MN DIP Section 3 Fast Track (Otter Tail copy): https://www.otpco.com/media/gq2ntx2h/section_3.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
Minn. Stat. § 216B.164 Cogeneration and small power production: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/216B.164 (retrieved 2026-11-13)

All 170 utilities in Minnesota

Residential customers in Minnesota per EIA-861 (2025). Customer counts = bundled + delivery-only service (EIA-861 Part A + Part D). Service territory is reported by county; a county can be served by several utilities.

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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