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Investor-owned utility

PNM interconnection application

PNM is an investor-owned utility serving 496,914 residential customers in New Mexico (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: PowerClerk (NMPRC/PNM PowerClerk portal for rooftop solar applications (separate pnmferc.powerclerk.com instance is for FERC pre-application/informal requests, not the rooftop program)). Gridpol files PNM 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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Partly researched from official sources. pnm.com refuses connections from our server; facts from search-index excerpts of official PNM pages. Verify on first project: exact PowerClerk URL for rooftop program, current fee ($50 vs $150), storage rules, NM net metering credit terms.

PNM at a glance

Utility

Public Service Co of NM (TXNM Energy)

Type

Investor-owned utility

EIA utility ID

15473

Residential customers

496,914 (EIA-861, 2025)

Net-metered residential customers

47,762 (EIA-861, 2025)

Service territory

19 counties in New Mexico

How to apply

PowerClerk – NMPRC/PNM PowerClerk portal for rooftop solar applications (separate pnmferc.powerclerk.com instance is for FERC pre-application/informal requests, not the rooftop program)

Who submits

Customer (interconnection customer) must sign the application; contractor cannot sign for the customer. Customer must be PNM electric customer and own the home/building. Contractor may arrange inspections.

Export compensation

NEM – Net metering (17.9.570 NMAC) with Customer Solar Energy Program
Excess credited per NM net metering rule; REC price stated at completeness notice where applicable.

Review time (official)

Production meter installed about 10 business days after passed electrical inspection; installation must be completed within 9 months of passing technical screening.

Documents PNM asks for

  • Interconnection application formSmall Solar Energy System application (Form No. 79) or Small Interconnection Only Application (Form No. 83); signed by customer Gridpol prepares this.
  • Single-line diagram (one-line)One-line diagram showing interconnection (examples include battery backup) Gridpol prepares this.
  • Site plan / site layoutSite map Gridpol prepares this.
  • Inverter spec sheetSpec sheet with UL 1741 listing; since 2024-03-29 advanced inverters IEEE 1547-2018 required
  • Recent electric billCopy of all pages of a recent PNM bill
  • Customer signatureThe account holder signs the application or authorization. We send the signature link.
  • Interconnection agreementContract package mailed by PNM, signed and returned; executed IA with written authorization to operate attached
  • Final inspection sign-offLocal city/county or State of NM electrical inspection
  • Other utility-specific documentLaminated one-line diagram and site map on site; lockable load-break disconnect between inverter output and POI; solar production meter within 5 ft and line-of-sight of billing meter

How the PNM process runs

  1. Preliminary design; submit signed application package (application, fee, one-line, site map, inverter spec, PNM bill)
  2. Completeness check and notification
  3. Technical screening per NM Interconnection Manual; must pass before construction
  4. Sign and return contract package
  5. Install within 9 months
  6. Local/State electrical inspection; inspector notifies PNM
  7. PNM installs production meter (~10 BD) and performs final interconnection inspection incl. anti-islanding test
  8. Fully executed Interconnection Agreement with written authorization to operate

Fees

FeeApplies toNote
$150Net-metering-only small application (<=10 kW AC)Some PNM pages show $50; confirm on current form
$50 / $500Qualifying facilities <100 kW / >=100 kW (large-facility process)

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

Size levels and limits

LevelUp toNote
Small systems (Customer Solar Energy Program)10 kWAC
Large systems80000 kWSeparate application/agreement process per NM Interconnection Manual

NM Interconnection Manual (17.9.568 NMAC) screening.

Storage, EV and stamps

Battery storage

No PNM-specific battery rules found; battery shown on one-line diagram examples. Confirm configuration review with PNM.

Common issues the utility lists

  • Application signed by contractor instead of customer
  • Inverter not IEEE 1547-2018 advanced inverter / not UL 1741 listed
  • Production meter not within 5 ft and line-of-sight of billing meter

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

Sources

New Mexico interconnection rule

Commission

New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC)

Interconnection rule

17.9.568 NMAC (Interconnection of Generating Facilities with a Rated Capacity up to and including 10 MW); >10 MW: 17.9.569 NMAC – Interconnection of generating facilities up to 10 MW · source

Applies to

Every electric utility under PRC jurisdiction, including investor-owned utilities (PNM, El Paso Electric, SPS/Xcel) and rural electric cooperatives (17.9.568.2.A); municipal utilities not named.

Application form

Standard application per utility with form interconnection agreement signed with the application for simplified process (17.9.568.20.A); net energy metering application.

Timelines

Receipt 3 BD, completeness 10 BD; simplified screens 7 BD; fast track 15 BD; supplemental 20 BD. Customer gives 10 BD notice of start; utility may inspect within 10 BD; PTO normally within 10 BD after required documents (simplified/fast track) (17.9.568.21). Pre-application report $300/$500, 20/30 BD.

Fees

Application (17.9.568.23.A): $150 up to 25 kW; $300 >25-100 kW; $300 + $1/kW >100 kW; non-export $150 (<100 kW) / $300; supplemental review $2,500.

Insurance

<=250 kW: general liability insurance only if commission orders it on utility petition showing good cause; >250 kW: utility may require insurance up to $1,000,000 or other evidence of financial responsibility (17.9.568.25.B).

External disconnect

Visible-open, lockable, load-break disconnect labeled 'generating facility generation disconnect' required, except systems <=10 kW with certified inverter and self-contained meter that have a utility-accessible AC load-break disconnect (or DC disconnect if no other source) (17.9.568.29.D).

Export compensation

NEM – 17.9.570 NMAC (eff. 2022-05-24), 17.9.570.14 and .15
<=10 kW: net metering - excess credited next bill at energy rate or as kWh, carried forward; >10 kW-10 MW: standard metering and billing agreement with net metering option (17.9.570.15). Applies to every PRC-jurisdictional utility incl. coops and munis.

Not bound by the rule

Rural electric cooperatives are bound by 17.9.568 and 17.9.570 (distribution coop service also per own bylaws/tariffs). Municipal utilities are within 17.9.570 scope for QF/net metering; their interconnection coverage under 17.9.568 not stated.

Other utilities in New Mexico

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

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