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Investor-owned utilityThe Illuminating Company interconnection application
The Illuminating Company is an investor-owned utility serving 677,581 residential customers in Ohio (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: Own online portal (FirstEnergy Interconnection Portal). Gridpol files The Illuminating Company 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 The Illuminating Company’s official sources (see below). Level 1 fee ($50) taken from FE page as indexed; confirm in portal.
The Illuminating Company at a glance
Cleveland Electric Illum Co (FirstEnergy)
TypeInvestor-owned utility
EIA utility ID3755
Residential customers677,581 (EIA-861, 2025)
Net-metered residential customers3,006 (EIA-861, 2025)
Service territory9 counties in Ohio
How to applyOwn online portal – FirstEnergy Interconnection Portal · official link
Who submitsCustomer or installer via online portal (paper applications also accepted). Checks payable to FirstEnergy Corporation with customer name and account number. Contact: CEI_interconnection@firstenergycorp.com.
Export compensationNEM – Net Energy Metering Rider
OAC 4901:1-10-28
Per PUCO schedule OAC 4901:1-22-04 / 4901:1-22-06; bi-directional meter may take several weeks after Approval to Operate.
Documents The Illuminating Company asks for
- Interconnection application formLevel 1 (<=25 kW inverter, UL1741) or Level 2/3 Gridpol prepares this.
- Site plan / site layoutProperty layout, north arrow, cross streets, DER AC disconnect, generation/inverter/storage, service transformer; no overhead internet photos Gridpol prepares this.
- Single-line diagram (one-line)DC/AC ratings, inverter AC rating, disconnect make/model, connection, meter, storage Gridpol prepares this.
- PV module spec sheetManufacturer data sheet of the modules.
- Inverter spec sheetManufacturer data sheet (string inverter, microinverter or hybrid inverter).
- Interconnection agreementLevel 1 Short Form Agreement / Standard Agreement (after installation)
- Net metering / net billing agreementNet Energy Metering Rider Application
- Final inspection sign-offThird-party (electrical inspector) inspection report / Certificate of Completion
How the The Illuminating Company process runs
- Determine size/type per tariff.
- Submit application, one-line, site plan, spec sheets and fee (portal).
- Engineering review; notification of approval / upgrade / missing info.
- Install per approved application and FE requirements; local electrical inspection.
- Submit Interconnection Agreement, Net Metering Rider application and inspection report.
- Company final review, possible witness test, Approval to Operate (Certificate of Completion).
- Bi-directional meter installed; credits tracked only after meter install.
Fees
| Fee | Applies to | Note |
|---|---|---|
| $50 | Level 1 (<=25 kW) | per FirstEnergy search snippet; page lists Level 2/3 fees |
| $50 + $1/kW nameplate | Level 2 | |
| $100 + $2/kW nameplate | Level 3 |
Utility fees are paid by the installer or customer; they are not part of the Gridpol plan.
Size levels and limits
| Level | Up to | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 25 kW | inverter-based, certified |
| Level 2 | 2000 kW | |
| Level 3 | 20000 kW |
Ohio net metering per OAC 4901:1-10-28.
Storage, EV and stamps
Battery storage
Storage (battery) must be shown on site plan and one-line diagram.
Common issues the utility lists
- Overhead internet photos instead of site plan
- Missing drawings/documentation or unpaid fees
- Information incorrect or missing in application
Gridpol’s pre-submission check covers these before we file.
Sources
- FirstEnergy Ohio Retail Interconnection: https://www.firstenergycorp.com/feconnect/ohio-interconnection/OH-retail-interconnection.html (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- OH Level 1 Interconnection Application: https://www.firstenergycorp.com/content/dam/feconnect/files/retail/oh/OH-Level-1-Application.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
$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
Applications are typically submitted within 2 business days after complete documents. Utility review times are set by each utility.