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Investor-owned utility

NorthWestern Energy (South Dakota) interconnection application

NorthWestern Energy (South Dakota) is an investor-owned utility serving 51,787 residential customers in South Dakota (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: PowerClerk (NorthWestern Energy PowerClerk – Level 1 Small Generator Interconnection Request). Gridpol files NorthWestern Energy (South Dakota) 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. Not verified: NWE net-metering page and Level 1 request form are Montana-specific (MT Rules 16-17, $200 fee, MT PSC disconnect rule). SD process falls under SD Small Generator Interconnection rules (ARSD 20:10:36); NWE SD reported only one interconnection in 2025 ($50 fee). Verify on first project with NWE SD (Huron) which channel (PowerClerk or paper) and which SD credit/buyback terms apply.

NorthWestern Energy (South Dakota) at a glance

Utility

NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern Energy Group)

Type

Investor-owned utility

EIA utility ID

13809

Residential customers

51,787 (EIA-861, 2025)

Net-metered residential customers

none reported

Service territory

27 counties in South Dakota

How to apply

PowerClerk – NorthWestern Energy PowerClerk – Level 1 Small Generator Interconnection Request · official link

Who submits

Applicant registers in PowerClerk (applicant training guide available); system installed by qualified installer.

Export compensation

NEM – Net metering (page content is Montana Rule 16)
Excess kWh credited to future bills; unused credits granted to utility at annual settle-up (Jan/Apr/Jul/Oct) – Montana rules; SD terms unconfirmed

Review time (official)

Net meter exchange (non-AMI) up to 20 business days after inspections.

Documents NorthWestern Energy (South Dakota) asks for

  • Interconnection application formLevel 1 Small Generator Interconnection Request in PowerClerk with required documentation uploads; Exhibit A Required Net Meter Application Information (annual settle-up month) Gridpol prepares this.
  • Final inspection sign-offSystem must pass inspections before net meter request

How the NorthWestern Energy (South Dakota) process runs

  1. Submit Level 1 request in PowerClerk
  2. Authorization for interconnected operation per Interconnection Agreement
  3. Installation by qualified installer; inspections
  4. NWE reprograms AMI meter or exchanges meter
  5. Welcome letter – system may be activated

Fees

FeeApplies toNote
$50SD application fee (as reported for a 4 kW interconnection, 2025)From NWE 2025 South Dakota Annual Interconnection Report to SD PUC (ARSD 20:10:36:63); NWE's Montana Level 1 form shows $200 – not applicable to SD

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

Size levels and limits

LevelUp toNote
Level 1PowerClerk; Levels 2-4 via separate PDF request form

Sources

South Dakota interconnection rule

Commission

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission

Interconnection rule

ARSD 20:10:36 (Small Generator Interconnection) – Small Generator Facility Interconnection · source

Applies to

Public utilities (PUC rate-regulated IOUs: Xcel/NSP, Black Hills, NorthWestern, MDU, Otter Tail) for facilities <=10 MW not under FERC/RTO jurisdiction

Application form

Commission tier application forms (application forms available from the commission, 20:10:36:33); certificate of completion; interconnection agreement

Timelines

Tier 1: acknowledgment within 3 business days, completeness within 10 BD, applicant 20 BD to cure, review within 15 BD after complete (20:10:36:33). Completion requires passed screens, code inspector approval, witness test if done, certificate of completion, executed agreement (20:10:36:34).

Fees

Tier 1 $50; Tier 2 $50 + $1/kW up to $500; Tier 3 and 4 $100 + $2/kW up to $1,000 (20:10:36:06).

Insurance

Tier 1: proof of adequate homeowners/general/commercial liability; Tier 2 up to $500,000; Tiers 3-4 up to $1,000,000 at utility request (20:10:36:26). Endorsements (utility additional insured etc.) not required for residential <=10 kW (20:10:36:27).

External disconnect

Only if required by the utility: primary-line lockable visible-break device; secondary-line lockable device with clearly indicated status; lockbox alternative (20:10:36:15).

Export compensation

None statewide
No statewide net metering rule; compensation per utility tariff (e.g. avoided-cost/PURPA).

Not bound by the rule

Electric cooperatives and municipal utilities are not rate-regulated by the PUC and set their own interconnection and buyback policies.

Other utilities in South Dakota

All South Dakota 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.

Get started – $500/month unlimited