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Municipal utilityAustin Energy interconnection application
Austin Energy is a municipal utility serving 522,446 residential customers in Texas (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: PDF + email (Distributed Generation Planning Application (DGPA) + City of Austin AB+C permit portal). Gridpol files Austin Energy 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 Austin Energy’s official sources (see below). Appendix C inspection checklist in guide lists inspection items; VoS rate value not captured.
Austin Energy at a glance
Austin Energy (City of Austin)
TypeMunicipal utility
EIA utility ID1015
Residential customers522,446 (EIA-861, 2025)
Net-metered residential customersnone reported
Service territory2 counties in Texas
How to applyPDF + email – Distributed Generation Planning Application (DGPA) + City of Austin AB+C permit portal · official link
Who submitsContractor fills out the DGPA and obtains City of Austin Auxiliary Power electrical permit; Master/Journeyman electrician must attend final inspection.
Export compensationBuy-all/sell-all – Value of Solar (VoS) rate
Separate PV meter; customer credited for solar generation at VoS rate (not net metering); check current rate on AE tariff
No AE approval needed <25 kW (DGPA); PV meter installed after final inspection passes.
Documents Austin Energy asks for
- Interconnection application formDGPA (customer-side) or ESPA (utility-side interconnection, new service) Gridpol prepares this.
- Site plan / site layoutPhysical layout drawing showing interconnection equipment (for CoA permit) Gridpol prepares this.
- Single-line diagram (one-line)Electrical one-line diagram up to AE interface Gridpol prepares this.
- PV module spec sheetList of major equipment: inverter, OCPD, modules
- Other utility-specific documentInverter manufacturer string sizing calculation (PV)
- Photos (meter, main panel, equipment) (when applicable)Photos of roof work / as-built may be required, uploaded to permit
- Final inspection sign-offCoA permit + AE Solar Inspections final inspection
- Battery spec sheet (when applicable)ESS: UL 9540/UL 1973; plans sealed by Texas PE; may need Austin Fire Dept review
How the Austin Energy process runs
- Contractor submits DGPA (ESPA for utility-side)
- Obtain City of Austin Auxiliary Power electrical permit (AB+C portal or DSD plan review)
- Optional pre-construction meeting with AE inspector (required for commercial)
- Rough inspection where required; install
- Request final inspection from AE Solar Inspections (licensed electrician attends)
- AE Distribution Metering installs PV meter; customer may operate once meter installed
Fees
| Fee | Applies to | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Larger/utility-side projects | Processing fee/deposit per AE Fee Schedule; none stated for residential DGPA |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| DGPA without AE approval | 25 kW | DGPA required but AE approval not required <25 kW |
| AE review | 10000 kW | 50 kW to <10 MW and utility-side interconnections need AE review |
Storage, EV and stamps
Battery storage
ESS equipment UL 9540/UL 1973; ESS inverters certified by battery manufacturer; ESS plans sealed by Texas-licensed PE; ESS >20 kWh per IFC, residential >1 kWh per IRC; Austin Fire Dept review may apply.
EV chargers
EV: ESPA (Electric Service Planning Application) required for upgrades to main electrical service; Level 2 >10 kW handled by AE Distribution Design; optional separate EV TOU sub-meter. CoA electrical permit for hardwired 240 V charger.
PE stamp
Energy storage system plans must be sealed by a Texas PE; larger/commercial and utility-side projects require PE-sealed drawings. – PE-stamped drawings are not included in Gridpol.
Sources
- Austin Energy DG/DER Interconnection Guide Rev 14.0 (Mar 31, 2025): https://www.austinenergy.com/-/media/project/websites/austinenergy/contractors/ae_dg_interconnection_guide.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.