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Investor-owned utility

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric interconnection application

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric is an investor-owned utility serving 2,529,039 residential customers in Texas (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: Third-party portal (CenterPoint Energy Distribution Interconnection Portal for installers (hosted by anbetrack)). Gridpol files CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric 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 CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric’s official sources (see below). Portal and steps from official CenterPoint Houston page; documents from tariff application form only (no portal checklist/requirements PDF found, photo requirements unknown). Do not confuse with CenterPoint Indiana 'customer-generation' page (Indiana net metering). Verify on first project: portal document checklist, photo/inspection requirements, battery handling. Contact Residential.DG@CenterPointEnergy.com.

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric at a glance

Utility

CenterPoint Energy (CenterPoint Energy)

Type

Investor-owned utility

EIA utility ID

8901

Residential customers

2,529,039 (EIA-861, 2025)

Net-metered residential customers

none reported

Service territory

12 counties in Texas

How to apply

Third-party portal – CenterPoint Energy Distribution Interconnection Portal for installers (hosted by anbetrack) · official link

Who submits

Customer's installer applies online through the interconnection portal; installer secures all applications and permits. Tariff form allows information to be supplied by the Customer or Customer's designated representative; customer signs application (with Authorized Release of Information list) and the Interconnection Agreement.

Review time (official)

No CenterPoint-specific timeline found on the page. 16 TAC §25.211(m): interconnection within 4 weeks of receipt of a completed application for pre-certified equipment, 6 weeks for other facilities (longer if substantial capital upgrades). §25.211(g)/(i): pre-interconnection studies max 4 weeks.

Documents CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric asks for

  • Interconnection application formApplication for Interconnection and Parallel Operation of Distributed Generation (Tariff 6.3.2): generator type, kW/kVA at 95F, export yes/no + max export, report excess to REP yes/no, pre-certification (UL 1741 / IEEE 1547.1), energization date Gridpol prepares this.
  • Single-line diagram (one-line)One-line diagram attached (application checkbox) Gridpol prepares this.
  • Site plan / site layoutLayout sketch showing lockable, visible disconnect device Gridpol prepares this.
  • Inverter spec sheet (when applicable)Pre-certification label; non-pre-certified systems must provide dynamic modeling values
  • Customer signatureCustomer signs application and Interconnection Agreement (Tariff 6.3.3)
  • Interconnection agreementICA issued by CenterPoint, signed by all parties
  • Other utility-specific document'As built' design plans confirmed by installer after construction (final review)

How the CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric process runs

  1. Customer inquiry and application: installer applies online through the Distribution Interconnection Portal.
  2. CenterPoint design review and acceptance of design plans.
  3. Installer constructs the system (with AHJ permits).
  4. CenterPoint final review after construction; installer confirms 'as built' design plans.
  5. Interconnection Agreement (ICA) signed by all parties; Permission to Operate (PTO) issued.
  6. Meter remotely reprogrammed to capture excess generation export readings; REP handles billing/buyback.

Fees

FeeApplies toNote
$0Pre-certified ≤500 kW exporting ≤15% feeder load and ≤25% short-circuit on radial feederRate DGS, Tariff 6.1.2.4, rev. 7, eff. 04/28/25
$75Exporting, 0-10 kW, pre-certified, not on networkRate DGS (unless exempt above)
$2720-10 kW, not pre-certified, not on network (exporting or non-exporting)Rate DGS
$312 / $5250-10 kW on network (pre-certified / not pre-certified)Rate DGS
$621-$1,793Exporting 10+ to 500 kWRate DGS: $621 pre-cert not network, $864 non-pre-cert, $1,402 pre-cert network, $1,793 non-pre-cert network (non-exporting $0-$1,563)
As calculatedDC.18 Distributed Generation Meter Installation ChargeTariff 6.1.2

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

Size levels and limits

LevelUp toNote
0-10 kW10 kWFee tier
10+ to 500 kW500 kWFee tier; pre-certified radial units may be fee-exempt
500+ to 2,000 kW / 2,000+ to 10,000 kW10000 kWPre-screen $350/$500 + study fees

Transfer trip may be required > 300 kW to 2 MW; required > 2 MW (Construction Services Policy Section 5).

Storage, EV and stamps

Battery storage

Not separately documented on the CenterPoint solar page; application covers all DG types (inverter, synchronous, induction). Portable generator with transfer switch (ATS) must be registered with the ATS team (ATS.Approvals@CenterPointEnergy.com).

Sources

Other utilities in Texas

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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