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Investor-owned utilityEl Paso Electric interconnection application
El Paso Electric is an investor-owned utility serving 417,578 residential customers in New Mexico, Texas (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: Own online portal (EPE Distributed Generation online Standard / Expansion Interconnection Application (solarium3; e-signature, online fee payment, status link)). Gridpol files El Paso 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 El Paso Electric’s official sources (see below). Confirmed from archived official EPE pages/PDFs (epelectric.com returns 403 to server; latest captures Oct 2026). Open: no official review timelines on EPE pages (PUCT 16 TAC 25.211 / 17.9.568 NMAC not read); no storage operating/export rules; NM >100 kW page and NM expansion fees not read.
El Paso Electric at a glance
El Paso Electric Co
TypeInvestor-owned utility
EIA utility ID5701
Residential customers417,578 (EIA-861, 2025)
Net-metered residential customers36,257 (EIA-861, 2025)
Service territory4 counties in New Mexico, 3 counties in Texas
How to applyOwn online portal – EPE Distributed Generation online Standard / Expansion Interconnection Application (solarium3; e-signature, online fee payment, status link) · official link
Who submitsContractor on behalf of customer or customer directly (form asks 'Contractor completing on behalf of a Customer'). Customer receives email link to review and e-sign once packet is complete; contractor company email gets status notifications. Texas: end-use customer signs End-Use Customer Acknowledgement Regarding Rates. Leased systems allowed (Facility Leased System). EPE handles interconnection itself in TX (non-ERCOT) and NM; contact smallrenewables@epelectric.com, 915-872-4595.
Export compensationNEM – TX: net metering rate (Residential T-01 with T-48 Non-Firm Purchased Power Service from DG); NM: DG net metering credited at Fuel & Purchased Power Cost Adjustment
TX net metering rate has $30.25 minimum bill; TX net production credited per Rate Schedule No. 48. NM net production credited at FPPCAC. DG customers removed from Budget Billing, TX Community Solar, Sign-Up New Mexico. NM >120% systems: Rate No. 16 Purchased Power; NM Rate 33 small-system REC purchase.
No official review timelines found on EPE pages; applications ON HOLD more than 180 days require a new application. TX timelines governed by PUCT 16 TAC 25.211/25.212 (not read).
Documents El Paso Electric asks for
- Interconnection application formOnline Standard Interconnection Application (TX: Forms/TX.aspx; NM <=10 kW: Forms/NM.aspx; NM 10-100 kW: Forms/NM2.aspx) or Expansion application (TXExpansion/NMExpansion); EPE account number + ZIP, inverter data, annual generation vs consumption Gridpol prepares this.
- Single-line diagram (one-line)Simple one-line diagram <=10 MB identifying all major equipment incl. utility-accessible generation disconnect and EPE metering point; per EPE sample/specs; discrepancies delay application Gridpol prepares this.
- Site plan / site layoutSite diagram <=10 MB Gridpol prepares this.
- Inverter spec sheetInverter make/model/quantity entered in application; inverter phase must match service phase
- Battery spec sheet (when applicable)Battery Storage section of application if storage installed
- Customer signatureCustomer e-signs via emailed link; TX: End-Use Customer Acknowledgement Regarding Rates
- Final inspection sign-offFinal electrical inspection/permit by authority having jurisdiction before requesting EPE field inspection
- Other utility-specific document (when applicable)Water heater meter must be rewired/removed before EPE inspection; compliance with Technical Requirements for Interconnection, Neutral Requirements (since 9/4/2018) and REC Meter Can Requirements
How the El Paso Electric process runs
- Contractor/customer submits online Standard (or Expansion) Interconnection Application (TX: Forms/TX.aspx; NM <=25 kW: Forms/NM.aspx; NM 25-100 kW: Forms/NM2.aspx) with one-line and site diagrams before installation; pay application fee online
- EPE checks packet completeness; customer e-signs via emailed link
- EPE technical review; email approval (or corrections/transformer upgrade notice) to customer and contractor
- Obtain AHJ permits; install per approved design; pass AHJ final electrical inspection
- Contractor emails smallrenewables@epelectric.com to request EPE field inspection and meter installation
- EPE inspection; installs bi-directional and REC meters, labels DG site, returns executed agreement and written authorization; do not energize before meter exchange
Fees
| Fee | Applies to | Note |
|---|---|---|
| $85 | Texas, 1-100 kW application | Schedule No. DG; paid with application (online payment available) |
| $230 | Texas, >100 kW application | Schedule No. DG |
| $42.50 | Texas expansion application | Capacity increases/storage additions max. 50% of new fee |
| $0 | Texas pre-interconnection study, pre-certified inverter-based DG <=20 kW | Study fees per Schedule DG table apply to larger/non-certified units |
| $150 | New Mexico, 1-25 kW total new system capacity | Per EPE NM page captured 2026-10-08 (replaces earlier $50 for 1-10 kW) |
| $300 | New Mexico, 25-100 kW | Per EPE NM page captured 2026-10-22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX pre-certified inverter-based | 20 kW | No pre-interconnection study fee |
| TX pre-certified <=500 kW within feeder limits | 500 kW | No study fee if export <=15% of feeder load and <=25% short-circuit contribution |
| TX Schedule DG | 10000 kW | Up to 10 MW at point of common coupling |
| NM up to 25 kW | 25 kW | Standard application Forms/NM.aspx |
| NM 25-100 kW | 100 kW | Standard application Forms/NM2.aspx |
| NM >100 kW to 10 MW | 10000 kW | Separate EPE page; 17.9.568 NMAC covers up to 10 MW |
Most economical net metering rate requires annual generation <=100% of annual consumption (TX, user guide). NM: net metering limited to systems with expected output <=120% of annual consumption (owned or third-party); larger systems allowed under NM Rate 16 (Load Displacement or Separate Load Metering).
Storage, EV and stamps
Battery storage
Application has a Battery Storage section (technical details required if installed). TX Schedule DG lists batteries as DG technology; additions of storage to existing agreements are charged an amendment fee <=50% of new fee. No published operating-mode/export rules found.
Common issues the utility lists
- One-line diagram discrepancies with application (delay); one-line > 10 MB not accepted
- Missing required application fields; account number/ZIP not matching EPE records
- Inverter phase not matching service phase; three-phase Y systems need three-phase inverters
- Installation not matching approved one-line or EPE requirements book -> failed field inspection, corrections and re-inspection
- No permit available from city/local entity -> EPE cannot inspect
- Customer still enrolled in Budget Billing / Community Solar; existing water heater meter not removed
- Application on hold >180 days -> new application required
Gridpol’s pre-submission check covers these before we file.
Sources
- EPE - Texas Interconnection of Facilities up to 10 MW (archive.org capture 2026-05-10; site blocks server): https://web.archive.org/web/20260510233831/https://www.epelectric.com/residential/rooftop-solar/texas-interconnection-of-facilities-up-to-10-mw (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- EPE Standard Interconnection Application Form User Guide (08/2020; archive.org capture 2026-01-16): https://web.archive.org/web/20260116214312/https://www.epelectric.com/el-paso-electric/uploads/standard-interconnection-application-form-user-guide-912020.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- EPE Interconnection Process of DG Renewable Energy Systems (flowchart; read via archive.org): https://www.epelectric.com/el-paso-electric/uploads/interconnection-process.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- EPE Texas Schedule No. DG - Interconnection and Parallel Operation of DG (eff. 3 Nov 2021; archive.org capture 2025-12-16): https://web.archive.org/web/20251216213636/https://www.epelectric.com/el-paso-electric/uploads/section-1-sheet-360-schedule-dg-interconnection-parallel-operation-of-dg.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- EPE - New Mexico Interconnection Process Facilities Up to 25 kW (archive.org capture 2026-10-08): https://web.archive.org/web/20261008152628/https://www.epelectric.com/residential/rooftop-solar/new-mexico-interconnection-of-facilities-less-than-25-kw (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- EPE - New Mexico Interconnection 25-100 kW (archive.org capture 2026-10-22): https://web.archive.org/web/20261022155737/https://www.epelectric.com/residential/rooftop-solar/new-mexico-interconnection-of-facilities-greater-than-25-kw-and-less-than-100-kw (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.