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Investor-owned utilityXcel Energy (SPS) interconnection application
Xcel Energy (SPS) is an investor-owned utility serving 324,888 residential customers in New Mexico, Texas (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: Own online portal (Xcel Energy DER Interconnection Portal (Salesforce)). Gridpol files Xcel Energy (SPS) 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. verify on first project: Texas (SPS-TX) application route, fees and net metering/buyback tariff; NM portal process confirmed.
Xcel Energy (SPS) at a glance
Southwestern Public Service Co (Xcel Energy)
TypeInvestor-owned utility
EIA utility ID17718
Residential customers324,888 (EIA-861, 2025)
Net-metered residential customers2,240 (EIA-861, 2025)
Service territory6 counties in New Mexico, 45 counties in Texas
How to applyOwn online portal – Xcel Energy DER Interconnection Portal (Salesforce) · official link
Who submitsApplicant/installer registers in portal, selects New Mexico + Distributed Generation; application agent e-mail recorded; customer signs application agreement (e-signature). SPS Texas service area is in SPP (non-ERCOT).
Export compensationNEM – New Mexico net metering (17.9.570 NMAC); Texas SPS tariff not retrieved
Review time (official)NM: PMO review 3 business days, completeness review 7 business days (10 business days total per guide).
Documents Xcel Energy (SPS) asks for
- Interconnection application formContact info, system details, application details, battery details; signed application agreement Gridpol prepares this.
- Single-line diagram (one-line)One-line diagram Gridpol prepares this.
- Site plan / site layoutSite plan + annotated aerial map Gridpol prepares this.
- Inverter spec sheetSpecification sheet(s)
- Other utility-specific documentProof of site control; protection & control schematics/fuse curves if applicable; 120% Rule support documentation if system >120% of load (NM)
- Proof of insuranceSubmitted at Design & Construction stage
- Final inspection sign-offInspection details at Design & Construction stage
How the Xcel Energy (SPS) process runs
- Initiate application in portal (details, fee, e-signature, documents)
- PMO + completeness review
- Engineering screens (supplemental review/studies if needed)
- Interconnection Agreement signed/countersigned
- Design & construction: submit insurance, inspection, installation details
- Metering & testing (witness test if needed), meter enrollment
- Permission to Operate e-mail
Fees
| Fee | Applies to | Note |
|---|---|---|
| $150 | NM limited export <=25 kW; non-export <100 kW; battery <100 kW | |
| $300 | NM limited export >25-100 kW; non-export >=100 kW | |
| $300 + $1/kW | NM export >100 kW |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Simple track | 50 kW | AC nameplate <=50 kW (NM) |
| Fast track | >50 kW |
NM: system >120% of customer load needs supporting documentation (17.9.568 NMAC)
Storage, EV and stamps
Battery storage
Battery is a DER type in the portal with battery details; battery <100 kW fee $150 (NM).
Sources
- Xcel Energy DER Interconnection Portal – NM Installer Guide: https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe-responsive/Working%20With%20Us/Renewable%20Developers/DER%20Interconnection%20Portal%20-%20NM%20Installer%20Guide.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- 17.9.568 NMAC Interconnection of Generating Facilities: https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title17/17.009.0568.pdf (retrieved 2026-11-13)
Texas interconnection rule
Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT)
Interconnection rule16 TAC §25.211 (Interconnection of On-Site Distributed Generation) and §25.212 (Technical Requirements) – Interconnection of On-Site Distributed Generation (DG) · source
Applies toElectric utilities under PUCT jurisdiction (incl. ERCOT transmission & distribution utilities such as Oncor, CenterPoint, AEP Texas, TNMP and non-ERCOT IOUs). Electric cooperatives only via §25.211(o) (distributed natural gas generation); municipal utilities not addressed.
Application formCommission-prescribed statewide application for interconnection and parallel operation (§25.211(q) figure) and prescribed interconnection agreement (§25.211(p)); utility must file DG tariff on prescribed form (§25.211(d)). Customer must submit application and execute agreement on these forms before interconnecting (§25.211(e)(5)).
TimelinesPre-certified: interconnect within 4 weeks of complete application; others 6 weeks; if substantial upgrades, within 2 weeks after upgrades complete (§25.211(m)); pre-interconnection studies <=4 weeks.
FeesNo separate application fee in rule; study fees in utility DG tariff; no study fee for pre-certified <=500 kW meeting (g)(1) or network inverter <20 kW; no distribution/O&M/transmission charges for exported energy (§25.211(d)).
External disconnect§25.212(b)(8): manual disconnect accessible to utility personnel, lockable open, with visible break; no small-inverter waiver in rule text, but parties may agree otherwise or seek good-cause exception (§25.212(a)(4)).
Export compensationNone statewide – 16 TAC §25.242(h) (QF purchase arrangements, integrated IOUs only)
No statewide net metering mandate found for ERCOT competitive areas; export compensation is set by retail electric providers. For integrated (non-unbundled) IOUs, §25.242(h) provides standard-rate purchase of QF output <=100 kW; single forward/backward meter option for renewable QFs <=50 kW closed to contracts after 2008-12-31. §25.242 excludes munis, river authorities, coops.
Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives are not bound by §25.211/§25.212 (except coop gas-DG under (o)) and set their own interconnection and net metering/buyback policies.
- 16 TAC §25.211: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-25-211 (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- 16 TAC §25.212: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-25-212 (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- 16 TAC §25.242: https://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/16-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-25-242 (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- PUCT §25.211 PDF (403 from fetch): https://ftp.puc.texas.gov/public/puct-info/agency/rulesnlaws/subrules/electric/25.211/25.211.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.