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Electric cooperativeTri-County Electric Cooperative interconnection application
Tri-County Electric Cooperative is an electric cooperative serving 117,857 residential customers in Texas (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: Own online portal (TCEC Distributed Generation application). Gridpol files Tri-County Electric Cooperative 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 Tri-County Electric Cooperative’s official sources (see below).
Tri-County Electric Cooperative at a glance
Tri-County Electric Coop, Inc (TX)
TypeElectric cooperative
EIA utility ID19159
Residential customers117,857 (EIA-861, 2025)
Net-metered residential customers1,907 (EIA-861, 2025)
Service territory16 counties in Texas
How to applyOwn online portal – TCEC Distributed Generation application · official link
Who submitsMember applies via web portal (installers use Installer Resources); questions DistributedGeneration@tcectexas.com. ERCOT-area coop handling its own interconnection.
Export compensationNet billing – Buy-Back Solar (avoided cost); Grandfather solar until Mar 1, 2044
Exports credited at avoided cost (Base Power Cost + PCRF; e.g. 10.5 cents/kWh Nov 2026); excess credits paid by check annually in March
Review after fee payment; no stated duration.
Wholesale supplier / associationBrazos Electric Power Cooperative · Brazos Electric Interconnection Guidebook (Nov 2025)
Documents Tri-County Electric Cooperative asks for
- Interconnection application formOnline application with valid 7-digit meter number; one application/agreement/fee per meter Gridpol prepares this.
- Interconnection agreementContract form completed and signed
- Site plan / site layoutFacility drawing: nearest road, building, TCEC meter, lockable disconnect within 6 ft of meter Gridpol prepares this.
- Single-line diagram (one-line)One-line incl. PV, inverter, batteries, disconnect, meter; line-side taps not accepted Gridpol prepares this.
- Load calculationEstimated load information; Total DG output = aggregate inverter AC incl. battery inverters
- PV module spec sheetData sheets for PV panels, inverters, batteries
How the Tri-County Electric Cooperative process runs
- Submit application + documents via submit.tcectexas.com, pay $500
- TCEC review (delays if info missing)
- Call TCEC before cutting meter seal
- Install
- PTO e-mailed to member; do not operate before
Fees
| Fee | Applies to | Note |
|---|---|---|
| $500 | Each solar application (per meter) | Review starts after payment; significant design changes may need new application+fee |
| $200 | Adding equipment to existing system | |
| $100 | After two failed submittals | |
| $12/month | DG charge on bill | Minimum monthly charge $30 incl. $18 customer charge |
| $2,500 | Tampering | If operated without PTO |
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 |
|---|
See DG Manual 2025
Storage, EV and stamps
Battery storage
Batteries on one-line; battery inverters counted in Total DG Output.
Common issues the utility lists
- Missing required documents (meter number, signed contract, facility drawing, one-line, load info, inverter data) delay approval
- Line-side taps not accepted
- Disconnect not within 6 ft of meter
Gridpol’s pre-submission check covers these before we file.
Sources
- Tri-County Electric Cooperative – Solar: https://www.tcectexas.com/solar (retrieved 2026-11-13)
- TCEC DG Application Checklist for Members: https://www.tcectexas.com/sites/default/files/2025-05/dg_checklist_012825.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.