Wisconsin interconnection applications

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

Wis. Admin. Code ch. PSC 119 (implements s. 196.496, Stats.) – Rules for Interconnecting Distributed Generation Facilities · source

All electric public utilities (investor-owned and municipal utilities, which are public utilities under ch. 196) for DG facilities <=15 MW on their distribution systems. Electric cooperatives are not public utilities under ch. 196 and are not covered.

Statewide standard forms: Form 6031 Wisconsin Standard Distributed Generation Application (+ technology supplements: solar PV, wind, energy storage, generator, change of ownership); Form 6029 Interconnection Agreement (<=20 kW), Form 6030 (20 kW-15 MW); pre-application Forms 6032/6033 (all dated 2024-05-01)

Utility furnishes guidelines and standard form within 5 working days of request; completeness notice within 10 working days of application + fee; application review within 10 working days of completeness (if no engineering review needed, applicant may install); applicant has 15 working days to accept engineering review estimate; engineering review 10/15/20/40 working days for Cat. 1/2/3/4; distribution study 10/15/20 working days (Cat. 1-3). Modifications: advance notice 20/40/60 working days; utility response 20/40/60/60 working days or deemed approved.

Table PSC 119.08-1: Cat. 1 $150 (1-8 kW) or $300 (9-20 kW); Cat. 2 $300 + $10/kW; Cat. 3 $2,000 + $2/kW; Cat. 4 $4,000 + $0.50/kW; engineering review and distribution study cost-based; commissioning fee $150/$250/$1,000/$2,500. Utility may waive.

Minimum liability insurance per occurrence: Cat. 1 $300,000; Cat. 2 $1,000,000; Cat. 3 $2,000,000; Cat. 4 negotiated. Cat. 2-4 must name the utility as additional insured. Alternative financial responsibility by mutual agreement.

Utility may require a lockable, visible-break interconnection disconnect switch opening all ungrounded poles, accessible at all times and labeled 'Interconnection Disconnect Switch' (PSC 119.20(3)-(4)); one-line diagram and site plan must show the switch location.

Utility-specific – No statewide net metering statute; PSC-approved parallel generation / net metering tariffs of each utility
PSC: net metering available to customers of investor-owned and municipal utilities below a utility-specific size threshold; buyback rates set in each utility's parallel generation tariff.

Municipal utilities are bound by PSC 119 and file PSC-approved tariffs. Electric cooperatives are not PSC-regulated public utilities and set their own interconnection and net metering/buyback policies.