interconnection guide
for customer-owned generation
taking responsibility
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Interconnection Guide for Customer-Owned Generation
This guide is designed to help customers connect their generation systems to the Madison Gas and
Electric (MGE) distribution system. These systems can be solar photovoltaic, wind, fuel cells, Sterling
engines or other technologies. Our goal is to interconnect customer generation in a timely manner that
is safe for customers and employees.
This guide provides a basic road map for the steps in the process along with other requirements. Customers
and installers are responsible for following the rules of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin
and meeting MGE tariff requirements. For more information, call us at 252-5654 or visit our website at
www.mge.com.
General Interconnection Process
Step 1 Starting the Interconnection Process
Call us at 608-252-7117 or 608-252-5654 to inform us you wish to interconnect an electric
generating system to the MGE distribution system.
MGE will respond to your request within five working days and supply you with the Standard
Application form necessary to complete your interconnection application. This form can also
be found on our website at www.mge.com/home/rates/cust_gen.htm.
Step 2 Completing the Interconnection Application
Complete the form and mail it to:
Laura McFadden
Madison Gas and Electric Company
Post Office Box 1231
Madison, WI 53701-1231
Continued on next page.
General Interconnection Process
Step 3 Application Review
MGE will review your application and notify you whether the application is complete within
10 working days. In the event the application is incomplete, MGE will be happy to work with
you to make the necessary corrections.
Step 4 Determining if Engineering Review is Necessary
Once your application is complete, MGE will need to determine whether an engineering review
is necessary. If MGE decides an engineering review is necessary, MGE will notify you within
10 working days and state the cost of that review.
If MGE decides an engineering review is not necessary, go to Step 10.
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General Interconnection Process
Step 5 Engineering Review is Needed
Upon receiving written notification from the applicant to proceed and upon receipt of the
applicable payment, MGE will complete the engineering review and notify you of the results.
Step 6 Need for a Distribution System Study
If an engineering review determines a distribution study is needed, MGE will include a written
cost estimate in the review summary.
Step 7 Completion of a Distribution System Study
Upon receiving written notification from the applicant to proceed and upon receipt of the
applicable payment, MGE will complete the distribution system study. The purpose of this
study is to determine the effect your system will have on the distribution system once it is
connected to our grid. MGE will provide you with the results of the study.
Continued on next page.
General Interconnection Process
Step 8 Notification of Construction or Modification Costs
MGE will notify you of the results of the distribution system study and the costs associated
with any construction or modifications to our grid. You will need to provide MGE with written
agreement to pay for work related to the interconnection modifications.
Step 9 Installation of Customer Generation
After you submit payment for the required modification to our distribution system, you will install
your generating equipment within a timeframe mutually agreeable to you and MGE and notify us
when the project is complete. After receiving payment for the necessary modifications, MGE will
complete the work necessary to accommodate your system.
Continued on next page.
General Interconnection Process
Step 10 System Testing
When your system is complete, you are required to notify MGE so MGE may witness or verify
system testing and provide us with test results. When MGE receives notification that the
installation is complete, MGE will do one or more of the following: witness commissioning
tests; perform an anti-islanding test or verify the protective equipment settings at our expense;
or waive our right, in writing, to witness or verify the commissioning tests.
Step 11 Testing Approval/Rejection
MGE will notify you of our approval or rejection of the interconnection. If approved, MGE will
provide a written statement of final acceptance and cost reconciliation. If not approved, you may
take corrective action and request that MGE address your interconnection request again.
Continued on next page.
General Interconnection Process
Step 12 Interconnection Agreement
After
the system is approved, both the applicant and MGE must sign the Standard Interconnection
Agreement before parallel generation starts.
The process described above summarizes the process described in more detail in PSC 119
(www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/psc/psc119.pdf ).
listening. learning.
MGE takes responsibility to provide information and education to serve our customers and stakeholders.
We educate customers today to help inform their decision making. We educate tomorrow’s stakeholders
so they can help plan our energy future.
GS1402 06/26/2014
When you’re shopping for new appliances, always look for the ENERGY STAR® label. Homes with ENERGY
STAR appliances can save more than $300 a year in operating costs, about 25% of average annual costs.
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Contact us for information about: • Heating/Air-conditioning • Windows/Doors • Insulating/Weatherizing
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Get more home energy information at: • mge.com/home • Home Energy Line 608-252-7117 • 800-245-1125
Questions about billing? Call: • 608-252-7222 • 800-245-1125
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