Connecting Distributed Energy Resources

Solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources

 

Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative (ACEC) wants to assist cooperative members interested in owning and installing a renewable generation system. Please contact us before you start your project to be sure your plans comply and your project goes smoothly. If you’re a member of ACEC and are interested in interconnected solar or wind generation call us at (800) 831-8629 or send an e-mail to acec@acecwi.com for more information. Remember to visit Focus on Energy for available rebates!

If you’d like to watch the recording from our January 2023 Solar Education Seminar, visit our YouTube channel.

Distributed Energy Technical Requirements

Distributed Energy Interconnection Process

Interconnection Checklist

Before you begin your renewable energy project, follow the Interconnection Checklist to help navigate your way through the process.

  1. Do your homework
  2. Wisconsin Public Service Commission Application
  3. Wisconsin Public Service Commission Agreement
  4. Engineering Fee
  5. Proof of Liability Insurance
  6. One-Line Diagram
  7. Site Plan
  8. Specifications for the inverter and panels

 

Do your homework.

    • We recommend researching solar installers and getting a few quotes. To gain more information about solar installers, please call the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection at (800) 422-7128.

Find A Solar Contractor

    • When you have chosen an installer, call us at (800) 831-8629 to let us know that you want to interconnect an electric generating system to ACEC’s distribution system.

Complete the necessary application, agreement, and additional required documentation.

    • Complete and submit the Wisconsin Public Service Commission Interconnection Application and Interconnection Agreement to ACEC.
    • Provide the following to ACEC:
        • Proof of proper liability insurance
        • One-Line diagram
        • Site plan
        • Spec sheets for invertor
        • Spec sheets for solar panels and/or wind turbine
    • Submit these documents to ACEC via email acec@acecwi.com, or mail your documents to ACEC, P.O. Box 70, Friendship, WI 53934.


Submit a $300 Engineering Fee.

    • Once the initial paperwork is submitted, ACEC will generate an invoice and send to the member and installer.
    • This must be paid prior to the review of the application packet.

 

ACEC will review your application packet.
If your application is incomplete, you will need to resubmit it with the needed corrections.

 

ACEC Engineering Review
After receiving a completed application packet, ACEC will determine if all Renewable Generation Guidelines are met. If all guidelines are met, installation can proceed. If guidelines are not met, ACEC will contact the renewable generation installer for further details.

 

Interconnection Inspection
Once your renewable generation installation is completed, an inspection must be done. ACEC will not commission installation until we receive the compliance documentation.

 

System Testing and Acceptance
You are required to notify us of the completed installation and give us an opportunity to witness or verify system testing. You are also required to provide us with any test results. After we receive notification that an installation is complete, we do one (or more) of the following:

        • Witness commissioning tests
        • Perform an anti-islanding test or verifying protective equipment settings at our expense, OR
        • Waive our right, in writing, to witness or verify commissioning tests.

Solar Frequently Asked Questions
SmartHub Solar Guide