Renewable Energy

THE TEN STEPS TO INTERCONNECTION

1. Review the Following to Ensure Compliance with UCS Policy:
   
   1. Sections 205 and 206 of the UCS DG Tariff
   2. Download UCS Distributed Generation Procedures and Guidelines Manual for Members
   3. Download A Quick Overview of Technical Requirements for DG Interconnection

  2. Submit Interconnection Application and Supporting Documents

Download a copy of the Application for Interconnection, review it and submit a copy to UCS.Submit a one-line diagram or schematic showing the electrical design of the generating installation, including equipment for interconnection with the Cooperative’s system.UCS may require additional documents.

3. Sign and Submit Interconnection Agreement

Stating that the member is agreeing to and will meet all the terms in the Agreement.

• 50 kW or less
• Over 50 kW

4. Sign and Submit Energy Smarts DG Grant Application and Provide Copy of Invoice or Quote/Estimate

Click here to see if an Energy Smarts Grant is available for your particular installation.

5. UCS Review of Application and Supporting Documents

UCS will review the application and supporting documents and notify the member whether permission is granted to proceed with the installation.

6. Comply with Extension Conditions (if required)

If extension of UCS’s facilities is necessary to complete interconnection, members will be required to comply with conditions of the Line Extension Policy.

7. Comply with Applicable Laws

It is the member’s responsibility to make sure their power generating installations comply with applicable federal, state and local laws, ordinances and regulations.

8. Complete Construction

Construct the power generating installation and install a disconnect switch, warning/safety labels, and other protective equipment as may be required by the Cooperative to protect its personnel, facilities and operations.The system may be turned on briefly for testing but must remain off until verified and approved by UCS Personnel.

9. Notify UCS of Completion

Notify the Cooperative in advance of energizing your small power generating installation and allow UCS staff to verify and test protective equipment.Upon completion, please notify UCS by sending an email to interconnections@ucs.net, and for a quicker response please follow the steps below:

• In the subject line please include the word “Verification.”
• In the body of the email please provide your installation/service address, account number and the name on your UCS account.

Once UCS receives the notification of completion, a UCS Energy Advisor will contact you to schedule a date and time for a site visit to verify the installation.

10. Site Visit and Verification

A representative from UCS will meet member at the site to review the system size, the systems disconnect and safety features.The Energy Advisor will discuss billing and perform a free home energy audit the day of the verification.

• In the event there are conditions preventing safe interconnection and proper parallel operation, UCS will notify the member.
• The member may not interconnect or initiate parallel operation until such conditions are corrected and written notification has been provided to UCS.

After the disconnect switch and safety features have been reviewed and approved, a UCS representative will sign the Interconnection Agreement and leave an executed copy of agreement with the member.

Disclaimer:
The Cooperative disclaims any expertise or special knowledge related to the design or performance of generating installations and does not warrant the efficiency, cost effectiveness, safety, durability or reliability of generating installations.

In the event the member moves from the location of interconnection, the property owner will need to contact UCS and notify the Co-op of their intent to move from the property.

Please notify UCS when increasing the size of an existing generating facility.

Distributed Generation Interconnection and Parallel Operation Requirements Contact

Seth Rosser
Energy Solutions Manager
email: interconnections@ucs.net

HOW MUCH DOES SOLAR OR WIND ENERGY COST?

One of the most common questions asked by members seeking information about installing DG at their home or business is installation cost.

Wind Power – 10 kW System:
Approximate cost (installed) – $45,000 to $80,000. Actual cost depends on several variables, such as tower height and style, difficulty of excavation, etc.

Solar Power – 5 kW System:
Approximate cost (installed) – $3-$3.25 per peak watt. A 5 KW solar array costs approximately $16,250. Expect this solar array to generate about 8,300 kWhs annually based on United's Learning Laboratory installations (Click the United DG Demonstration Project tab on this page for more).

Distributed Generation Interconnection and Parallel Operation Requirements Contact

Seth Rosser
Energy Solutions Manager
email: interconnections@ucs.net

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR SOLAR AND WIND INSTALLATIONS

Residential DG Grants

Residential members who install approved photovoltaic/solar DG systems at the residence in which they receive electric service from United are eligible for one grant per unit at a maximum of two grants per member. The DG installation must be completely installed and operational in the calendar year the grant is provided, meet United’s DG specifications and be inspected by a United representative prior to receiving a grant. The DG installation must be on property served by United. Existing DG units and rental properties are not eligible for grant funding. Invoices are required for grant funding approval. Grants will be capped at $500 for PV/solar applications. The interconnected DG capacity must meet or exceed 1,000 watts (1 kilowatt).

Commercial, Industrial or Agricultural DG Grants

Commercial & Industrial, as well as Agricultural members who install approved photovoltaic/solar DG systems at the location in which they receive electric service from United are eligible for one grant per unit at a maximum of two grants per member.The DG installation must be completely installed and operational in the calendar year the grant is provided, meet United’s DG specifications and be inspected by a United representative prior to receiving a grant. The solar DG installation must be on property served by United. Existing DG units and rental properties are not eligible for grant funding. Invoices are required for grant funding approval. Grants will be capped at $1,000 for per application, maximum of two grants. The interconnected solar DG capacity must meet or exceed 5 kilowatts per installation.

Applications for an EnergySmarts DG Grants can be obtained HERE

Distributed Generation Interconnection and Parallel Operation Requirements Contact

Seth Rosser
Energy Solutions Manager
email: interconnections@ucs.net

LEARN HOW RENEWABLE WORKS WITH UNITED'S DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

Interest in renewable energy systems continues to grow, but sometimes choosing the right type of unit can be daunting for consumers.

To help members obtain a real-world expectation for their potential renewable energy installations, United has implemented several DG demonstration projects at local offices and also made these units’ energy output data available for members and the public.

To view the data, visit omda.olameter.com. Type in dglearninglabs@united-cs.com for the username and Lookingout4u! as the password.

While there, you can see all 13 of United's different renewable installations and how much energy they produce in real time. If you're planning to install a renewable DG , please contact United's trusted energy advisors to answer any questions and help you effectively navigate the planning and installation process.

Watch the short tutorial video below to see how to use the Olameter site:

United's Learning Lab sites include:

DG Burleson Solar is a 2.3 kW Schuco array with SMA Sunny Boy inverter.

DG Burleson Wind is a 10 kW Bergey Excel wind turbine.

DG Cleburne Solar 1 is the fixed, roof-mounted 1.48kW Westinghouse Solar array with Enphase micro-inverters.

DG Cleburne Solar 2 is the fixed 1.38kW Sunpower array with Enphase micro-inverters.

DG Cleburne Solar 3 is the tracking 1.38kW Sunpower array with Enphase micro-inverters.

DG Cleburne Wind 1 is the Windspot 3.5kW wind turbine.

DG Cleburne Wind 2 is the Xzeres 110HV 2.5kW wind turbine.

DG Granbury Solar is a 1.1 kW Canadian Solar array with PV Powered inverter.

DG Granbury Wind is a 2.4 kW Southwest Windpower Skystream wind turbine.

DG Meridian Solar is a tracking 1.44kW Schott array with Enphase mircro-inverters.

DG PK Lake Solar is a fixed 1.26kW Kyocera array with PV Powered inverter.

DG Stephenville 1 is the 1.8 kW Solarworld array with Kaco inverter.

DG Stephenville 2 is the 1.7 kW Sanyo array with Fronius inverter.

Distributed Generation Interconnection and Parallel Operation Requirements Contact

Seth Rosser
Energy Solutions Manager
email: interconnections@ucs.net

While United does not endorse one vendor over another, the cooperative does think it important to provide its members with contact information for vendors serving the United area. The organizations below approached United and requested a listing as a DG vendor. Please keep in mind that this roster of vendors might not list every possible vendor serving this area.