Renewable energy: Customer owned generation (Iowa)

If you connect to our distribution system with a generation facility of up to 20 megawatts (MW) capacity, you and your installer must comply with Iowa Administrative Rules, Chapter 15 (IUC 199.15) and Chapter 45 (199.45) (click on Iowa Administrative Code (IAC), then scroll down to Utilities Division [199]).

In addition, you are responsible for following the interconnection rules of the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) and for meeting all Alliant Energy's tariff requirements.

You and your installer are responsible for coordination of design, installation, operation and maintenance of any generation system you install, and for conforming to the requirements of our tariffs and rules and applicable governmental laws and regulations (local, state and federal).

These requirements are designed to protect distribution facilities; avoid electrical interference problems; ensure the safety of customers, electric provider employees and the general public; and maintain overall system reliability.

You are required by law to maintain liability insurance (equal to or greater than the amounts indicated in [IAC 199.45] for Iowa customers, [PSC 199] for Wisconsin customers) or to prove financial responsibility by another means agreeable to us. You are required to notify us if a material modification is made to your generation facility at any time during or after the installation process. A material modification is any modification that changes the maximum electrical output of your facility or changes the interconnection equipment, including:

• Changing from certified to non-certified devices.
• Replacing a component with a component of different functionality or UL listing.

You also are responsible for the proper installation, operation and maintenance of the specified protective devices. Finally, you shall obtain at your expense any and all authorizations, permits and licenses required for the construction and operation of your generation facilities.

We are responsible for promptly carrying out the steps listed below and for meeting all required steps and timelines to process your interconnection application.

To comply with the interconnection agreement, you must maintain general liability insurance coverage such as, but not limited to, homeowner’s insurance. Please attach proof of your insurance policy with your application.

Proof of insurance must include:

1. Facility address.
2. Interconnection customer as insured.
3. General liability coverage.

Use the following official Alliant Energy Iowa utility name and address on the Certificate of Insurance:

Interstate Power and Light Company
200 1st Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

Please remit annually to:

Alliant Energy Renewable Hotline
GO-17
P.O. Box 351
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52406-0351

We recommend reading these rules and guidelines before beginning the interconnection process.

• Iowa Administrative Code – Electric Interconnection of Distributed Resources Facilities Rule
• Alliant Energy DER Technical Interconnection Requirements.pdf
• Alliant Energy Definitions, Acronyms and Abbreviations.pdf
• Alliant Energy Electric Service Rules (includes meter and label diagrams) – Chapter 5, Distributed/Customer-Owned Generation .pdf
• Alliant Energy Electric Service Equipment Manual (includes meter equipment diagrams).pdf

This should provide you a general overview of the interconnection process. Each application is handled on a case-by-case basis and may include additional requirements not mentioned here.

Step 1 – Preapplication process/research

If you are interested in generating your own power, we recommend you read through our helpful information and watch the solar energy video series. This will give you some background information to see if self-generation is right for you and your home. If you decide to pursue installation, these documents will also help you ask the right questions as you search for a reputable installer.

Before you begin your project, gather your historical electrical usage data for your property. Installers require you to provide your electric usage history before giving you an estimate. To help expedite the process, you can find your usage history within My Account or add your installer as a guest user so they can easily have access for the remainder of your project. View our Account and Billing section and click on "Update My Account" within our Help Center.

Step 2 – Submit interconnection application

Once you find an installer, work with them to start your interconnection application with Alliant Energy. They should be able to guide you through the application process or even do it for you and only require you to read over the documents, sign them and provide the applicable fees. You should complete and submit a Standard Interconnection Request Application form (Level 1 or Level 2-4), proof of insurance (if required), other facility information (i.e., one-line diagram, plot plan, manufacturer's technical specifications and label information) from a nationally recognized testing laboratory. If any information is missing, the application will be returned as incomplete.

We recommend you and your installer use our Distributed Generation Assist tool to evaluate and refine your distributed generation system’s design. This tool provides guidance about location, size, design and equipment. You’ll get a downloadable summary report to help you avoid common issues our engineers often encounter reviewing interconnection applications.

If they do not do it for you, you can complete the online application and submit it through PowerClerk, our online portal, or mail it along with your application fee to:

Alliant Energy Renewable Hotline
GO-17
P.O. Box 351
Cedar Rapids IA 52406-0351

Please note: One-line diagrams must show the presence of a lockable visible disconnect and plot plans must show the location of the Alliant Energy meter in relation to the lockable visible disconnect; the disconnect should be adjacent to the Alliant Energy meter.

Step 3 – Application review

If the Standard Interconnection Request Application (Level 1 or Level 2-4) is incomplete or the fee is not received, Alliant Energy will notify you to resubmit.

If the application is complete, our Renewable Energy Hotline will notify you the application has been accepted. An Alliant Energy Distribution Engineer may contact you to explain the terms and conditions and to obtain any additional technical specifications, if required for your project. To stay updated on the status of your project, monitor the email you provided on the application (this is the email you gave to your installer).

Step 4 – Engineering review and approval

Our Distribution Engineering team will complete an engineering review to determine any changes to the distribution facilities or upgrades that are required to serve your generator. A feasibility study and an impact study may need to be completed.

We will notify you in writing with an estimate of the costs associated with any distribution facilities or upgrades required. You must notify us in writing (email is acceptable) to indicate acceptance of project terms and conditions. When additional investment in facilities is required, you must state your willingness to pay for the additional facilities. If you are not willing to pay for the required facilities, the interconnection request is then canceled.

Step 5 – Interconnection agreement

Our Renewable Hotline will complete the following documents and forward to you and your installer for your approval and signature:

• Applicable Standard Interconnection Agreement.
• Certificate of Completion.
• Attachment 2 of the Applicable Standard Interconnection Agreement (if applicable).
• Attachment 3, which details any necessary changes to distribution facility or upgrades (if applicable).
• Any other required documentation necessary for your project.

You return the following forms, via your installer, to our Renewable Energy Hotline:

• Signed Applicable Standard Interconnection Agreement.
• One signed original copy of the Certificate of Completion.
• Completed Attachment 2 of the Applicable Standard Interconnection Agreement (if applicable).
• One signed copy of the electrical inspection form.
• Payment for facility upgrades (if required).

Step 6 – Installation of customer generation

If required for your project, after we receive payment, we perform all work needed to upgrade our distribution system to accommodate your generating equipment.

You install your generating equipment within a timeframe that is mutually agreed upon. Please maintain ongoing communications regarding your project schedule and projected completion date with Alliant Energy personnel so that we may ensure proper interconnection with our facilities.

Before metering will be installed, you must provide documentation of a successful state electrical inspection. If required, a witness test conducted by an Alliant Energy Distribution Engineer will be completed. Special metering or reprogramming will then be installed.

Step 7 – Completion

You will be notified that the interconnection with IPL facilities is approved. A signed original Standard Interconnection Agreement and Certificate of Completion will be sent to you for your records. Your generating equipment should not be in operation prior to receiving this permission to operate.

Applications and processing times are classified by the size and type of system being installed. Remember if you’ve hired a solar contractor to perform your installation, the contractor will work with Alliant Energy on your behalf, so you must be in constant communication with your installer through every step. To stay updated on the status of your project, monitor the email you provided on the application.

Note: Numbers and types of technical reviews may vary by levels. To help expedite the process, complete and return necessary documents. If documents are incomplete or payment is not received, project duration may be delayed.

Billing

• Solar energy billing: Your questions answered.pdf
• Iowa inflow/outflow bill credit example
• Iowa inflow/outflow bill charge example
• Iowa inflow/outflow cash out example

Inflow Outflow – Current tariff (installations after 12/30/2020)

• Understanding our Inflow Outflow rate schedule.pdf
• Inflow-Outflow DG Billing (Sheet 42, Rate Code IO).pdf
• Understanding your Inflow Outflow bill – Residential.pdf
• Understanding your Inflow Outflow bill – General Service.pdf

Net metering pilot – Previous tariff (installations between 5/1/2017 - 12/29/2020)

• Understanding our net metering pilot.pdf
• Solar energy billing: Your net metering pilot questions answered.pdf

• Net Metering Pilot – Renewable Energy Facilities (FROZEN Sheet 39, Rate Code NM).pdf
• Alternative Energy & Small Hydro Production (FROZEN Sheet 52, Rate Code AEP).pdf
• General Rules and Regulations for AEP (Section 16).pdf
  
• Understanding your net metering pilot bill (sample).pdf

CSPP – previous tariff (must qualify, for systems up to 100 kW)

• Cogeneration & Small Power Production (Sheet 49, Rate Code CSPP).pdf
• General Rules and Regulations for CSPP (Section 16).pdf
• Understanding your CSPP bill (sample).pdf