Interconnections
Welcome to the Interconnections page! Customers seeking to connect private energy generation facilities that will interact with Minnesota Power’s distribution system will find information and documentation here.
The information on this page is intended for system connections up to 10 MWac. That includes household sized solar arrays, to larger commercial or distribution direct connected systems. If you seek to connect to a larger system, those inquiries should be directed here.
Since 2019, Minnesota has instituted a small generator interconnection process called Minnesota Distributed Energy Resource Interconnection Process (MnDIP). There are three process tracks for applying to Minnesota Power for an interconnection. They are the Simplified, Fast Track and Study processes. More information on each process can be found below.
Minnesota Laws Ch. 127, Art. 42, sec. 54 requires Minnesota Power to assess and collect a surcharge of $50 on each interconnection application in addition to the regular application fee and remit the full surcharge to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to fund an interconnection ombudsperson position. The interconnection ombudsperson will mediate disputes between utilities, project developers, and consumers related to interconnecting generation projects to the distribution system. All interconnection related issues may be relayed to the ombudsperson by contacting the Public Utilities Commission Consumer Affairs Office at consumer.puc@state.mn.us, 651-296-0406 or 800-657-3782.
Simplified Process
Application Fee: A flat fee of $100 per application will become due after submission of the application. The fee will be assessed in due process and will be charged to the customer or the installer. You will elect who gets the fee charged during the application process.
The fee may be paid in two ways:
- Electronically: The charge will be assessed on MyAccount. For installers, you must have an account set up in order to view and pay invoices on the MyAccount portal.
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Via Check or Money: You may send the payment to:
Minnesota Power
Attn. Renewable Programs
30 W Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55802
Proof of insurance: A minimum of $300,000 liability insurance is required. Ensure that the document attached to the application shows a line item for personal liability of at least $300,000.
One-Line diagram: A pictorial representation of all components of the system in the order they will be installed. This should include existing systems, service panels, meters, disconnects, generators (e.g. solar modules), inverters, etc.
Site plan: A bird’s eye view of the site and location of all components of the system. System components should match the one-line diagram.
System Component Specification Sheets: OEM data sheets for major components of the system. This includes solar modules, inverters, wind turbine, battery energy storage systems, etc.
Other Documents: Other information may be needed as well, such as data for battery energy storage systems. This form should be used when a BESS is included in the overall system, or as a standalone system: Energy Storage Addendum.
When you are ready to begin the interconnection process of a system of 20 kW or less, please use the link here to access our online application form:
Two other process paths exist for interconnections over 20 kWac. Both of the following processes require the same documentation as the Simplified Process but will also have further detailed requirements. Both processes use the same application.
Fast Track Process
Use this process for systems that are under 250 kWac and connected to a load behind the meter.
Application Fee: A fee of $100 per application plus an additional $1 per kilowatt AC (kWac) will become due after submission of the application. The fee will be assessed in due process and will be charged to the customer or the installer. You will elect who gets the fee charged during the application process.
The fee may be paid in two ways:
- Electronically: The charge will be assessed on MyAccount. For installers, you must have an account set up in order to view and pay invoices on the MyAccount portal.
-
Via Check or Money: You may send the payment to:
Minnesota Power
Attn. Renewable Programs
30 W Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55802
When you are ready to begin the Fast Track interconnection process, please use the link here to access our PDF application form:
Study Process
The Study Process will be for certain systems over 250 kWac. This may include interconnection for behind the meter or other types of interconnections. An interconnection approval and interconnection agreement does NOT constitute an agreement for purchase of power unless the system includes a uniform statewide contract (net metering) and is also under 1000 kWac. Agreements for energy purchase are subject to separate rules, regulations, and/or contracts.
Application Fee: A flat fee of $1000 per application plus an additional $2 per kWac will become due after submission of the application. The fee will be assessed in due process and will be charged to the customer or the installer. You will elect who gets the fee charged during the application process.
The fee may be paid in two ways:
- Electronically: The charge will be assessed on MyAccount. For installers, you must have an account set up in order to view and pay invoices on the MyAccount portal. Installers/developers may contact Renewable Programs for more information on how to get an account set up.
-
Via Check or Money: You may send the payment to:
Minnesota Power
Attn. Renewable Programs
30 W Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55802
When you are ready to begin the Study Process interconnection process, please use the link here to access our PDF application form:
More Resources: You will find more information and documents including technical standard and detailed process documentation on our Distributed Generation page.
