Interconnection Process

System installations applying to operate in parallel with PEC’s distribution system will be subject to all application requirements and fees based on the system size as listed on the nameplate or in aggregate. Application Fees will be posted to the PEC member’s monthly electric account as a one-time, non-refundable fee.

• Tier I: For systems with an aggregated nameplate capacity less than 50 kW (AC) in size, the following fees apply: $500 plus actual cost of system upgrades when applicable.
• Tier II: For systems with an aggregated nameplate capacity equal to or greater than 50 kW (AC) in size, the following fees apply: $700 plus actual cost of the engineering study coordination and system upgrades when applicable.
• Tier III: For systems with an aggregated nameplate capacity equal to or greater than 1 MW but less than 10 MW in size: $2,500 plus actual cost of the engineering study coordination and system upgrades.
• System Expansion, capacity after expansion less than 50 kW (AC): $250
• System Expansion, capacity after expansion equal to or greater than 50 kW (AC) but less than 1 MW: $700 plus actual cost of the engineering study coordination and system upgrades when applicable.

For applications that require an engineering study, all fees will be at cost. Results from studies may require system upgrades to accommodate the interconnection request. All upgrades required will be as per PEC’s Tariff and Business Rules.

When a member moves to a location with distributed generation (DG) equipment already installed, an interconnection application and signed interconnection agreement for Existing DG is required. The DG system shall not be energized and must remain disconnected until the interconnection application process is complete, and PEC provides the member permission to operate (PTO).

Verify the following prior to starting your interconnection application:

• You have established PEC service
• You have a valid meter number and PEC account number
• You have a valid email address (required for Interconnection Agreement e-signature)

Start your interconnection application for EXISTING DG

• View PEC’s helpful PowerClerk User Guide Video.
• You have a valid PEC meter and account number.
• PEC member must have a valid email address; PEC Interconnection Agreement (IA) and Member Acknowledgement Form must be signed by PEC member through DocuSign during the application process.
  • Acknowledgment Form and Interconnection Agreements uploaded upon application submission will not be approved; installers are not permitted to sign documents on behalf of a PEC member.
• One-Line Diagram (sample) of all equipment associated with the application (including but not limited to PV panels, inverter, batteries, visible-lockable AC disconnect, meter).
• Provide the Total DG Output (kW AC) based on aggregate inverter (AC) output. If batteries are part of the design, any inverter associated with the battery must be included as part of the Total DG kW AC Output.
• Total nameplate capacity will be used for the interconnection study and rate classification. Energy management equipment capable of controlling or providing system optimization will not be considered as part of the overall project sizing.
• Review of PEC’s Distributed Generation (DG) Interconnection Application Fees (listed above) and DG Interconnect Rates.

Start your interconnection application

For any corrections required upon initial review, PEC will route the application back to the installer with indication of corrections required; automated emails are sent to the installer and PEC member.

If no corrections are requested, signature is required for grid-tied DG systems and a DocuSign email is sent directly to the PEC member for request of signature.

A valid PEC member email address is required during application submission to complete the DocuSign process. Installers are not permitted to sign an Interconnection Agreement (IA) or Member Acknowledgement Form on behalf of a PEC member. PEC members must sign and return the agreement and acknowledgement form to PEC by DocuSign through the PowerClerk application portal.

After PEC receives the signed agreement, a one-time, non-refundable fee will be posted to the PEC member account and invoiced along with the recurring monthly electric bill.  

Fee does not post to the account until a new billing cycle occurs; members logging in to their SmartHub account will not see the fee posted to the account until a new bill generates.

For installers paying on behalf of a member:

• Pay online using our Pay Now feature, the member’s 10-digit PEC account number, and the primary account holder’s last name.
• Mail payment(s) to PEC at P.O. Box 660069, Dallas, TX 75266-0069. Be sure to include the member’s PEC account number, name, and service address with the payment.
• Use PEC’s automated payment system by calling 855-938-3589.
• PEC accepts all major credit cards and checks by phone; there is no fee to make a payment.

The PowerClerk application is assigned to PEC’s Energy Services Advisor, the One-Line Diagram for system designs, system information and application data is reviewed.

If no corrections or additional information is required, approval to install is sent to the installer and PEC member by automated email. If it is determined the application requires a study coordination or system upgrades, the member will be notified by PEC’s Engineering team.

Once DG installation is complete, applicants can login to PowerClerk and access the application project in the homepage under Current Forms. Click Begin – Confirm Installation / Request for Site Inspection and follow the instructions.

Installers and members may request final inspection by toggling this request from within the existing PowerClerk application.

PEC’s Energy Services Advisor will receive your request to inspect and perform a site visit within 10-15 business days though we strive for sooner.

• PEC members and installers are not required to be at the location when inspection is performed, and PEC may inspect without prior notice.
• If final inspection fails, the installer and PEC member will be notified by email through the PowerClerk application portal, which will include the reasons the inspection failed.
• Once corrected, a re-inspection will need to be requested by the installer or member through the existing PowerClerk application

Please note: Failed inspections may result in a $100 charge for additional site visits. Please ensure the DG system is ready to be inspected, including all required city permitting and inspections. Use the following checklist to review all required items before submitting your request for final inspection:

• Check exposed array wiring for correct rating and sunlight resistant insulation
• Check that all wiring and conduit is appropriately rated, neat, and well supported
• Check that all grounded conductors are white and equipment grounding conductors are green or bare
• Check to verify that all junction boxes are accessible
• Check that the system has a visible, lockable, labeled, disconnect (VLLD) that is fused and located within 10′ of the point of interconnection OR a disconnect (VLLD) with a dedicated PV breaker
• Check to confirm that the VLLD is within line-of-sight of the PEC meter OR a map placard has been installed near the meter showing the location of the VLLD on the property
• VLLD should always be accessible to PEC
• PEC meter is accessible with no obstructions
• Ensure equipment installed is identical to that of the One-Line Diagram approved by PEC in the application

PEC will email the installer and PEC member a notice of permission to operate (PTO) through the existing PowerClerk application portal upon approval of final inspection by PEC Advisor.

For safety, PEC requires all distributed generation (DG) systems to be approved prior to installation. All previously installed and approved systems adding another DG resource or additional capacity to existing systems are required to complete a new application and must receive permission to operate. Per PEC’s Tariff and Business Rules, a member shall not generate on their DG system until PEC provides permission to operate (PTO) through our interconnection process.

Applicable interconnection rates per system size will be reviewed and assigned to the member account and the interconnection process is complete! For members with systems below 50 kW (AC) who have completed the process, the PEC account rate will default to the Sustainable Power Credit as per PEC’s Tariff and Business Rules.

For members interested in being placed on PEC’s Interconnection Time-of-Use Base Power Credit, contact us at 1-888-554-4732. Agents are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Interconnect TOU Rate option requires a 12-month commitment. After 12 months of enrollment, members my opt out. After opting out, members must wait a full year to reenroll.

For more information, please see our distributed generation interconnection rates or contact us at [email protected].