Solar*Rewards Community

Interconnection Process

Training

January 17, 2019

• Housekeeping Items

• Training Objectives

• Introductions

• Interconnection Application Process

• Regulatory

• Subscriber Submittal & Maintenance

• What’s New in 2019

• Open Discussion

Agenda

2

Welcome to the 2019 MN S*RC

Interconnection Process Training

3

• Goal: To provide developers with the information to complete Xcel

Energy’s interconnection application process in a timely manner with

little to no errors or delays.

• Achieving the above goal will aid in meeting or exceeding our mutual

customer’s expectations, in terms of interconnection timelines, resulting

in an overall increase in customer satisfaction.

What Can I Learn from this Training?

4

• New Developers: Familiarize yourselves with the basics of the solar

garden application and interconnection process, and find answers to

common questions

• Current Developers: Continue your education and learn about best

practices

• Didn’t get a personal invite? Email SRCMN@xcelenergy.com and ask to

be added to the Workgroup Members list, or click here.

• External Industry Team Players

– Garden Operators

– Subscribers/Customers

– Financers

– Local inspectors

– Government/Regulators

– Many More

Team Introductions

5

• SRCMN Program Mgmt. Team (PMO)

– Tom Santori, Program Manager

– Crystal Pomerleau,

Marketing Assistant

– Cale Pieczynski,

Marketing Assistant

• Subscriber management

• SRCMN@xcelenergy.com

• Internal Team Players

– Design/Construction

– Builders Call Line

– Metering

– Engineering

– Billing

– BSC (Business Solutions Center)

Section / Chapter Slide

6

Interconnection

Application Process

• Pre-application – Capacity Screening

1. Initial Application and Deposit/Escrow

2. Developer/Owner Validation

3. Initial Review

4. Engineering Scoping Study

5. Design & Construction

6. Documents & Contract Submission

7. Application Completion

8. Active

Interconnection Application Process

7

Pre-application: Capacity Screens

Pre-application

8

• Snap-shot of estimated site

capacity before formally applying

• Check first:

– Map of MN Service Territories

– Interactive Hosting Capacity Map

• Submit forms to all the following:

– SRCMN@xcelenergy.com

– NSPMNDGEng@xcelenergy.com

– Crystal.R.Pomerleau@xcelenergy

.com

• 15 calendar days for results

Requirements:

1. Capacity Screening Form

(XLSX)

2. Capacity Screen SOW (PDF)

3. Nondisclosure Agreement (PDF)

4. Capacity Screen Fee ($250)

* The capacity screen data only includes existing data. A request for a

capacity screen does not obligate Xcel Energy to conduct a study or other

analysis of the proposed DER in the event that data is not readily

available. If Xcel Energy cannot complete all or some of a capacity screen

report due to lack of available data, Xcel Energy will provide the

Interconnection Customer with a capacity screen report that includes the

data that is available. The provision of information on “available capacity”

does not imply that an interconnection up to this level may be completed

without impacts since there are many variables studied as part of the

interconnection review process. The distribution system is dynamic and

subject to change, and data provided in the capacity screen report may

become outdated at the time of the submission of the complete

Interconnection Application. Xcel Energy will, in good faith, include data in

the capacity screen that represents the best available information at the

time of reporting.

Capacity Screen Disclaimer

Pre-application

9

Apply Online

Formal Online Application

10

• “Garden Operator” =

“SRC Producer/Garden Operator”

– Portal access based on account team

– Tied to one email address/username

• “System Owner Information” =

“Developer/Owner”

– Exact LLC associated with garden

– Same entity on State Certificate Form

– May be same as parent developer

• 30 days to submit

Requirements:

1. Deposit Payment

– Two Options: Check/Wire to Xcel Energy, or establish a US Bank

Escrow account

2. Deposit Form (PDF)

3. Application Fee Payment

4. Application Fee Form (PDF)

*Attach wire confirmations directly to each fee form

Step 1: Initial Application and

Deposit/Escrow

Step 1

11

Checks

Xcel Energy

Customer Receivables Solar*Rewards Community MN

P.O. Box 59 Minneapolis, MN 55440‐0059

Wire transfer

Bank: Wells Fargo Banks, N.A.

City/State: San Francisco, CA

Routing/ABA: 121-000-248

Acct No: 31966

Acct Name: NSPM

*Include SRC# & payment type in wire or check notes

All Payments

All Steps

12

Step 2: Developer/Owner Validation

Step 2

13

Requirement:

1. Certificate of Good Standing

from the Secretary of State

Requirements:

1. Single-Line Diagram (SLD, One-Line)

2. Site Plan

3. Generation Interconnection Application (Appendices B, Section 10 tariff)

4. GIA Fee Form

5. GIA (Initial Review) Fee Payment

• 30 day review

• Clock restarts if comments need to be addressed

– Technical Review Guidelines - One-Line & Site Plan (PDF)

– Common errors

• Passed review = ‘Deemed Complete’:

– VOS rate established

– Statement of Work (SOW) provided within 10 business days

– Project moved into Step #4

Step 3: Initial Review

Step 3

14

• Conference call set up on bi-weekly basis once an operator has at least

one (1) application in Step #3

• Purpose: discuss program and project specifics with Xcel Energy

Program Management Team

• Agendas required 48 hours prior to the meeting

• Xcel Energy Technical Resources and Designers do not attend

– Xcel Energy Engineers may attend as needed based on submitted agendas

Garden Operator Bi-Weekly Calls

Step 3 - All Steps

15

Requirements:

1. Executed Statement of Work (SOW)

– MW ahead in queue

2. Engineering Data Submittal Form (Appendix C, Section 10)

3. Engineering Scoping Study Fee Payment

• ‘Expedited Ready’:

– Must be achieved within 60 days of ‘Deemed Complete’ date

– Will be sent to begin the engineering scoping study

– Locks in DG Queue position

– Establishes the Application Required Completion date (24 months from

expedited ready date)

• 50 business day study

Step 4: Engineering Scoping Study

Step 4

16

• Study completed:

– Interconnection Agreement (IA) provided

– “Final” decision to move forward within 30 calendar days

– Sign and pay indicative cost estimate

• In full or 1/3 with approved Letter of Credit

• *The interconnection cost estimate is based only upon the initial information

submitted and study results. Actual costs may vary significantly based on

changes in the design and construction stage and will be trued up at the end of

the application process

• Designer will be assigned

– They will reach out to the PAM in 2-4 weeks to establish initial on site

meeting

Step 4: Engineering Scoping Study

Step 4

17

Hold Requests

Step 5

18

• Developers have the ability to put a project on hold once an IA has been

signed and paid

• Temporarily prevents from moving forward into design/construction

• Requirements:

– No projects behind in queue

– At least 7 months from Application Required Completion date

• (No extension)

• Key Resource: SRCMN Commercial Operation Process Document

• Design Kick Off – On Site Meeting between garden operator & designer

– Establish In Service Date

• Main point of contact will be your designer for project specifics

• Detailed Design Timeframe: +/- 16 weeks

– Operators will receive a detailed design estimate at completion of design

• Metering Equipment ordered 20 weeks from In Service Date

– 15 week procurement timeline subject to vary depending on equipment

• Construction Timeframe: +/- 12 weeks

Step 5: Design & Construction

Step 5

19

In Service Date (ISD) : a negotiated and agreed upon date between garden operator and detailed designer for when both parties will have all work complete on site. The date directly

influences meter orders and establishment of energization and acceptance test dates.

Step 6: Documents & Contract

Submission

Step 6

20

• Simultaneous with Step 5

• Must complete all program requirements at least 10 business days prior

to scheduled energization date.

Section 10/Program Requirements:

1. Reservation Letter

2. Finalized Single-Line Diagram

3. Subscriber Validation (at least 5 unique subscribers)

4. Final Interconnection Agreement including any updated exhibits

5. Valid legal entity authorized to do business in Minnesota

6. Signed MRETs Registration Documents (registration template & schedule A)

7. Signed Standard Contract for Solar*Rewards Community & applicable amendments

8. Interconnection Cost Estimate Payment (at least 2/3 of current Exhibit B)

9. Approved Testing Procedure

10. Insurance Requirement Approved

11. State Electrical Inspection Sign Off with sticker verification

• Energization: Xcel Energy provides backfeed power to the community

solar garden site to allow garden operator testing of their equipment.

• Acceptance Test: Garden Operator performs approved acceptance test

procedure, which includes three phase and single phase, as well as

complete site review and verification.

• 8 weeks prior to In Service Date – Operators eligible to request and lock

in energization and acceptance test dates

• Preparation

– Review Community Solar Commissioning Guidelines

– Review Quick Reference for Large PV Acceptance-Witness Testing

– Verify requirements in “Engineering Blue Book”

– Local authorities may require additional items

Energization & Acceptance Test

Step 7

21

Step 7: Application Completion

Step 7

22

Requirements:

1. Perform and Pass Acceptance Test

2. Update contact information

• In order to achieve Permission to Operate (PTO), garden operators

must successful perform acceptance testing of the solar garden facility

and receive site verification approval from the area engineer.

• PTO Letter will be dated on the date of acceptance test if successfully

passed and site verification approved

– If any outstanding items come from acceptance test, garden operators are given 2

weeks to correct and submit verification documentation. Site will be de-energized if

any outstanding items still stand beyond the two weeks

– With outstanding items, PTO Letters will be dated based on the date all verification

documentation was submitted to SRCMN@xcelenergy.com to address outstanding

items

To receive final invoices/checks, PTO achieved/project withdrawn:

1. Email bsc@xcelenergy.com requesting update

– Our team is legally unable to make the change/request

2. Include premise and account number (Found on SRC page)

3. Submit billing address in following format: *Limit 3 lines*

1. Payee

2. Address (Or PO Box, which will override an address)

3. City/State/Zip

4. CC SRCMN@xcelenergy.com

5. Receive confirmation from the BSC

Updating Contact Information*

Step 7

23

Step 8: Active

Step 8

24

• Applications automatically move to Step 8 once the first valid subscriber

bill credits are posted

• Final Interconnection (IA) Cost true-up

– 120 day process from commercial operation date

– Refund check/invoice sent to address in CRS – Make sure to update!*

– 30 days to pay

• Ongoing fees and responsibilities

– Any charges for power billed separately

– $300 annual fee

– Annual Report Submittal

Commercial Operation Date (COD) : the 1st of the month following the Permission to Operate (PTO) date. *Example, a site achieves Permission to Operate (PTO) on 1/17/19, the COD date will be 2/1/2019.

All timelines vary by project complexity, resources availability, weather, developer response, and other conditions Developers will be kept apprised of design & construction schedule changes as they occur.

Interconnection Process & Timeline Summary

Application

(± 60 days)

•Developer creates application, provides

design drawings

•Developer pays fees within 30 days

•Xcel Energy comments or deems

complete within 30 days

•Xcel Energy provides Interconnection

Study Proposal (SOW) within 10

business days

Expedited Ready

(Within 60 days of deemed complete)

•Developer provides:

•Appendix C

•Pays Study fee

•Verifies size and Co-Location

compliance

•Verifies grounding requirements are

sufficient

•Executes Study SOW

Engineering Scoping Study

(30 business days ≤ 250 kW; otherwise 40 calendar to

50 business days)

•Xcel Energy provides:

•Available capacity summary

• Interconnection Agreement (IA)

• Indicative Cost Estimate

•Developer pays construction fee &

signs IA within 30 days

•Xcel Energy reviews & signs IA within

15 business days

Detailed Design

(± 16 weeks)

•Xcel Energy

•Transitions from engineering lead to

design lead

•Collaborates onsite and as needed

with developer

•Completes detailed design

•Orders long lead materials &

schedules resources

•Secures permits for XE project

•Provides detailed design cost estimate

Construction Highly variably by project;

± 12 weeks

•Distribution Construction

•Substation Construction

•Final program requirements met,

including payment of 2nd construction

payment

Activation

•Energization & Acceptance Testing

•Permission to Operate Issued

•S*RC Contract signed

•Valid Subscribers begin receiving bill

credits

•Developer pays remaining construction

costs within 30 days of invoice (≈ 120

days post completion)

Application Review & Study Process ≈ ± 5 months

Design & Construction Process ≈ ± 7 months

All Steps

Section / Chapter Slide

26

Regulatory

• Section 9:

– Governs S*RC Specifically

• Section 10:

– All Distributed Generation

– Appendix B – GIA Form (Step #3)

– Appendix C – Engineering Data Submittal Form (Step #4, before study)

– Appendix E – Interconnection Agreement (Step #4, after study)

Tariffs

All Steps

27

• Must be submitted annually to all subscribers

• Copy submitted to Xcel Energy for review and uploaded once approved

• Review “Annual Report Template”

• Deadline – March 31 each calendar year following one full production

year

– Example: Site received PTO on any date in 2017

• 2018 annual report will be the first required and must be submitted to all

subscribers and Xcel Energy on or prior to March 31, 2019

• Failure to comply may result in disconnection notice

Annual Reports

Active

28

• Solar*Rewards Community is filed in Docket 13-867

• E-dockets: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/edockets/search.jsp

Minnesota Commerce – E-dockets

All Steps

29

• Dockets can be reviewed by adding the docket number to the website

• The Docket is really large, so you can minimize this by searching by

Document Type (Orders, Reply, Comments) or on behalf of (Xcel

Energy, Department, PUC)

• You can also search by key word (VOS) in the next section of the

website

• By using both you will narrow down your search and limit the amount of

filings for review

Minnesota Commerce – E-dockets

30

• You can also sign-up to get notice of filings in the Docket

• Go to

eService Home/Login

• Register for eFiling

• Go to Manage Service Lists

Minnesota Commerce – E-dockets

31

Section / Chapter Slide

32

Subscriber Submittal & Maintenance

1. Subscriber Agency Agreement

– Completed and signed by subscriber

2. Send to datarequest@xcelenergy.com

– ** “Community Solar Garden

Operator” line on SAA must match

“Developer/Owner” field in portal

SRC page for that garden

– 5-10 business days for approval

Submitting Subscribers

Step 5

33

1. Enter into SalesForce

– Common Errors

• Refer to “Subscriber Portal Error Key” document in Subscriber Management

section (under Step 5) of updated Developer Resource Page

– Enter subscriber Account/Premise (eliminate any leading zeroes)

– Upload SAA

Submitting Subscribers Cont.

Step 5

34

• Solar Production recorded in kilowatt hours (kWh)

• Subscriber allocations calculated into bill credit

• Production is posted to subscriber accounts on the 9th of each month

• Timing

– If billing cycle after the 9th, subscriber will receive credits for the previous

month’s production

– If billing cycle before the 9th, subscriber credits will have one month lag

– If billing cycle occurs on the 9th, subscriber credits will vary

• Subscribers can request to have their billing date changed by calling

Xcel Energy Customer Service (1-800-895-4999)

Bill Credit Timing

Step 8

35

Sample Subscriber Bill Details

Step 8

36

• Available for Primary Application Manager & Account Team Members

• Located under “Reports” tab on Developer Portal

Subscriber Maintenance Monthly Reports

Active

37

• Minimum 5 valid subscribers, must be in compliance 5 business days

before the end of the month

Subscriber Allocation Summary

Active

38

P = Production OU = Owner Unsubscribed

OS = Owner Subscribed S = Subscribers Allocation

*Each valid subscriber will have two line items (standard tariff rate and REC adder)

Monthly Owner Report

Active

39

• Updated Developer Resource Page

– Sample SAA

– Subscriber Portal Error Key

– Subscriber Submission & Requesting Usage

• Bill Credits Section (After Step 8)

– Annual Bill Credit Payouts for Excess Credits

– Average Monthly Payment (AMP) Customer Info

Additional Subscriber Information

All Steps

40

Section / Chapter Slide

41

What's New in 2019

• The 2018 VOS rate remains applicable for applications deemed complete in the early part of 2019 as the new 2019 VOS rate has yet to be approved by our regulators.

2019 VOS Update

• Goes into effective as of June 17, 2019

• Additional training and updates will be provided in near future

MN DIP Implementation

• Available as of 12/20/2018

• Requirement from Two (2) company-owned meters to One (1) “Production Meter”

• Formal request must be submitted to SRCMN@xcelenergy.com

Single Meter Amendment

• Developer Resource page recently updated

• Developer Portal field visibility updating on 1/19/2018

Website & Developer Portal Updates

What’s New in 2019

42

Thank you!

Questions?

43

Thank you for attending the 2019 Solar Developer Training

Still have questions? We are here to help!

Resources:

1. www.XcelEnergy.com/SRCResources

2. www.XcelEnergy.com/SolarRewardsCommunity

3. SRCMN@xcelenergy.com