Rochester Public Utilities

Solar Energy Information Hub 

Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) is the largest municipal utility in Minnesota and serves approximately 52,000 electric customers. RPU is currently experiencing a very limited demand for interconnections with a small customer base as compared to large Investor Owned Utilities, although they do have rebates in place for new distributed generation (DG) installations. The current process is very thorough, and requires close collaboration between RPU and Building Safety. This system ensures that Distributed Generation facilities in Rochester adhere to all necessary codes and permits before starting construction and that the safety and operating procedures of the utility crews are not compromised. This method of application processing can be supported due to the low volume of applications received each year.

RPU is subject to Minnesota’s Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS). The RPS requires that 25% of energy come from renewable sources by 2025. Although RPU is not required to meet a solar carve out, the RPU board has publicly stated the intent to meet the 6% target within the RPS goal. Interconnection applications, particularly for residential solar, are expected to climb in the coming years with a decrease in technology costs and expansion of the federal income tax credit. While the existing solar enrollment process has proven to be effective for current application volumes, resources and departments may become overwhelmed with increased penetration. RPU can improve their scalability by providing more online information for customers and contractors, as well as improving their application tracking practices.

Customers Served (as of December, 2015)

• Serves 52,000 customers
• As of December 2015, 51 residential and 12 commercial for a total of 63 interconnection applications had been received

Roadmap

Information Access

0 of 3 Goals Not Started

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[IA1] Create more written materials for distribution regarding solar and the enrollment process to reduce time spent addressing customer questions and concerns(0)

Initial Status: An FAQ guide is available to customers upon request

Guidance: Create more written materials for distribution that explain solar energy, interconnections, and net metering, including an FAQ. Post this material online to reduce time spent addressing customer questions and concerns.

[IA3] Create an online application checklist(0)

Initial Status: No application checklist currently exists, and some applications are submitted with incomplete or incorrect information

Guidance: Create a checklist that acts as a step-by-step guide to help fill-out the interconnection application and upload to the RPU website

[IA4] Provide standardized inspection checklist(0)

Initial Status: No inspection checklist currently exists

Guidance: Create an inspection checklist for all onsite inspections and upload to the RPU website

Application Tracking and Management

0 of 1 Goals Not Started

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[AT1] Create option for customers to submit applications online for ease(0)

Initial Status: Application materials may be submitted via email, in person, or mail

Guidance: Adopt tool that allows for online submission of applications, and utilize software to allow customer to track applications in real-time and to inform them of any necessary updates.

Distributed Generation Database

0 of 2 Goals Not Started

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[DGD1] Create one centralized location to store data from all systems(0)

Initial Status: Application information is not electronically stored in a database

Guidance: Creating one centralized location to store data from all systems. This database could be integrated with the mapping tools to automate as much of the system as possible.

[DGD2] Integrate database with online application and mapping tools(0)

Initial Status: Application information is not electronically stored

Guidance: Utilize software that interfaces with electronic application submission tool and mapping tools to store and track solar application information.

Resources