Solar Energy

GETTING STARTED WITH SOLAR 

HARNESSING THE SUN
Generating solar power is a significant and complex undertaking. You want your system to meet safety specifications that protect your family, home and community. We'll help you interconnect your array with Southwestern Electric's power grid safely and efficiently.

SOLAR SAFETY
Your solar array will be connected to Southwestern Electric Cooperative’s distribution system. At times, your project may deliver energy to the grid using our power lines. Faulty equipment, improper installation and maintenance issues can endanger lives and compromise the integrity of your system and our grid. We’ll work with you to ensure your array interacts safely with Southwestern Electric's distribution system.

CONTACT SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRIC
The information we’ve provided here will help you prevent delays and avoid unnecessary expenses. We encourage you to call or email us with questions. Please contact Julie Lowe, energy manager, at (800) 637-8667 or julie.lowe@sweci.com.

SOLAR PROJECT FAQs

WHAT ARE MY FIRST STEPS?
Before you invest in a solar energy system, contact Southwestern Electric Cooperative. We’ll provide information to help you make informed decisions, and send documentation you’ll share with your contractors and insurance agent.

You may want to improve your home's energy efficiency by adding insulation, caulking around doors and windows, and using LED lighting. Investing in energy efficiency beforehand may reduce your energy use and the size of the system required to meet your needs.

HOW MUCH WILL MY PROJECT COST?
Expenses vary from one installation to the next. A system’s rating, manufacturer, the complexity of the installation, and contractor costs affect your overall investment. Ask your installer about tax credits that may help you offset the cost of your system.

WILL SOUTHWESTERN ELECTRIC BUY THE POWER I GENERATE?
Yes. While Southwestern Electric does NOT net meter, we will purchase your excess production.  Compensation for generation flowing into the cooperative will be at our average avoided cost, which is currently 3.770ȼ per kWh. A dual register meter will record both the kWh purchased and the kWh generated onto our system – both registers are read at the beginning of the month and the kWh purchased are calculated at your current rate while the kWh generated onto our system are calculated at our avoided cost. If the dollar amount of credit is greater than the dollar amount of your energy charge, the difference will be put into your “cogen bank” to be applied in future months as needed. The bank resets on April 30th of each year. Any remaining balance will be cleared on this date.

MEMBER-OWNED INTERCONNECTED COGENERATION POLICY

For more information on the responsibilities, requirements and benefits of being a Southwestern member with cogeneration facilities, read our member-owned interconnected cogeneration policy.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please review the terms and conditions related to interconnecting your solar array with Southwestern Electric's distribution system.

INTERCONNECTION AT A GLANCE

We've created a graphic that outlines our interconnection process. You'll find it here.

LEARN MORE

Department of Energy
Touchstone Energy
North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners
National Renewable Energy Laboratory