Is Solar or Wind Generation For You?

If you are thinking about installing a solar or wind electric generation system for your home or business, your utility should be one of the first stops you make to discuss your project. We can help assist you with some of the confusion that comes with installing a solar or wind system or “distributive generation” (DG) system. We can also help you make sure your interconnection system is designed to meet our safety and reliability requirements.

As a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative, we’re here to help you make informed decisions about how you use energy. Plus, to ensure your own safety and that of your fellow cooperative members, you are required to notify your utility if you intend to install a distributed generation system; and under Iowa law, an interconnection agreement must be in place for your system.

A first step in exploring the installation of a distributed generation system is to find ways to reduce your energy consumption. Reducing your load first could result in saving you money by allowing you to size a smaller distributed generation (DG) system to fit your needs. 

Click here to review resources to assist you with making some of the tough decisions about installing a solar system. 

If you have questions about solar or wind energy, please call our office before you install a system at 1-866-242-4232; or submit a request through the ContactUs page and  select “Renewable Energy Information”.

Application Process

Application Process for wind or solar installation:

  • Submit application and $125 fee to Access Energy Cooperative. Application is available to download here, or call our office to have one sent.

  • Complete your system installation

    • To ensure the safe and reliable deployment of your system, as well as the stability and integrity of the electric grid, the standard UL 1741 inverter is required

    • The disconnect for your system must be within 10 feet of the system, but cannot be put on an electric pole or any other equipment owned by Access Energy Cooperative

    • It is recommended to size your system for the amount of energy you use; do not oversize your system

  • Submit to the cooperative proof of state inspection approval

  • Contact the cooperative to schedule a witness test and submit the $125 fee

  • System will be energized upon completion of the witness test

  • Contact our office with questions at any time during this process. Call 1-866-242-4232, or use our ContactUs Form to send an email request and choose "Renewable Energy Information"

FAQs

What is the average size of solar systems people are installing?

  • The average size of solar system Access Energy Cooperative members are installing is a 5K or 10K system

How can I tell if my meter is "spinning"?

  • The meters are digital, so they do not spin. There is an arrow on the meter. If it is pointing to the right, Access Energy Cooperative is selling power to you. If the arrow is pointing to the left, your system is producing more power than you need and you are selling power to the cooperative

Can you tell me how much power my system is producing?

  • Access Energy Cooperative does not record production information of a member's system. The cooperative only records the amount of power the member produces to sell to the cooperative.

I have heard I can get my electric bill to $0 if I install a solar system. Is this true?

  • As long as you are a member of Access Energy Cooperative and have an active meter, your account will incur a monthly Base Charge.

  • If you require power in addition to what your system is able to produce, you will be billed for the Energy Charge and Demand Charge for the power you need.

  • For an description of Base Charge, Energy Charge, and Demand Charge, please visit our page on rates.

If my system produces more power than I need, does Access Energy Cooperative buy the power from me?

  • Access Energy Cooperative will purchase excess power from your system at the cooperative's avoided cost, or the same cost the cooperative purchases from our power supplier: Northeast Missouri Electric Power Cooperative (NE Power). This cost is determined by NE Power.

Why do I not get paid the same rate for the excess power I produce that I am paying the cooperative for power I purchase?

  • In order to ensure that other members do not subsidize a DG system installed by one member, the cooperative purchases all power at the avoided cost.

  • Access Energy Cooperative has an all-power requirements contract with our power supplier, NE Power.  In order to purchase the power produced by our members from their DG systems, we must meet the requirements of that contract

Dedicated to exceeding member's expectations for safe, reliable, efficient service while being a good citizen in our communities.