By Patrick Soukup
Manager of Member Services & Marketing
As Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) continue to grow in popularity, electric utilities are seeing an increasing number of member-owned projects, including solar arrays, battery storage systems, standby generators, wind turbines and other customer-owned generation. While these technologies offer greater energy independence and resiliency, they also require careful coordination to ensure the safety and reliability of the electric distribution system.
Energy providers play a critical role in evaluating every DER installation before it is connected to the grid. Each project must be reviewed to determine its impact on system capacity, voltage regulation, protection coordination, and overall reliability. The interconnection process also ensures compliance with utility standards and applicable regulations while protecting cooperative personnel and the public.
Historically, interconnection agreements and supporting documentation have relied on paper forms, emails and manual communication between members, contractors and cooperative staff. As the number of DER projects increases, these methods can become time-consuming and difficult to manage.
To improve efficiency and the member experience, many cooperatives are adopting interconnection management platforms such as Nova Portal.
Nova Portal serves as a centralized online system where members, contractors, engineers and cooperative personnel can submit applications, upload required documents, monitor project status and communicate throughout the approval process.
Using a single platform provides greater transparency and accountability for everyone involved. Members can easily track the progress of their projects, while cooperative personnel benefit from standardized workflows, organized documentation and improved communication. This streamlined process reduces administrative workload, minimizes delays caused by incomplete applications and allows engineering staff to focus on technical evaluations rather than paperwork.
For energy providers, adopting a digital interconnection platform is more than an operational improvement, it is an investment in customer service. A consistent, transparent process builds trust with members while ensuring every project is reviewed thoroughly and connected safely.
As DER adoption continues to expand, efficient interconnection processes will become increasingly important. Platforms like Nova Portal help bridge the gap between members and their cooperative by simplifying paperwork, improving communication and supporting timely project approvals.
Please call me with any questions or stop by the office if you are considering a wind, solar or battery project. Central Electric strives to help our members successfully integrate new technologies while maintaining the reliable electric service our members depend on.