General Interconnection Process
The following steps are used as an overview to help you through the interconnection process for Category 1.
  1. Starting the Interconnection Process:
    • Customer: Let us know that you want to interconnect an electric generating system by contacting the interconnection hotline at 313.235.4333 or email a DTE Energy representative.
    • DTE Energy: We will provide access to a highly qualified engineer to help you through your entire process. All documents, forms and applications required to complete the process can be found on our website.
  2. Completing the Interconnection Application:
    • Customer: Complete and submit the standard Interconnection Application to the name and address on the form. A completed application consists of: (1) all required data fields filled in and (2) a filing fee.
    • Customer: At this point you may defer reviewing or review the rate option section of the web site to determine the best applicable rate option for your needs. If you qualify for and choose to select net metering as your rate, please check the boxes related to net metering on the combined interconnection and net metering application and submit the $100 combined application fee to DTE Energy.
    • DTE Energy: We will send a letter or e-mail, within ten (10) business days, acknowledging our receipt of your application and notifying you that your application is complete or informing you if any portion of the application or interconnection data is incomplete or missing. Incomplete applications will be returned with the deficiencies clearly identified and may be resubmitted when complete. We will also send you a checklist with all the items that must be completed prior to operating in parallel. The application filing fee must be received by DTE Energy before we can move forward with the application review.
  3. Application Review—DTE Energy Engineering Review; DTE Energy Parallel Operating Agreement; DTE Energy Customer Generation Site Verification:
    • Customer: Provide us with advance written notice five (5) business days before your project will be ready for inspection, testing and approval.
    • DTE Energy: After we have your completed POA and customer checklist, we will schedule for a site visit to verify that you can safely operate in parallel with our system. This may include various tasks, such as an anti-islanding test, changing meters, verification of proper installation of the isolation device, and verification of electrical city/township inspection.
    • Customer: The customer or project developer does not have to be at the site. If you choose to be at the site, please contact the appropriate DTE Energy representative you are working with on the project to schedule the visit .
  4. Parallel Operation Authorization and Ongoing Operation:
    • DTE Energy
Detailed Interconnection Requirements
These generator interconnection guidelines outline the process, requirements and agreements for installing or modifying generation projects connected in parallel with the DTE Energy electrical system.
Technical requirements (data, equipment, relaying, telemetry, metering) are defined below according to the size and type of generation, location of the interconnection and mode of operation (flow-back or non-flow-back).
These guidelines comply with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) rules established in MPSC Order-Case U-15787. The guidelines protect the safety of utility workers, and ensure safe operation of generators and distributed generation units in conjunction with utility company electric systems.
Read a description of DTE Energy’s Electrical Distribution System.
Proposed Guidelines:
If you have questions regarding these guidelines, call the interconnection hotline at 313.235.4333.
These Generator Interconnection Guidelines are not intended for interconnections constructed to accommodate interstate transactions subject to the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Entities seeking to interconnect generation for the purpose of engaging in wholesale energy sales should contact the Midwest Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) regarding the appropriate procedures for interconnecting directly to the transmission system.
References
These informative websites and documents can help you complete your project.
  • Institute of Electrical Engineers
    The Institute of Electrical Engineers can provide you with interconnection standards. Please refer to IEEE 1547.
  • Michigan Public Service Commission
    The Michigan Public Service Commission website offers specific information regarding interconnection standards and net metering rules for the State of Michigan.
  • Section 5 - Service Equipment Manual
    The Section 5 - Service Equipment Manual describes the detailed requirements regarding installation of metering equipment.
  • Section 7 - Wiring and Appliance Installation Manual
    The “Metering of Customer Owned Generation” section of the Section 7 - Wiring and Appliance Installation Manual provides general information regarding meter equipment, disconnect switch, and a simple diagram of a secondary grid-tied generator interconnection.
  • Midwest Independent System Operator
    At the Midwest Independent System Operator website, the Midwest ISO Generator Interconnection page is your resource for information related to generator interconnection.
  • ITC
    The ITC website has information about the transmission grid.
  • NEC
    National Electric Codes at the NFPA website. Please review the NEC manual before performing any electrical work.
  • Underwriters Laboratory
    Go to Underwriters Laboratory to see the UL 1741 standard that must be used to be in compliance for your customer generation equipment.
  • Great Lake Renewable Energy Association1
    The Great Lake Renewable Energy Association will provide you with a listing of contractors to install your customer generation.
    1DTE Energy has no relationship with, or control over, contractors listed on this website. This website is provided solely for the convenience of our customers. No endorsement is stated or implied.
Applications and Agreements
If you have read over all the steps for the interconnection process, and you verified your equipment is approved by checking the equipment list, or you have called the interconnection hotline 313.235.4333 to verify your equipment is approved per the UL 1741 Scope 1.1a standards, then select the application below that fits your generation needs.
  • Category 1 Interconnection/Net Metering Application
    The Category 1 Interconnection/Net Metering Application is required for inverter based projects tested to IEEE 1547.1 and in compliance with UL 1741 with a capacity of 20 kW or less.
  • Category 2 Interconnection/Net Metering Application
    Complete the Category 2 Interconnection/Net Metering Application for renewable projects with a capacity of more than 20 kW but less than or equal to 150 kW and for all renewable projects that are non-inverter based or non-IEEE 1547.1 compliant under 20 kW—necessary for all customers installing generation. Category 2 Interconnection Application
  • Category 2 Interconnection Application
    The Category 2 Interconnection Application is for non-Net Metering projects with a capacity of more than 20 kW but less than or equal to 150 kW and for Non-Net Metering projects that are non-inverter based or non-IEEE 1547.1 compliant under 20 kW—necessary for all customers installing generation.
  • Category 3 Interconnection/Net Metering Application
    Use the Category 3 Interconnection/Net Metering Application for Methane Digester projects with a capacity of more than 150 kW but less than or equal to 550 kW—necessary for all customers installing generation.
  • Category 3 Interconnection Application
    Complete the Category 3 Interconnection Application for non-Net Metering projects with a capacity of more than 150 kW but less than or equal to 550 kW. Necessary for all customers installing generation.
  • Category 4 Interconnection Application
    Fill out the Category 4 Interconnection Application* for projects with a capacity of more than 550 kW but less than or equal to 2 MW. Necessary for all customers installing generation.
  • Category 5 Interconnection Application
    Use the Category 5 Interconnection Application for projects with a capacity of more than 2 MW. Necessary for all customers installing generation.
  • Parallel Operating Agreement
    The Parallel Operating Agreement is for category 1 and 2 projects with a capacity up to 150kW or less. The agreement is to be executed once you have received a letter from DTE Energy stating your application and all necessary studies have been completed per DTE Energy.
  • Engineering Review Agreement
    An Engineering Review Agreement is required for Category 4 projects or larger.
Application Mailing Address
All applications and agreements should be mailed to:
Interconnection Coordinator
323 SB
DTE Energy
One Energy Plaza
Detroit, MI 48226