Interconnecting Non-Qualifying Facilities
PNM will interconnect with facilities that generate power using less than 75 percent renewable fuels, referred to as “non-qualifying facilities,” as long as those facilities comply with both:
- New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) Rule 17.9.568 or 17.9.569
- PNM Interconnection and Safety Standards for Non-Qualifying Facilities
PNM is not required, however, to purchase energy from a non-qualifying facility. Energy purchase from a non-qualifying facility would be at PNM’s discretion with terms and conditions, including metering options, negotiated case by case.
NMPRC Rules and PNM standards
Rule 17.9.568 (.pdf) - covers interconnections for qualifying and non-qualifying facilities as large as 10 MW.
Rule 17.9.569 (.pdf) - covers interconnections for qualifying and non-qualifying facilities larger than 10 MW.
Rule 17.9.570 (.pdf) - provides guidelines for metering qualifying facilities.
PNM Interconnection
and Safety Standards for Non-Qualifying Facilities (.pdf)
The following list summarizes the requirements; for a complete and detailed list please refer to the NMPRC rules and PNM standards.
- Systems that interconnect by means
of an inverter that is UL 1741 compliant meet state and PNM requirements.
- Interconnected
systems must comply with all applicable building and electrical codes.
- PNM
requires that a utility-accessible, lockable load-break disconnect switch be installed
between the output of the inverter and the point of interconnection. This switch
is referred to later as the customer generation disconnect switch. This disconnect,
which can be operated and controlled by PNM, must provide a verifiable, visible
air gap between the inverter and the point of interconnection. Circuit breakers
and inverter software modes do not meet the disconnect switch requirement. Be
sure to confirm with your installer that opening the customer generation disconnect
switch will not cause some of your loads to be without power from PNM.
- For
installations where the customer generation disconnect switch is not located adjacent
to the PNM metering point, a simple site diagram showing the physical locations
of all key components is required. The system one-line and site diagram drawings
must identify all major equipment including the inverter, electric service panels,
the customer generation disconnect switch and the PNM metering point. These last
two items must be clearly labeled on the one-line diagram.
- A list of the
protective devices associated with the interface must be submitted to PNM. The
list should include, but is not limited to fuses, circuit breakers, protective
relays, synchronizing and disconnecting devices. The list should also include
the equipment manufacturer and model number.
- A short narrative on the
proposed operating procedure for the facility must be submitted to PNM. This procedure
should describe the intended step-by-step sequence for operating breakers and
disconnects to connect and/or disconnect from PNM's system under normal operating
conditions and contingency conditions.
- PNM personnel must verify the proper
operation of the interconnection facilities.
- A permanent weatherproof
one-line diagram or sketch of the system must be installed at the PNM point of
service.
- A standard form interconnection agreement between PNM and the
customer must be signed before the system can be interconnected to the PNM system.
- Detailed
process for interconnecting customer-owned energy generation larger than 10kW
with the PNM distribution system.
Save the application
for interconnection form for non-qualifying facilities or request an application
by contacting PNM:
Interconnection application (.pdf)
Contact
PNM customer generations programs department
PNM
Customer Generation Programs
Alvarado Square
Albuquerque, N.M. 87158-0510
When your project plans are finalized,
complete the application for interconnection and return it along with the application
fee to PNM using the address given above. An application fee of $50 for facilities
with a design capacity less than 100 kW kilowatts and $500 for facilities with
a design capacity of 100 kilowatts or greater is required. The application must
include a copy of the inverter manufacturer's specification sheet showing the
inverter's rating and its listing under UL 1741. If another form of interconnection
protection is used, a list of the protective devices associated with the interconnection
and the operating procedure is needed. The application will also need to include
a simple one-line diagram of the proposed system.
For installations where
the customer generation disconnect switch (utility-accessible disconnect switch)
is not located adjacent to the PNM metering point, a simple site diagram showing
the physical locations of all key components of the system is required. The system
one-line and site diagram drawings must identify all major equipment including
the inverter, electric service panels, the customer generation disconnect switch,
and the PNM metering point. These last two items must be clearly labeled on the
one-line diagram.
View
a sample grid-tie only system one-line diagram (.pdf)
View
a sample stand-alone capable system one-line diagram (.pdf)
View
a sample site diagram (.pdf)
PNM will not process or approve projects
without finalized project plans.
The operating procedure, one-line electrical
diagram and, if required, the site diagram are critical components of the application
for interconnection and will become part of the Interconnection Agreement. Deficiencies
in the operating procedure, one-line diagram and site drawing are the most common
cause for delays in PNM's review and approval of an application for interconnection.
If there are any questions or concerns about the application or about the
interconnection plans, PNM will contact you or your contractor for clarification
to resolve the interconnection concerns. If the application is complete and the
interconnection plans are acceptable, PNM will approve the interconnection design.
To
avoid unnecessary cost and delay, it is recommend that PNM's approval of the final
interconnection design be obtained prior to purchasing material or equipment for
the project.
After the application has been approved, PNM will send
you two originals of the standard form Interconnection Agreement required by NMPRC
Rule 17.9.570. Both originals of this agreement will need to be signed by you,
the PNM customer/generator owner who is requesting the interconnection. You then
return both of the signed originals to PNM for a PNM signature.
PNM will
execute the Interconnection Agreement when all inspections are complete and the
generating system has been authorized to commence interconnected operation.
After
construction of the generating system is complete and after it has received the
final electric inspection from the local building codes authority, you or your
contractor will need to contact PNM for an interconnection approval inspection.
The purpose of PNM's inspection will be:
PNM interconnection
inspections normally can be scheduled within 10 working days of receiving a request.
After
the interconnection has passed PNM's inspection, PNM will provide written authorization
for you to commence interconnected operations of your system. The written authorization
to commence interconnected operation is an attachment to the fully executed Interconnection
Agreement.
PNM will return one of the fully executed agreements to you,
the customer/generator owner, and PNM will file a copy of the fully executed agreement
with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission.
The generating system
may not be operated in parallel with PNM's system without PNM's written authorization
to do so.
