FAQ

Who makes the rules for interconnection?

Linn County REC’s interconnect rules closely follow Iowa Utilities Board rule RMU-2009-0008 passed in May 2010. The attached forms are a result of the regulation and were designed by the Iowa Utilities Board to be nearly the same for any rate regulated utility in the state of Iowa. Linn County REC is not rate regulated but does closely follow the Iowa Utilities Board rules for interconnection. There are several levels of rules that apply to renewable energy interconnections:

1. FERC – Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
2. State of Iowa rule 199 IAC 45
3. City and county specific rules
4. Linn County REC requirements and specifications

It is the installer’s responsibility to ensure all the rules for installation are followed.

Where do interconnection packets and application payments get sent?

Email is the fastest and preferred way for Linn County REC to receive an interconnect packet. Interconnect packets can be emailed to: renewables@linncountyrec.com

Forms can be submitted by mail to:
Linn County REC
PO Box 69
Marion, IA 52302-0069
ATTN: Renewables

Payments must be made by check and mailed to:
Linn County REC
5695 REC Drive
PO Box 69
Marion, IA 52302-0069
ATTN: Renewables Payments

Please make sure to note on the check the address or preferably the meter number of the installation that the check should be applied to.

Does Linn County REC net meter?

Yes. The standard installation involves installing a single meter that measures kWh purchased from Linn County REC and KWh sold to Linn County REC. The netting takes place in the Linn County REC billing system on a monthly basis.

Does Linn County REC “bank” excess kWh?

No. However Linn County REC does bank dollars. You have a choice of carrying over money left after the net on your account for use on a future bill or receiving a check from Linn County REC. If not specified any dollars left after the net, taxes, etc are applied will be left on the account for use on future bills.

How much does Linn County REC pay for energy sold to the utility?

Linn County REC pays avoided energy cost for purchased energy above the netted amount. Please see our website to get our current AEP Tariff. The avoided cost is adjusted periodically and this will be reflected in the amount Linn County REC pays for energy on your net metered amount.

What rates are eligible for net metering?

For interconnection any of Linn County REC’s total billing on standard rate codes are available for net metering. Please note that you must meet eligibility requirements for the rate. These would include rate codes 3, 4, 5, 11, 12, and 13 as listed in our tariff. Our rates can be found under our current tariff on our website at www.linncountyrec.com. Please be aware rates and rate structures are subject to change. If you are calculating financial options it is likely that the rates and rate structures currently in place will change during the time frame of your payback analysis. Alternative energy members are not locked into any rate and are subject to rate changes in the future.

Are there any rates in the Linn County REC tariff not eligible for alternative energy interconnection?

If you are currently utilizing an optional rate code such as Rate 17DFM, 19DFM, 38DFM  (Heat Plus), Rate 14 (Large Power Time of Day), or Rate 16 (Interruptible) you will not be eligible to continue with these rates due to the way the rates are metered. It will be necessary to move you to one of Linn County REC’s standard rates such as Rate 11TOD, 12TOD, 13TOD or 3MCOM. Our rates can be found under our current tariff on our website at www.linncountyrec.com.

What equipment does Linn County REC recommend for installation?

Linn County REC does not recommend equipment from any particular manufacturer. It is an individual’s choice as to what equipment you install. It is your responsibility to ensure the equipment and installation meet the criteria in the attached documents.

Does Linn County REC keep a list of recommended installers in the area?

Linn County REC does not keep a list of installers or recommend installers. The choice of installers is based on many criteria and must be evaluated by the individual looking to invest in an alternative energy source.

Does Linn County REC offer incentives for purchasing or installing an alternative energy source?

Linn County REC does not offer any cash back or incentives other than net metering.

What happens if I interconnect without telling Linn County REC?

Two things happen. First you will you will not receive credit for electricity put back on the grid. While the meters show a kWh sold to Linn County REC these readings are not recorded by the Linn County REC billing system. Second, when discovered your electric service will be disconnected until the situation has been corrected and the proper paperwork and inspections have been completed.

Who pays if interconnection load requires the electrical grid to be upgraded or changed?

Iowa is a first come first serve state. That means the member whose interconnection causes the changes to be needed on the Linn County REC system pays for the upgrade even if there are others with alternative energy sources already installed that may have contributed to the need for a change to the Linn County REC system. Linn County REC uses the information in the interconnection packet to perform an engineering study in accordance with 199 IAC 45 and IEEE 1547. If of the interconnect request requires changes to the Linn County REC distribution system the member will be billed for the changes necessary if they wish to continue with the interconnection.

Please note lead times for equipment that may be necessary for changes to the Linn County REC system can be 6 months or longer. If a line build or line upgrade is required it could take 12 months or longer to complete the build or upgrade.

The interconnect will not be allowed to connect to the Linn County REC system until the necessary changes have been made to the Linn County REC system.

Do I need to meter the output of my alternative energy source?

Linn County REC does not require a meter at this time but in order to know your consumption you would need to have a way of metering the source. In most cases your inverter will have a way of tracking your production. Linn County REC knows how much electricity you have received from us and how much electricity was sold back to Linn County REC.

What is the average increase in electricity cost from Linn County REC in order to forecast costs in the future?

In the past 25 years it has averaged 1.3% per year (some years higher some lower) and is expected to remain at a similar rate.

What are some pieces of information I should know when looking at alternative energy production?

Maintenance costs, historical usage by month, monthly projected output, cost of interconnection both your equipment and with Linn County REC, interest rates, cost of property taxes, cost of property insurance, modeled percent increases in costs from Linn County REC, warranty, life expectancy (production decreases over time) and current rate design to name a few.

Is rate designed locked after interconnection?

All Linn County REC rates are potentially subject to change in the future and are not locked or grandfathered.

Are there tax implications associated with Linn County REC purchasing power from my interconnected energy source?

Linn County REC cannot advise you on tax implications of selling energy. You will need to consult a tax professional for guidance on the tax implications of selling energy. If Linn County REC purchases excess energy from your interconnected alternative energy source in excess of $600 in any calendar year Linn County REC is required by law to send you an IRS form 1099 at the end of the calendar year.