In 2000, the Delaware Public Service Commission approved interconnection standards for wind projects of various sizes. The specific language can be found in the Energy Alternatives Program Regulation (Section 3.5 Wind Turbines, of the Energy Program Regulation).

These standards include approved interconnection standards for Conectiv and Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC). There are different technical requirements/standards for generators smaller than 25 kW and generators between 25 kW and 1 MW. DEC's standards are similar to Conectiv's and the specific standards followed by both are outlined below.

Conectiv Specifics
Conective has interconnection rules divided into six categories based on system size, energy source (renewable or non-renewable), and whether the system is inverter-based or uses a rotating generator. These categories determine the technical requirements and which form (short or long) the customer must file.

All inverter-based systems with a generating capacity of 25kW or less must comply with Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Standards Board (IEEE 929) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL 1741) in addition to Conectiv's Technical Guidelines Sections I through XIII. These installations are exempt from a Pre-Interconnection Study. Furthermore, these smaller systems are not required to install an external disconnect device.

In cases of emergency, however, the utility reserves the right to disconnect the system without notification. The customer accepts full responsibility for any risks involved with disconnecting the system.

Inverter-based systems generating between 25 kW and 1 MW are required to comply with all sections of the Technical Guidelines. Larger inverter-based systems must also comply with IEEE 929 and UL 1741. All systems between 25 kW and 1 MW must undergo a Pre-Interconnection Study as specified in the Technical Guidelines and are required to have a manual disconnect device.

Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC)
Regulated by the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC), DEC has interconnection rules similar to those of Conectiv. For renewable energy generators of 25 kW or less, systems must comply with all applicable safety and performance standards established by the National Electric Code (NEC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). There is no similar specification in Conectiv's Technical Guidelines. A manual disconnect device is required for larger systems.

Electric distribution companies are not allowed to impose special fees on net energy metering customers, such as backup charges, additional controls, or liability insurance, as long as the generation facility meets the interconnection standards and all relevant safety and power quality standards.

DEC Non-Technical Requirements
DEC customers with systems greater than 25 kW are required to provide proof of insurance including a minimum of $1,000,000 liability insurance per occurrence, as well as $1,000,000 in property loss insurance. Higher amounts of coverage may be required at the discretion of the Cooperative.

Energy Alternatives Rebate
The Deleware Energy Alternatives Program was established as part of the Electric Utility Restructuring Act of March 1999 (26 Del. C. § 1014(d) (1999 HB10)). The purpose of the program is to introduce renewable energy technologies into the Delaware market by reducing the net system costs through the use of rebates. As part of the Delaware public benefits program, $1.5 million is available annually for efficiency and renewable programs. Funds for the public benefit programs are collected from Conectiv’s customers; no environmental or low-income public purpose funds are being collected from Delaware Electric Cooperative (DEC).

Energy alternatives rebates are available for wind turbine systems located within the Delmarva Power and Light Company service territory. The program is available to Conectiv Power Delivery residential and non-residential customers who purchase and install a qualifying wind system within the Delaware Power & Light Service Territory. Applications will be accepted for wind turbines that do not exceed $5 per installed watt. In addition, the expected annual system output for qualifying systems must not exceed the annual historic or current electric needs of the purchaser at the installation site.

Rebate reservation request forms and interconnection requirements and forms are available at the following web site:
www.greenplainsenergy.com/Incentive/delaware/greenenergy.asp

A wind specific “Frequently Asked Questions” flyer is available at the same site and provides helpful information on how to qualify for the program rebates.

Other Relevant Information
The maximum rebate amount is 50% of installation costs (an increase from 35% as a result of Senate Bill 145 [SB 145] signed on June 30, 2003) for photovoltaic, solar water heating, and wind turbine systems. Some per-project maximum allowance may apply to wind turbine installations:

• Nonresidential wind turbine - $250,000 maximum rebate
• Residential wind turbine - $5,000 maximum rebate

To ensure that rebates are provided to both residential and nonresidential applicants, 40% of rebate funding is available for residential customers and 60% of funding is available for nonresidential customers.

Contact the State Energy Office for questions or to gather further details on systems that qualify for rebates under this program.

Charlie Smisson
Department of Administrative Services
Division of Facilities Management
149 Transportation Circle
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-5644
Fax: (302) 739-6146
csmisson@state.de.us

Sandra Burton
Green Plains Energy, Inc.
211 Harmony Street
P.O. Box 282
New Castle, DE 19720
Phone: (302) 325-0240
Fax: (302) 358-8609
sburton@greenplainsenergy.com
www.greenplainsenergy.com

Rebates available for Connectiv customers are described above.

The City of Newark is drafting documents for net metering, interconnection and efficiency programs for future operations.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has recently validated a new wind map for Delaware. The older map for Delaware can be found here. You may also find the definitions of Wind Power Classes for the maps helpful. There is additional information in the Wind Energy Atlas of the United States, where you can review maps for other locations in the US or get more information about how the maps were created.

You may also find useful information at the web site for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This site contains extensive information about wind resources in the United States. 

An electronic copy of the U.S. Department of Energy's 23-page Consumer’s Guide to Small Wind Electric Systems is available at the Wind Powering America web site. A state-specific Consumer’s Guide is available for Delaware, Small Wind Electric Systems: A Delaware Consumer's Guide.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy. Another item of interest is the Interstate Renewable Energy Council’s strong web site on wind energy projects and wind energy events/news occurring through out the country.

Conectiv Power Delivery
500 N. Wakefield Dr.
PO Box 6066
Newark, DE 19714-6066

Delaware, Maryland and Virginia:
Customer Care: 1-800-375-7117

New Jersey:
Customer Care: 1-800-642-3780

http://www.conectiv.com
Email: http://www.conectiv.com/civ/contact_us/contact_help.cfm

Delaware Electric Cooperative
Box 600
14198 Sussex Highway
Greenwood, DE 19950
1-800-282-8595
http://www.delelect.com/

Government Contacts

Charlie Smisson
Department of Administrative Services
Division of Facilities Management
149 Transportation Circle
Dover, DE 19901
Phone: (302) 739-5644
Fax: (302) 739-6146
csmisson@state.de.us
www2.state.de.us/publicadvocate/dpa/html/self_gen.asp

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