Investing in a Wind Turbine
Before investing in a wind turbine or connecting it to the power grid, you should meet with the appropriate cooperative representatives to gain an understanding of the expectations for both the cooperative and member-consumer.
Your Touchstone Energy cooperative will work with you to establish a written agreement, which will address those expectations as well as each party's responsibilities. The agreement will also cover the terms and conditions of the interconnection, including such things as rates paid for the power you deliver to the grid, insurance and metering requirements.
Cooperative's Responsibilities:
Your Touchstone Energy Cooperative is your partner in providing you with safe, reliable electric service. We have requirements in place to address issues of safety, grid integrity and cost fairness. Those requirements are:
- protect the safety of member-consumers and cooperative employees
- maintain the integrity and reliability of the grid and
- ensure cost fairness.
Cooperatives must adhere to all applicable federal and state laws when working with a member-consumer to connect wind generators to the grid. A written agreement between the cooperative and the member-consumer typically is developed to ensure proper communication and protections are in place prior to connection of the facility to the grid. Consideration must also be given to established requirements for installation, maintenance, metering, switching and liability insurance.
Consumer-member's Responsibilities:
The general requirements for a member-consumer to install and interconnect wind generation include paying for any interconnection devices that are necessary to protect the safety of the cooperative representatives and to maintain the integrity of the delivery system. The member-consumer is also expected to carry liability insurance. Individuals must pay for the necessary metering equipment used to measure kilowatt0hurs (kWhs) delivered back to the grid by the member consumer.
