About Distributed Generation

Distributed generation (DG) is defined as generation that is connected to a utility’s distribution system.  It generally refers to small scale generation that is located near the point of end use.  Common DG system energy sources are solar, wind, landfill gas, diesel fueled engines, and natural gas fueled micro-turbines.

To qualify as a DG system, the interconnection voltage must be less than or equal to 60 kV or 60 kilovolts.  The interconnection requirements at United for DG systems differ based on their peak kW size and are broken down into two categories:

1. Below 50kW
2. 50kW – 10,000kW

Customers inquiring about distributed generation generally fall into four basic categories:

• Small power production facilities (solar, wind, waste or geothermal) which are usually classified as "qualifying facilities,"
• Generation for self-service of customer's own load through parallel operation with the utility and peak shaving of demand,
• Generation that is for exporting (landfill gas, large wind farms, etc.),
• Backup/Standby power which cannot be synchronized with the utility upon restoration from utility outages (closed transition).

Additional Resources

Capital Cost Recovery Analysis

Texas Wind Resource Map

The Public Utility Commission of Texas*

*While the PUCT rules are intended only for Investor-Owned utilities, United's Tariff and DG Guidelines follow very closely with the related Substantive Rules. However, there are a few minor differences. Therefore, all proposed DG installations will be measured against the United Tariff and DG Guidelines and not the PUCT rules and guidelines.

Technical Information on How Photovoltaic Cells Work (Energy Insight newsletter)

United Distributed Generation Contacts:

• Energy Smarts
• Touchstone Energy Savers
• Our Energy, Our Future
• HomeEnergyCalculator
• Energy Library