Interconnection Standards

You can interconnect rooftop solar to Alabama Power's grid by submitting an application through PowerClerk and ensuring approval before installation; you'll need to comply with Southern Company's Interconnection Policy and Alabama Power's Technical Requirements Guidebook. You can apply a rate rider (RGB) to maintain grid backup power and may sell excess energy through Rate PAE (systems under 100kW) or Rate CPE (100kW and larger). Check local zoning rules and your homeowner's association before proceeding, and consider pairing solar with battery storage to address inconsistent sunlight.

Systems must comply with Southern Company's DER Interconnection Policy, Alabama Power's Technical Interconnection Requirements Guidebook, and the Alabama Power DER Interconnection Process; applications are submitted via PowerClerk and must be approved before installation begins. Customers interconnecting to the grid are subject to rate rider RGB for backup and maintenance power, and systems under 100kW can sell excess energy via Rate PAE while larger systems use Rate CPE. The scope of required system impact studies and any additional equipment studies are determined jointly with the utility and may involve extra review if energy storage is incorporated.

Alabama lacks statewide interconnection standards; Southern Company (Alabama Power's parent) maintains a DER parallel-operation policy without explicit system-size thresholds for review levels. System impact studies and optional interconnection equipment studies are determined jointly between the DER owner and utility; energy storage integration may trigger additional study requirements. Customers apply via PowerClerk and must comply with technical guidebooks; rate rider RGB applies to all interconnected generators, while excess-energy purchases are structured through Rate PAE (under 100kW) and Rate CPE (100kW+).