Customer Interconnection and Rates Information
Customer generation – or distributed generation – systems are small-scale, on-site power sources located at customers’ homes or businesses. For questions related to distributed generation, please email privategeneration@midamerican.com.
Iowa Applications and Rate Information
In Iowa, MidAmerican offers an Inflow/Outflow Rate and Rate QF.
Inflow/Outflow Rate
You pay the kWh retail volumetric rate (including riders) for all MidAmerican power delivered to your home during each 15-minute period of the billing period (inflow). MidAmerican credits you the kWh retail volumetric rate (including riders) for all net power delivered to the grid during each 15-minute period of the billing period (outflow). The energy outflow is credited at the kWh retail volumetric rate and will carry over to future billing periods, if you contribute more energy to the grid than you used. These excess credits expire based on the annual billing year (January or April) you select.
To choose when you'd like your annual billing year to reset, complete the Rate IO election form.
Solar panels take in sunlight and convert it to energy. Excess energy is put on the grid (outflow).
If energy generated at location is not sufficient, energy is consumed from the grid/MidAmerican (inflow).
Outflow (energy put on the grid) and inflow (energy consumed from MidAmerican) are recorded separately.
Both inflow and outflow are then billed and credited accordingly on a real-time basis (15-minute increments).
Outflow is credited and will carry over to future billing periods (if you contribute more energy than you use).
Rate QF – Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities
MidAmerican offers a cogeneration and small power production rate for energy delivered to our electric distribution system from a FERC-approved qualifying facility.
As a customer, you and your installers are responsible for following the interconnection rules of the Iowa Utilities Commission, as well as meeting all MidAmerican requirements and those of your local city and/or county, as applicable.
Learn more about distributed generation in Iowa from the Iowa Utilities Commission and the Iowa Energy Office.
Illinois Applications and Rate Information
In Illinois, MidAmerican offers a Net Metering Rate and Rate QF.
Net Metering Rate
The customer's net metering rate will be determined as follows:
- Rate NM – customers that successfully completed an application for net metering service before January 1, 2025
- Rate NEM – customers that successfully complete(d) an application for net metering service on or after January 1, 2025
With net metering, energy delivered to MidAmerican at the metering location is subtracted from the energy consumed (kWh consumed minus kWh delivered). If a customer consumes more energy than they deliver, the resulting net kWh is billed to the customer at the same electric rate at which the customer normally purchases their energy from MidAmerican. If the customer delivers excess energy to MidAmerican's electric distribution system during the billing period, net metering provides the customer energy and/or delivery credits that can be stored in the customer's account for future use in subsequent billing periods. Under Rate NM, these excess credits expire based on the annual period (April or October) the customer selects in the Net Metering Application. Under Rate NEM, these credits do not expire, unless the customer terminates service.
Note: Electric customers installing a distributed generation facility and seeking net metering in Illinois must provide an Installer Certification Form, a Net Metering Application and a copy of the installation invoice.
Solar panels take in sunlight and convert it to energy.
Energy is produced for the customer to use.
Energy delivered to MidAmerican at the metering location is subtracted from the energy consumed and is evaluated on a monthly basis.
Rate NM – Excess energy produced by the customer is credited in the customer’s account via delivery and energy credits*, or the customer will be billed for over-consumption.
Rate NEM – Excess energy produced by the customer is credited in the customer’s account via energy credits*, or the customer will be billed for over-consumption.
*If the customer purchases their energy supply from an Alternative Retail Electric Supplier (ARES), the ARES will provide any applicable energy credits.
Rate QF – Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities
MidAmerican offers a cogeneration and small power production rate for energy delivered to our electric distribution system from a FERC-approved qualifying facility.
MidAmerican offers a cogeneration and small power production rate for energy delivered to our electric distribution system from a FERC-approved qualifying facility.
Learn more about distributed generation in Illinois from the Citizens Utility Board.
As a customer, you and your installers are responsible for following the interconnection rules of the Illinois Administrative Code Part 452, as well as meeting all MidAmerican requirements and those of your local city and/or county, as applicable.
South Dakota Applications and Rate Information
Rate QF – Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities
MidAmerican offers a cogeneration and small power production rate for energy delivered to our electric distribution system from a FERC-approved qualifying facility.
Learn more about distributed generation in South Dakota from the Public Utilities Commission.
As a customer, you and your installers are responsible for following the interconnection rules of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Administrative Rules Chapter 20:10:36, as well as meeting all MidAmerican requirements and those of your local city and/or county, as applicable.
For questions related to distributed generation, please contact privategeneration@midamerican.com.