Xcel told one customer they would need to wait 15 years to connect their solar system to its electric grid. The utility says it’s working to improve its process, but some in the industry say legislation or an investigation is needed to fix the problems.
The number of Minnesota solar projects stalled due to delays by Xcel Energy has ballooned to more than 300, with a backlog of applications that solar industry leaders say will take decades to clear at the utility’s current pace.
In one case in central Minnesota, Xcel told a customer they would have to wait 15 years for the company to review their application to connect a 9.5-kilowatt rooftop system to the utility’s distribution grid.
