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CORE Electric Cooperative (IREA - Intermountain Rural Electric Association, Inc)

Colorado Utility Interconnection & net metering rules
Net Metering Allowed1
Supply Side Taps Allowed1
Line Taps Allowed1
Load Taps Allowed1
AC Disconnect RequiredYes

Net metering & export

Net Metering Allowed
1
Post Solar Billing Method
Net Metering
Net Excess Generation Notes

10 kW or Less: Net Metering


Over 10 kW - 25 kW: Qualifying Facility (Export Rate)

Rebates Offered
0
Allows Standby
0

Interconnection & taps

Approval Req To Install
Yes
Interconnection Level
3
Supply Side Taps Allowed
1
Line Taps Allowed
1
Load Taps Allowed
1
Automatic Transformer Upgrade Size
0

System size & offset

System Size Restrictions
0
System Size Restriction Type
No Restrictions
System Size Battery Included
0
System Size Includes Existing Systems
0
Offset Type
Percentage
Offset Value
120
Offset Calculation Basis
Historical
Offset Calculation Period
12
Industry Standard Watts Sqft
2
Offset Calc Tool
N/A

Metering & disconnect

Production Meter Required
Situational
Production Meter Criteria
  • Level 1 systems (10kW AC or below) do not require a production meter
  • Systems above 10kW AC require a production meter. Inv > AC Disco > top of PM > AC Disco > POI
  • If PM is required (above 10kw AC) an AC Disco is required BEFORE and AFTER the PM
  • PM must be within 5' of AC Disconnect (if applicable)
  • Production meter resembles XCEL Utility Meter (Steel Production Meter, 120/240V 3-Wire). Do not reference Xcel Energy Standard in PM's description.
  • MUST BE RINGLESS TYPE. MUST SHOW OR NOTE PV GENERATION WIRED TO LINE SIDE
  • Must show polarity for production meter. For projects without PM, wire may be sized to inverter requirements (no longer #6 min).
  • For projects with PM, wires-including ground-from inverter to POI to be minimum 6-AWG THWN-2.
  • Unless the MSP is a pedestal, the production meter and the AC disconnect need to be located within 5' of each other and as close to the interior point of interconnection as possible.
Production Meter Position
Inv-Disco-PM-POI
Production Meter Labeling
Production Meter
AC Disconnect Required
Yes
AC Disconnect Labeling
Visible Lockable Labeled Disconnect
Meter Spot Required
1
Meter Spot Process

Online Request Link: https://core.coop/outage-center/temporary-service-interruptions/


Temporary outages are provided free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis during regular business hours Monday through Thursday, excluding holidays.


Temporary Service Interruption Request Form

Requester Name(Required)

First

Last

Requester Email Address(Required)

Requester Phone Number(Required)

Company(Required)

Permit Number (if applicable)

Service Address(Required)

Street Address

Address Line 2

Service Address

City

State

ZIP Code

Field Contact Name

Field Contact Phone Number

Scope of Work(Required)




Allowed Meter Adapter
None

Plans & docs

Site Plan Reqs

ALL JOBS:

  • Add note: LOCKABLE DISCONNECT, READILY ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES TO THE ASSOCIATION’S PERSONNEL, MUST BE WITHIN 5’ OF THE METER.
  • We do not need to build H frames for pedestal meters/MSPs.
  • Call out fencing on Site Plan. IREA does not allow fencing to separate the utility meter, production meter and AC disconnect. Per CORE standards, all PV equipment must be in FRONT of fencing.
  • The utility meter and production meter (if applicable) must be shown on the Site Plan.
  • If the main utility meter is on a pole/pedestal, CORE requires that both the AC disco and the production meter need to be on the front 25% of the home, ahead of fencing.
  • POI (e.g. Load Side Tap Box) needs to be shown on the Site Plan.
  • AC disconnect must be on the exterior of the house.
  • For properties with meter pedestals, the production meter (if applicable) and the AC disconnect need to be located within 5’, reachable from each other, and near the POI (while still being outside).
  • If Site Plan shows that the AC disco is more than 5' from POI and meter (if applicable), add a note explaining why (e.g. doors, windows, window wells hindering).
  • If AHJ requires that disconnects be grouped together, the main disconnect of the inside panel must be grouped with the solar AC disconnect. IREA requires an outside AC disconnect accessible to IREA personnel. So you will need 2 disconnects: one inside, one outside.
  • Show driveway on site plan, if applicable


Batteries

  • Show battery location on Site Plan.
  • Batteries do not require a production meter
SLD Reqs

ALL JOBS:

  • IN THE CASES WHERE THE MAIN UTILITY METER IS ON A POLE/PEDESTAL THE AC DISCONNECT AND THE PRODUCTION METER (if applicable) NEED TO BE ON THE FRONT 25% OF THE HOME AHEAD OF FENCING

Taps:

  • When Tapping: Inv > Fused AC > top of PM > POI (PM not required if 10kW or below)
  • If the utility meter is separate from the main service panel housing, please indicate on the ELD. Copy of ELD must be submitted with the application.

Batteries

  • Tesla Powerwall must have an external AC Disco.
  • Fill out the Battery Application (partial OK).

Existing Systems

  • All solar production must be routed through production meter
Electric Service Reqs

Residential restriction caps at 10kW AC Commercial restriction caps at 25kW AC System Offset (Based on 12 months of historical usage) 120% For a customer without 12 months usage, 3kWh/ft² is the standard for predicted usage per Michelle

Install Reqs

Production Meter - Each interconnecting facility shall require a production meter. This meter will be supplied by IREA. IREA does not allow any disconnecting means between the point of interconnection and the production meter. Taps - For supply-side taps, a fused AC disconnect is needed between the production meter and the inverter/collection panel. Fencing - IREA does not allow fencing to separate the MSP, production meter and AC Disconnect. Access - Lockable disconnect, readily accessible at all times to the Association’s personnel, must be within 5’ of the meter.


1.Prepare the site and system so that it is safe and accessible.

  • a. If system has a production meter , CORE will require a plastic shield installed as to prevent someone from touching a hot socket.

2. Engage the system so that everything is on except the AC disconnect.

  • a. CORE personnel will ONLY close the AC disconnect to energize the system.
  • b. CORE will expect the load side of the production meter (if applicable) to be energized. There must be a plastic shield in the production meter housing preventing accidental shock.
  • c. CORE will not reset any circuit breakers feeding the interconnection.

3. Ensure all site placards are properly installed and on all required devices.


For projects with battery, the utility will fail inspection if it wasn't "charged" during utility inspection

Electrical Stamp Required
0
Meter Num Req SLD 3LD
0
ESID Num Req SLD 3LD
0
Site Plan Notes

All Jobs [LOCKABLE DISCONNECT, READILY ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES TO THE ASSOCIATION’S PERSONNEL, MUST BE WITHIN 5’ OF THE METER]

Electrical Diagram Notes

Relay Meter Orientation = Over/Under

All Jobs [LOCKABLE DISCONNECT, READILY ACCESSIBLE AT ALL TIMES TO THE ASSOCIATION’S PERSONNEL, MUST BE WITHIN 5’ OF THE METER]

Rate Schedule Link
link
Website
link
Phone
(303) 688-3100, Ext. 5302; (800) 332-9540

Other details

Restrict Inspection
0
Revision Required
1
Mod Swap Requires Planset
1
Address ID
110449
Express Planset Eligible
No
Compiled from public records, 2026. Tariffs and interconnection rules change; verify with CORE Electric Cooperative (IREA - Intermountain Rural Electric Association, Inc) before you rely on this. The useful move: if an installer says you need a main panel upgrade, ask how these tap and interconnection policies were considered first.