Sample Utility (Muni/Co-op) Solar Roadmap

Initial Status: Standard interconnection application form used.

Guidance: Utility currently at market best practice! Consider amending standard application form to differentiate separate interconnection tracks for small and large systems, per I3.

Initial Status: Interconnection procedure does not offer a streamlined option for small generators (<10 kW).

Guidance: Establish an interconnection process that follows (or is more streamlined than) the process outlined in the FERC Small Generator Interconnection Procedure for certified inverter-based facilities <10 kW.

Initial Status: All solar PV systems are required to go through the same procedure despite system size.

Guidance: Allow qualifying systems <10 kW to be processed following a separate, simplified fast track interconnection process using the standard application form.

Initial Status: All solar PV systems require detailed engineering review despite system size.

Guidance: Apply the FERC technical screens before conducting a detailed engineering review. Systems passing the screen would be eligible for a simplified, fast track interconnection procedure using the standard application form.

Initial Status: All solar PV systems require detailed engineering review despite system size.

Guidance: Consider using a screening process to separate and streamline systems according to location, complexity, or other interconnection metrics. Systems passing the screens are eligible for a simplified interconnection process. This will save utility engineering staff time. See sample screening criteria at right.

Initial Status: Standard interconnection application form is available online.

Guidance: Utility currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Interconnection application form can be submitted in person or emailed.

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice

Initial Status: Some info is available online, though not comprehensive. Utility would like to improve website.

Guidance: Provide information describing the interconnection process online in an easily accessible location. Include information about both the application and inspection processes, including submittal requirements, approval requirements, fees, and point of contact. The ASTI team can help aggregate and organize this information for inclusion on the utility website.

Initial Status: Some information is available on utility website, but not comprehensive

Guidance: Provide information describing the interconnection process online in an easily accessible location. Include approval requirements, submittal requirements, inspection information, and point of contact.

Initial Status: Applicant can check the status of an application via email or over the phone.

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice

Initial Status: 20 business days from receipt of application to notification of approval/denial.

Guidance: For standard residential systems under 10kW, provide an approval/denial or request for more information within 5 business days.

Guidance: Track interconnection turnaround time from receipt of application to notification of permission/denial.

Initial Status: A meter upgrade, when necessary, is provided by the utility.

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice. New meters are bi-directional with time-of-use capabilities, and allow two-way communications.

Initial Status: Information describing the permit fee, including engineering study fees, is posted online.

Guidance: Utility currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: Interconnection fees are based on actual costs for all system sizes.

Guidance: Utility currently at market best practice for systems over 10kW. For inverter based systems under 10kW satisfying the technical screens per I4, consider capping the fee at $100.

Initial Status: Information describing the inspection process and requirements is posted online.

Guidance: Utility currently at market best practice!

Initial Status: 5 business days from time of inspection request to approval/denial notification.

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice

Initial Status: Appointment window is 1 business day.

Guidance: Provide a 2 hour appointment window or specify AM/PM, assuming contractor needs to be onsite. Provide update at least 1 hour prior to arrival so contractor is aware and prepared.

Guidance: A single inspection is conducted which covers both the building permit and permission to interconnect. If installer not required to be on site for more than one inspection, no action necessary.

Initial Status: All customer sited generators qualify for interconnection, regardless of technology type

Guidance: Utility currently at market best practice

Initial Status: No restrictions on system size

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice

Initial Status: Disconnect switch is required for all systems.

Guidance: Consider waiving the requirement for redundant external disconnect switches for qualifying inverter-based systems under 10kW using UL listed equipment. Or, have utility bear the cost of this extra disconnect.

Initial Status: UL1741 and IEEE1547 standards are used for certification

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice

Initial Status: No formal policy in place

Guidance: Consider having a defined process for reviewing interconnection requests within spot and area networks, provided the generating facility is inverter-based and uses non-exporting protective schemes.

Initial Status: $100k in liability insurance required for systems under 10kW, $300k up to 500kW, and $2M for larger

Guidance: Waive insurance requirement for qualifying inverter-based systems under 10kW designed to offset on site usage. For other systems, insurance requirements should not be more than a typical customer would carry.

Guidance: A simple, low cost dispute resolution process is in place.

Initial Status: A net metering program is currently in place

Guidance: Utility meets best practice

Initial Status: No alternative methods currently in place, though Board is considering a value-of-solar tariff

Guidance: VOS under investigation. Find case studies of other successful programs in the link at right; the ASTI team can also provide guidance in exploring a VOS program.

Initial Status: No hard cap in place, system size limit is based on annual usage

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice

Initial Status: Cumulative net metering capacity limit is set at 1MW or 100 total systems, whichever is first

Guidance: Consider raising the cumulative capacity of DG systems to 5% of peak demand

Initial Status: Annual true-up with excess paid at the wholesale rate

Guidance: Consider allowing customers to choose indefinite rollover of excess generation as an alternative to annual true-up.

Initial Status: No additional requirements or fees for net metering customers

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice. To provide DG customers more assurance in their investment, consider adding safe harbor language protecting existing DG customers from unspecified additional equipment, fees, or other requirements in the future.

Initial Status: RECs are retained by the customer, unless sold to utility via the incentive program

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice

Initial Status: All customer types are eligible for program, and 3rd party owned systems are also eligible.

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice

Initial Status: No policy is in place currently, though the issue has been discussed

Guidance: Allow all meters on a contiguous property to be aggregated for customers looking to net meter against their total electricity consumption, or consider this total amount when setting system size limits for VOS or FiT programs.

Initial Status: Clear monthly statements are provided to DG customers

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice. Monthly billing statements clearly describe customer consumption and generation, including cumulative annual totals.

Initial Status: Legality of third-party owned systems is unclear

Guidance: Support efforts to ensure state-level utility regulations do not restrict these finance mechanisms.

Initial Status: Utility offers a loan program with on-bill repayment for energy efficiency and solar energy projects

Guidance: Utility currently at market best practice. If further programs are desired, explore the establishment of a solar roof leasing program for commercial customers in your service territory.

Initial Status: No on-bill payment program offered currently

Guidance: Explore providing on-bill repayment options for utility customers who want to install solar. Utility can serve as the loan originator or as a simple pass-through collection agency.

Initial Status: Community Solar Program not currently offered.

Guidance: Explore establishing a Community Solar Program for customers in your service territory based on lessons learned and successful case studies from across the country.

Initial Status: Minimal awareness among customers currently. Utility has expressed interest in outreach.

Guidance: Publicize the availability of local solar finance options and solar evaluation tools for potential buyers. This can be done via webinars, marketing materials, or by providing links and information online. Click the 'Take Action' button for a sample of relevant resources.

Initial Status: Limited solar energy information available currently

Guidance: Enhance the existing solar webpage for customers and installers to provide comprehensive information and additional tools to improve awareness and understanding of utility's support of solar.

Initial Status: Utility has explored using undeveloped utility-owned sites as hosts for RE generation

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice

Initial Status: Some awareness within industry currently

Guidance: Provide online access to regional and statewide solar standards and best practices as a resource to the installer community. Consider organizing an outreach and/or training event in order to generate awareness and understanding.

Initial Status: No mapping tool currently in use

Guidance: Develop a solar map on the utility website showing installed solar systems. Include details on system sizes, locations, and total capacity.

Initial Status: Utility includes efficiency and renewable development in their long term resource planning.

Guidance: Utility currently at best practice