Resource Library

This interconnection process checklist from San Diego Gas & Electric, available online, contains a detailed (10) step description of the inspection process and items that will be checked. Click File 1 below to see a snapshot of the webpage with the link highlighted, click File 2 to download the checklist form itself.

This process checklist describes the turnaround time for SDGE interconnection inspections, within 1 week of request.

ComEd splits applications for interconnection to their distribution grid into four levels (with breakpoints at 10kW, 2MW, and 10MW). Most residential systems will qualify for Level 1, an expedited online process with a low interconnection fee of $50. Click the first hyperlink to see the Level 1 application form, and visit the second hyperlink to see the qualifying conditions for level 1 review and associated procedures (extracted from the IL Public Utilities Code on interconnection). You can also visit the URL in the Source section below to find more explanations of the levels and process on ComEd's website.

This resource addresses community solar program issues such as system size, interconnection, eligibility for participation, allocation of the benefits flowing from participation, net metering of system production, and other essential features of a community renewables program. This document is intended to provide stakeholders with program rules they can tailor to the individual circumstances and policy preferences of their state without having to reinvent the wheel at each turn.

Comparison of dispute resolution standards around interconnection

To help electric co-ops address the legal, economic and technical issues raised by consumer-owned generation, NRECA and CFC have created this DG toolkit. These materials provide models and guidance that each co-op can adapt to its unique needs after consultation with management, legal counsel and system engineers. With this toolkit, each co-op should be able to draft the rules, policies, tariffs, contract documents and retail rates required to respond to member requests for interconnection. PDFs can be found at the link below.

The Electricity Storage Handbook is a how-to guide for utility and rural cooperative engineers, planners,and decision makers to plan and implement energy storage projects. The Handbook also serves as an information resource for investors and venture capitalists, providing the latest developments in technologies and tools to guide their evaluations of energy storage opportunities.It includes a comprehensive database of the cost of current storage systems in a wide variety of electric utility and customer services, along with interconnection schematics. A list of significant past and present energy storage projects is provided for a practical perspective.

This initiative for California utilities and stakeholders began in 2013 to examine issues with connecting energy storage facilities to the ISO controlled grid under the existing rules, as well as to develop new policies as needed to clarify and facilitate interconnection of energy storage. The attached stakeholder presentation details updates in energy storage interconnection issues, as well as the initiative's approach.

This issue paper from CAISO's Energy Storage interconnection Initiative explains how the unique characteristics of energy storage—its ability to behave as either a generator or load (or negative generator), and quickly switch between these two modes—may not align well with the CAISO’s existing interconnection process, which was designed to accommodate requests to connect traditional generators. The purposes of this initiative are to identify where the current rules either do not sufficiently address or conflict with the needs of storage projects, and propose solutions to address those needs.

EPA recommendations for designing interconnection Standards using existing federal policies such as IEEE1547 Standards..

An excerpt from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council's 2009 Model interconnection Procedures, that provides guidance on requirements for external disconnect switches (Page 15).

FERC has created UL1741 and IEEE1547 standards for small generator interconnection. The attached screenshots from the DSIRE site describe the FERC interconnection standards and how Colorado has adopted these standards into their state interconnection standards.

This is the FERC interconnection package for inverter based systems under 10kW. This (10) page document contains a (2) page process checklist, (3) page application form, (2) page certificate of completion, and (3) page terms and conditions.

This is the FERC Standard interconnection Agreement for wind energy and other alternative technologies that respond differently to grid disturbances and may have different effects on the grid than large, synchronous generators.

FERC Order 792 amends the pro forma Small Generator interconnection Procedure and Agreement to specifically include energy storage devices, which establish the terms and conditions under which public utilities must provide interconnection service to small generating facilities of no more than 20 MW.

This is the FERC interconnection application package for inverter based systems under 10kW. This (8) page document contains a (3) page application form, (2) page certificate of completion, and (3) page terms and conditions.

This is the FERC interconnection process for inverter based systems under 10kW. It is a (9) point checklist.

The (10) technical screens used by the FERC Small Generator interconnection Procedures to determine if a system qualifies for fast track review. The goal of these technical screens is to determine which DG systems can be safely interconnected with negligible risk of negatively impacting grid function. Click File 1 below to download the technical screens.

This is a simplified (2) page interconnection application form for qualifying solar and wind systems under 10kW.

Northwest SEED produced this comprehensive guidebook to facilitate successful, cost-effective community wind development that provides measurable benefits for Oregon's environment and local economies. It contains information related to project design, siting, permitting, interconnection, and project financing that may be relevant to jurisdictions outside of Oregon as well.

Page 16-17 addresses IREC guidelines for handling disputes.

This is a case study from Santa Clara, CA - a city with a municipal electric utility. The City took steps to harmonize the review for PV systems under 10kW between the building department and the utility, to avoid time consuming and duplicate processes. Now permit review and interconnection review occur through a single streamlined process, to the benefit of the City as well as solar installers.

This is a 3 page interconnection application form for UL1741 certified inverter-based generating facilities under 10kW. It is taken from HECO Rule 14. There is a more comprehensive 6 page form for larger systems.

These online Locational Value Maps provided by HECO help when planning customer-sited generation by showing the percentage of existing DG on the utilities’ distribution circuits. There are two versions of each map - one shows the percentage of daytime minimum load, and the other shows percentage of peak demand. These maps help potential DG customers determine whether they are eligible for streamlined interconnection (for systems up to 10 kW, an interconnection study is not needed if total PV on the circuit is equal to or less than 120% of DML). The hyperlink below contains a snapshot of the DML map - visit the URL in the Source section below to find the maps on HECO's website.

This is a 1 page extract from HECO's Rule 14. It describes how their interconnection standards are consistent with IEEE1547. It also describes their process for reviewing future revisions to IEEE standards and updating their technical standards accordingly.