November 2010 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter
WHAT’S NEW AS OF NOVEMBER 2010? Note from the Editor Wading the Murky Waters of FERC SGIP Jurisdiction As promised last month, we continue our trek through the murky waters of federal energy policy with a look at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP) which essentially provides a rulebook for interconnections…
WHAT’S NEW AS OF NOVEMBER 2010?
Note from the Editor
Wading the Murky Waters of FERC SGIP Jurisdiction
As promised last month, we continue our trek through the murky waters of federal energy policy with a look at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP) which essentially provides a rulebook for interconnections that fall under federal jurisdiction. FERC initiated the rulemaking process with the hope of minimizing the differences between federal and state jurisdiction over interconnection and to promote consistent, nationwide interconnection rules. Thus, in May 2005, FERC begot Order 2006-A which defined small generator interconnection standards for distributed systems up to 20 megawatts. This order was then refined in 2006 with Order 2006-B.
The SGIP provides three alternative processes with eligibility defined by system capacity (breakpoints at 10 kW, 2 MW and 20 MW) and fast track technical screens (or criteria) , called the Inverter Process, Fast Track Process and Study Process, respectively. Order 2006 also created the SGIA (Agreement) or standard contract for interconnection which spells out who pays for improvements to the utility’s electric system (if needed). FERC noted that its SGIP should serve as a useful model for state-level standards but only about 15 states base their technical screens directly off of the SGIP. [Continued in Newsletter]
State News in Detail
Northeast States
New York’s Long Island Power Authority issues proposed net metering rules
Massachusetts clarifies net metering law for government agencies
Vermont PSB interprets meaning of 250 kW size limit
Mid-Atlantic States
Maryland PSC decides on fate of net metering
Midwestern States
Richmond, Indiana to decide on net metering ordinance
Michigan reports sharp rise in net metering customers
Southern States
Tennessee Valley Authority announces standard offer for mid-sized renewables
Western States
New Mexico to decide on net metering rollover
Oregon offers large generator interconnection rules
Wyoming utility petitions for net metering rate change
Other States
Hawaii issues Feed-in Tariff Order
IREC News
Catch up on all the IREC presentations from our Annual Meeting last month
Miscellaneous News
FERC clarifies Feed-in Tariff options for states
IEEE begins work on energy storage guidelines
NREL study finds solar homes sell faster
IRS addresses tax treatment of REC purchases from homeowners
Upcoming Events
Download the full newsletter as a PDF: November 2010 Connecting to the Grid
FORMAT
While customer-sited net metering and interconnection policies are primarily addressed at the state level, they are also becoming important on a regional basis. This newsletter has been designed to provide state-level policy updates and capture emerging regional trends. Connecting to the Grid is a free, electronic newsletter published each month by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, Inc. (IREC) and the North Carolina Solar Center at North Carolina State University. Click here to subscribe.
Editor: Laurel Varnado
NC Solar Center, NC State University
