September 2011 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter

WHAT’S NEW AS OF SEPTEMBER 2011?

Note from the Editor

Timelines are of the Essence

Forgive the cliché but it’s true.  Timelines are an important part of distributed generation interconnection procedures because they dictate how quickly the process moves along and ultimately, how quickly a customer or developer can get a renewable energy system up and running (and starting to pay for itself).   They also help the utility by requiring interconnection applicants to meet deadlines so that the utility’s time is not wasted.

Timelines are often specified for a number of processes within state interconnection procedures, such as evaluating technical screening criteria, executing an interconnection agreement and inspecting the facility. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (FERC SGIP) form the basis for many state interconnection procedures, so it’s not surprising that many states have adopted the FERC timelines.  In fact, the 2010 edition of Freeing the Grid indicates that 13 states plus the District of Columbia have adopted the FERC SGIP timelines and five states (ME, MA, NJ, NY and OR) have even shorter timelines.  While the FERC timelines provide a good starting point, they are somewhat dated, especially considering how the availability of online interconnection applications have made the process so much more efficient for everyone involved.

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State News in Detail

Northeast States

Massachusetts DPU working on a net metering and interconnection facelift

New York asks LIPA to remove the external disconnect requirement for small systems

Rhode Island passes net metering and interconnection laws

Mid-Atlantic States

Virginia utility seeking to lease rooftop space for solar

Midwestern States

Michigan PSC approves Experimen­tal Advanced Renewables Pro­gram

Ohio utility seeks solar RECs

Southern States

Georgia PSC receives great response for large scale solar bid

Mississippi continues along the path toward net metering and intercon­nection rules

Western States

California PUC adopts renewable auc­tion mechanism rules

Colorado municipality adopts net meter­ing

Other States

Hawaii PUC exploring on-bill financing option for solar

Upcoming Events

IREC News

Register now for the IREC annual meet­ing!

Miscellaneous News

FERC transmission line rule: Good news for solar projects                            

DOE announces SunShot recipients

NREL data shows clouds’ effects on solar power

Download the full newsletter as a PDF:  September 2011 Connecting to the Grid Newsletter

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

Laurel Passera

Laurel is a Senior Renewables Analyst for IREC attorneys Keyes, Fox & Wiedman, and engages in research and analysis of net metering and interconnection regulatory trends to support IREC’s outreach and communication efforts. In 2009, Laurel was a Southeast Regional Network fellow for the Southeast Environmental Leadership Program and currently sits on Raleigh City Council’s Environmental Advisory Board.