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…
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.
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