Minnesota Solar Installers Expect New Standard to Streamline Interconnection
As originally appeared in Energy News Network
by Frank Jossi
December 18, 2019
Minnesota recently became the first state in the nation to adopt a new national interconnection standard that could spur more clean energy projects.
Interconnection standards provide “rules of the road” processes and procedures that must be followed by solar, storage and other clean energy providers and utilities serving them. Updated standards allow for more clean energy, storage and the introduction of smart grid capabilities.
Minnesota chose to incorporate IEEE 1547-2018, an emerging national standard designed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Several organizations advocated for the standard, including the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
“This establishes modern, clear, and more efficient interconnection standards for distributed generation in Minnesota,” said Sky Stanfield, partner with Shute, Mihaly & Weinberger, attorneys for IREC. “It’s good for the grid and distributed generation in the state.”
Minnesota began the process of redesigning its decade-old interconnection standard in 2016 after regulators were petitioned by IREC, working in a partnership with the Environmental Law & Policy Center and Fresh Energy, publisher of Energy News Network.
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Image: Kate Costa, U.S. Department of Energy
