On May 24th, Minnesota made new strides for clean energy and became the third state in the Midwest in the last three years to adopt wholesale reforms to their state interconnection procedures – creating a more transparent and effective interconnection process for customers. The updated rules are the result of more than two years of work at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC), by IREC, in partnership with Fresh Energy and the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC).
SGIP 
Minnesota Overhauls Interconnection Standards to Streamline Clean Energy (Some Decisions Deferred)
Minnesota: Detailed Interconnection Proposal Now In Hand
Last month, IREC joined Fresh Energy and the Environmental Law & Policy Center to file a joint motion with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which includes a proposal that would help the state implement interconnection changes based on a compilation of best practices and lessons learned from other states.
Moving Forward: regulatory trends shaping a clean energy nation
Along with the season’s time-honored traditions, comes time to pause and reflect on the past year and year to come. Here’s a closer look at what we can expect to play out in the national regulatory arena next year. It’s definitely shaping up to be an energetic year.
Report: Trends Shaping our Clean Energy Future Released by IREC
The release of Trends Shaping our Clean Energy Future, an annual report by IREC, presents information and an independent perspective on the year’s renewable energy and energy efficiency progress and challenges across the U.S., and the activities, research, publications, expert insight and recommendations that are helping shape our clean energy future.
Tagged with: best practices, clean energy future, code officials, FERC, interconnection, regulatory, SGIP, SITN, workforce development
Improved Interconnection Procedures – Coming soon to a state near you?
They say history repeats itself. This rang true last month when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) updated the federal interconnection standards. Essentially, the new rules provide a more nuanced approach to interconnection, enabling faster, more efficient review to keep up with a growing, evolving and ever-more complex market.
FERC Announces Rule Changes to Facilitate More Efficient Interconnections for Small Renewable Energy Systems
In a far-reaching decision on November 21, 2013, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) adopted significant modifications to the agency’s Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP), which should facilitate a more efficient interconnection process for small renewable generators. IREC worked in both California and Hawaii on the development of this improved process and believes it will help maintain the efficiency of the interconnection process across the country.
WA Revised Interconnection Procedures Pave the Way for Third-Party Ownership of Net-Metered Systems
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission issued a final order July 18 approving significant revisions to the state’s interconnection rules. The order reflects many of IREC’s recommendations throughout this effort, which began in 2011 with a call for public comment…
Solar has Farm Teams Too!
It’s Opening Day week across the land as the Boys of Summer take the field. While it will be wonderful to see the lights back on at Fenway, I enjoy watching Spring Training and the new guys joining the team.…
The FERC SGIP: Time for a Tune Up
The average size of distributed photovoltaic systems is on the rise. In fact, the average size of all PV systems installed in 2011 grew by 64% over 2010. In addition to larger system sizes, penetration of solar on the grid is increasing in…
