Utility Interconnection Requirements

Note: This report, and the related explanatory text below, were originally published in 2016. It is provided here as a reference document that may provide helpful historical context on how this issue was considered at that time. Please be aware that it may not be reflective of current best practices in this area. Furthermore, the contents of this report are specifically focused on interconnection in California and are not necessarily applicable to other states, and the report focuses on equipment considerations related to interconnection; it is not intended to address policy considerations related to interconnection procedures/rules.

This series of SEAC recommendations addresses utility interconnection requirements for rooftop solar energy systems on one- and two-family dwellings.

It addresses four related issues:

Issue 1: Practices to improve the utility meter location (aka meter spot) process for existing one- and two-family dwelling rooftop solar energy systems

This document aims to facilitate utility meter location (aka meter spots) for existing one- and two-family dwelling rooftop solar energy systems in a timely manner while ensuring the safety and reliability of the electric grid. It highlights delays experienced by the industry in the meter spot process, provides examples of some of the causes of these delays, and lays out several recommendations to improve the process.

Issue 2: Methods to improve main service panel upgrade requirements for one- and two-family dwelling rooftop solar energy systems

The recommendations in this document aim to reduce or eliminate the time it requires to perform a main service panel upgrade for one- and two-family dwelling solar PV installations, a common cause of delay in solar PV system deployment, while ensuring the safety and reliability of the electric grid. SEAC recommends several practices and processes to consider when main service panel upgrades are required.

Issue 3: Practices to improve rebate and interconnection processes for one- and two-family dwelling rooftop solar energy systems

These recommendations were developed to streamline the rebate and interconnection processes for rooftop solar energy systems while ensuring the safety and reliability of the electric grid. They address the fact that some utilities required that the PV Installation not begin until rebate applications were approved, which sometimes meant that delays in rebate applications delayed the interconnection of the system to the utility’s grid and vice versa. SEAC proposed recommendations to resolve this issue including the separation of rebate and interconnection approval processes, in light of changes in the market.

Issue 4: Methods to streamline interconnection practices and processes for one- and two-family dwelling rooftop solar energy systems

These recommendations seek to streamline interconnection practices and processes for one- and two-family dwelling rooftop solar energy systems while ensuring the safety and reliability of the electric grid. They highlight common causes of interconnection delays, and outline several recommendations to expedite the process.