Interconnection Standards for Solar
Surety Bond Professionals is a family owned and operated bonding agency with over 30 years of experience. With access to a broad range of surety markets, our expert agents are ready to assist with all of your solar bond needs. What Is Interconnection? Interconnection is the process by which solar energy systems are connected to the electric grid. Standards that vary by state govern the interconnection process. Interconnection permits, however, are issued at the local level, for example by municipal building departments. Why Do Interconnection Standards Exist? Standards help ensure transparency, consistency, and ultimately safety. While interconnection standards are established at the state level, many states are emulating the standards developed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for projects up to 20 megawatts. These FERC standards are called Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP). Many states have also patterned engineering and safety requirements for interconnection after the IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 standards. Different standards may apply depending on whether or not the solar system is net metered, its capacity requirements, whether it’s a commercial or residential system, and so on. What Does the Interconnection Process Involve? The interconnection process involves 3 steps: application, installation, approval. It’s during the...
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