State-Level Comparison of Processes and Timelines for Distributed Photovoltaic Interconnection in the United States

Ardani, Kristen; Davidson, Carolyn; Margolis, Robert; Nobler, Erin

doi:10.2172/1170354

Cited by 12 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Variable state and local U.S regulations may impact PV system equipment reuse applications and investment in secondary PV markets (Section 3). Most interconnection fire, building, and electric regulations in the United States vary by jurisdiction and may directly prohibit the reuse of PV modules and/or BOS equipment in certain secondary grid-tied and off-grid applications (CESA 2017;IEEE 2018;UL 2010;Lydic 2018;Ardani et al 2015;NFPA 2019;IBC 2012;Sherwood 2013;Solar ABCs 2011). 62 Variable regulations applicable to the reuse of PV system equipment may also make it difficult to determine viable secondary markets for PV system equipment, and the uncertainty may stifle consumer confidence in used or refurbished products and overall investment in the repair/reuse of PV system equipment.…”

Section: Repair/reusementioning

confidence: 99%

A Circular Economy for Solar Photovoltaic System Materials: Drivers, Barriers, Enablers, and U.S. Policy Considerations

Curtis¹,

Buchanan²,

Smith³

et al. 2021

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Section: Repair/reusementioning

confidence: 99%

A Circular Economy for Solar Photovoltaic System Materials: Drivers, Barriers, Enablers, and U.S. Policy Considerations

Curtis¹,

Buchanan²,

Smith³

et al. 2021

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“…Grid interconnection entails various compliance procedures and permits. The full interconnection process takes about 50 days for U.S. residential PV systems, but it varies significantly across states and local jurisdictions (Ardani et al 2015). Differences in local interconnection and other permitting requirements can significantly affect installation times and costs (Dong and Wiser 2013;Burkhardt et al 2015).…”

Section: Interconnection Burdenmentioning

confidence: 99%

State and Local Policy Impacts on the Residential Solar PV Installation Industry

O’Shaughnessy

2019

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“…The interconnection process often poses a sizable cost burden for distributed solar projects due to potentially complex impact studies, long processing times, and lack of certainty regarding approval. Ardani et al (2015) found that project delays due to interconnection are more common for the midscale projects than for smaller distributed PV projects (250 kW and under), with detailed impact study commonly required for any project greater than 1 MW. Customers and developers can consider downsizing projects to avoid the detailed study process, which can place financing at risk or incur high costs.…”

Section: Implications For Prospective Midmarket Customersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States: A Guide for Midsized Solar Customers

Tian¹,

Liu²,

O’Shaughnessy³

et al. 2016

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The midscale market for solar photovoltaics (PV) has not experienced the same high growth rate as residential-or utility-scale market segments in the past five years when solar PV deployment increased rapidly. Midscale solar can be defined as behind-the-meter solar PV between 50 kilowatts and 2 megawatts adopted by multi-housing residential, commercial, industrial, non-profit, and other entities. A number of challenges face the midscale segment, including difficulties in contracting, mismatch between tenant lease and PV financing terms, high transaction costs relative to project sizes, and inefficiencies in matching prospective projects with capital. The changing policy landscape across U.S. states provides both opportunities and challenges to midmarket solar. Some states, such as California, are expanding system capacity limits for policies such as net metering, thus enabling a wider range of customers to benefit from excess generation. A number of states and utilities are making changes to rate design to introduce new or higher user fees for solar customers or reduced tariffs for net metering, which decrease the value of solar generation. An understanding of these policies relative to project feasibility and economics is important for prospective customers to make informed decisions to adopt solar PV. This guide complements existing solar policy resources to help potential customers navigate through the policy landscape in order to make informed decisions for their solar investment. The first part of this guide introduces the key solar policies necessary for policy-based decision-making, which involves using knowledge of a solar policy to improve project economics and efficiency. Policies that could result in policy-based decisions include interconnection standards, net metering, user fees, incentives, and third-party ownership policies. The goal of this section is to equip prospective customers and project developers with the tools necessary to understand and use solar policies in a dynamic policy environment. The second part of this guide provides a complete, state-by-state inventory of midmarket solar policies for potential customers and developers to use as reference when making policy-based decisions. Although solar policies are dynamic, the profiles provide a framework for assessing policies to build the parameters that could be used to determine feasibility and structure of a solar PV system for midmarket customers and developers. vi This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications.

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State-Level Comparison of Processes and Timelines for Distributed Photovoltaic Interconnection in the United States

Abstract: NREL prints on paper that contains recycled content.

Cited by 12 publications

References 3 publications

A Circular Economy for Solar Photovoltaic System Materials: Drivers, Barriers, Enablers, and U.S. Policy Considerations

A Circular Economy for Solar Photovoltaic System Materials: Drivers, Barriers, Enablers, and U.S. Policy Considerations

State and Local Policy Impacts on the Residential Solar PV Installation Industry

Midmarket Solar Policies in the United States: A Guide for Midsized Solar Customers

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