As a major win for solar and testament to the impact of DOE SunShot funded research at the national labs, this past month Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced the adoption of new “fast track” rules to make the interconnection process dramatically cheaper and faster for small wholesale energy projects, representing a major improvement with nationwide impacts.

The commission’s decision marks the end of a year-long effort led by SunShot, in cooperation with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Sandia National Laboratories, to actively engage with organizations like—FERC, National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, American Public Power Association, Edison Electric, Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and Interstate Renewable Energy Council—to achieve a new rule for the Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP) rule that allows solar installations, particularly at high penetration levels, and allow applicants to be qualified via a much quicker, fast track process.

Three major changes in the eligibility requirements for the fast track process include—a cheaper $300 pre-application cost and feasibility report, an increase in the minimum project size (2-megawatt (MW) to 5-MW), and change from the 50% minimum load rule to 100%—effectively doubling the size of projects that are eligible. Of note, all of these changes were previously adopted by California as part of its interconnection reform process in 2011 and 2012.

The findings in SunShot funded NREL and Sandia studies were instrumental in helping SEIA. In fact, a white paper authored by the SunShot team was used by SEIA as the main resource in early 2012 to initiate the FERC’s petition to request the modification.

Positive Impact

As a major win for solar and testament to the impact of Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative funded research at the national labs, this past month Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced the adoption of new “fast track” rules to make the interconnection process dramatically cheaper and faster for small wholesale energy projects, representing a major improvement with nationwide impacts.

Partners

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Sandia National Laboratories

Clean Energy Sector

Renewable electricity generation

The Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) focuses on achieving the goals of the SunShot Initiative, which seeks to make solar energy cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by the end of the decade.

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) success stories highlight the positive impact of its work with businesses, industry partners, universities, research labs, and other entities.