Sec. 20.50.09.08. Determination of Interconnection Jurisdiction and Level of Utility Review of Interconnection Request

A. A utility shall determine within 10 business days the interconnection jurisdiction pursuant to Regulation .01 of this chapter and the level of utility review required for an interconnection request based on nameplate capacity.

B. A utility shall use a Level 1 procedure to evaluate an interconnection request to connect an inverter-based small generator facility when the small generator facility, or multiple small generator facilities interconnecting at a point of common coupling, has a nameplate capacity of 20kW or less.

C. A utility shall use a Level 2 procedure to evaluate an interconnection request when:

(1) The following criteria are met:

(a) The small generation facility, or multiple small generator facilities interconnecting at a point of common coupling, has a nameplate capacity of 2 MW or less;

(b) The interconnection equipment is lab-certified or field-approved; and

(c) The proposed interconnection is to a radial distribution circuit, or a spot network limited to serving one customer; or

(2) Alternatively, the small generator facility was reviewed under Level 1 review procedures but not approved, and the applicant has submitted a new interconnection request for consideration.

D. A utility shall use a Level 3 procedure to evaluate an interconnection request to area networks and radial distribution circuits when electric power is not exported to the electric distribution system based on the following criteria:

(1) For interconnection requests to the load side of an area network:

(a) The nameplate capacity of the small generator facility, or multiple small generator facilities interconnecting at a point of common coupling, is less than or equal to 50 kW;

(b) The proposed small generator facility utilizes a lab-certified inverter-based equipment package;

(c) The small generator facility utilizes reverse power relays, other protection functions, or both, that prevent the export of power into the area network;

(d) The aggregate generation on the area network does not exceed the smaller of 5 percent of an area network's maximum load or 50 kW; and

(e) Construction of facilities by the electric distribution company is not required to accommodate the small generator facility; or

(2) For interconnection requests to a radial distribution circuit:

(a) The small generator facility has a nameplate capacity of 10 MW or less;

(b) The aggregate generation on the circuit, including the proposed small generator facility, is 10 MW or less;

(c) The small generator facility will use reverse power relays or other protection functions that prevent power flow onto the electric distribution system;

(d) The small generator facility is not served by a shared transformer; and

(e) Construction of facilities by the utility on its own electric distribution system is not required to accommodate the small generator facility.

E. A utility shall use the Level 4 procedures for evaluating interconnection requests if:

(1) The interconnection request cannot be approved under a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 review, and the applicant has submitted an interconnection request for consideration under a Level 4 study review; and

(2) The interconnection request does not meet the criteria for qualifying for a review under Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 review procedures.