This rule establishes the procedures for evaluating an
interconnection request for a certified inverter-based interconnection resource
no larger than 25 kW AC which may be paired with a non-exporting energy storage
system no larger than 25 kW AC. The application process uses an all-in-one
document (application) that includes a simplified interconnection request,
simplified procedures, and a brief set of terms and conditions.
(a) General Level 1 procedures.
(I) The IC completes application and submits
it to the utility.
(II) The utility
acknowledges to the customer receipt of the application within three business
days of receipt.
(III) The utility
evaluates the application for completeness and notifies the customer within ten
business days of receipt that the application is or is not complete and, if
not, advises what material is missing.
(IV) Within ten business days, the utility
shall verify whether the interconnection resource can be interconnected safely
and reliability using the same screens as applied in Level 2 Process as set
forth in rule 3855 except for screens (V), (VI), (X) and (XI) which will not be
deemed necessary for the Level 1 Process (25 kW AC Inverter Process). If the
interconnection fails these screens, the utility shall generally consider this
a failure of the Level 2 Process screens in rule 3855. The utility shall
continue the interconnection review under the Level 2 Process, starting at
paragraph 3855(c), provided that the IC pays the difference in the Level 2
Process application fee and deposit requirements. The utility may also review
the application within the ten-business day period to evaluate issues
associated with highly seasonal circuits. However, if the proposed
interconnection fails the screens, but the utility determines that the small
generating facility may nevertheless be interconnected consistent with safety,
reliability, and power quality standards, the utility shall provide the IC an
executable interconnection agreement within five business days after the
determination.
(V) Provided all the
criteria of this rule 3854 are met, unless the utility determines and
demonstrates that the interconnection resource cannot be interconnected safely
and reliably and requires upgrades, the utility approves and executes the
application and returns it to the customer within ten business days.
(VI) After installation, the customer returns
the certificate of completion to the utility. Prior to parallel operation, the
utility may inspect the interconnection resource for compliance with standards,
which may include a witness test, and may schedule appropriate metering
replacement, if necessary. The utilities should define "witness test" in their
interconnection tariff.
(VII) The
utility shall notify the customer that parallel operation of the
interconnection resource is authorized within ten business days of the
certificate of completion. If the witness test is not satisfactory, the utility
has the right to disconnect the interconnection resource. The customer has no
right to operate in parallel until a witness test has been performed, or
previously waived on the application. The utility is obligated to complete this
witness test within ten business days of the receipt of the certificate of
completion.
(b) Level 1
application.
(I) The customer must provide in
the application the contact information for the legal applicant (i.e., the
interconnection customer). If another entity is responsible for interfacing
with the utility, that contact information must be provided on the
application.
(II) The application
is considered complete when it provides all applicable and correct information
as required below. Additional information to evaluate the application may be
required.
(III) The application
shall include the following information, as applicable:
(A) Processing fee. A fee of ____________
must accompany this application.
(B) Interconnection customer:
Name
Contact Person
Address
City State Zip
Telephone (Day) and (Evening)
Fax Number and E-Mail Address
(C) Engineering firm or Installer (If
applicable):
Contact Person
Address
City State Zip
Telephone
Fax and E-Mail Address
(D) Contact (if different from
Interconnection Customer):
Name
Address
City State Zip
Telephone (Day) and (Evening)
Fax Number and E-Mail Address
Owner of the facility (include percent ownership by any
electric utility)
(E) DER
information:
Location (if different from above)
Utility
Account number
DER components
Inverter manufacturer: ___________ Model
Nameplate rating: (kW AC) (kVA) (AC Volts)
Single phase _______ Three phase _______
System design capacity: _________ (kW) _______ (kVA)
Prime mover: Photovoltaic Reciprocating Engine Fuel Cell
Turbine Other
Energy source: Solar Wind Hydro Diesel Natural Gas Fuel Oil
Other (describe)
Is the equipment UL1741 Listed? Yes ____ No ____
If yes, attach manufacturer's cut-sheet showing UL1741
listing
Estimated installation date: _________ Estimated in-service
date:
The 25 kW AC inverter process is available only for
inverter-based interconnection resources no larger than 25 kW AC that meet the
codes, standards, and certification requirements of specified in certain of
these interconnection rules, or the utility has reviewed the design or tested
the proposed interconnection resources and is satisfied that it is safe to
operate.
(F) List
components of the small generating facility equipment package that are
currently certified:
Equipment type certifying entity:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
(G) Limited-Export / Non-Export /
Limited-Import Data:
If multiple export control systems are used, provide for
each control system and use additional sheets if needed.
Is export controlled to less than the Total Aggregate
Nameplate Rating? Yes: No:
Method of export limitation: Power Control System / Reverse
Power Protection / Minimum Power Protection / Other (describe):
Export controls are applied to how many generators?
Multiple: One:
If Power Control System is used, open loop response
time(s): _______________
Power Control System export capacity: (kW AC) (kVA)
Energy Storage System Power Control System operating
mode:
Unrestricted: Export Only: Import Only: No Exchange:
Describe which Generators the export control system
controls:
(H)
Interconnection customer signature and certification:
I hereby certify that, to the best of my knowledge, the
information provided in this Application is true. I agree to abide by the Terms
and Conditions for Interconnecting an Inverter-Based interconnection resource
No Larger than 25kW and return the Certificate of Completion when the
interconnection resource has been installed.
Signed:
___________________________________________________________________
Title: Date:
Contingent approval to interconnect the small generating
facility.
(For company use only)
Interconnection of the small generating facility is
approved contingent upon the terms and conditions for interconnecting an
inverter-based small generating facility no larger than 25 kW and return of the
certificate of completion.
Company signature:
________________________________________________
Title: Date:
Application ID number: __________________
Company waives inspection/witness test? Yes ____ No
____
(c) Level 1 terms and conditions.
(I) Construction of the facility. The
interconnection customer may proceed to construct the interconnection resource
when the utility approves the interconnection request (the application) and
returns it to the IC.
(II)
Interconnection and operation. The IC may operate the interconnection resource
and interconnect with the utility's electric system once all of the following
have occurred:
(A) upon completing
construction, the interconnection customer will cause the interconnection
resource to be inspected or otherwise certified by the appropriate local
electrical wiring inspector with jurisdiction;
(B) the customer returns the certificate of
completion to the utility; and
(C)
the utility has completed its inspection of the interconnection resource. All
inspections must be conducted by the utility, at its own expense, within ten
business days after receipt of the certificate of completion and shall take
place at a time agreeable to the parties. The utility shall provide a written
statement that the interconnection resource has passed inspection or shall
notify the customer of what steps it must take to pass inspection as soon as
practicable after the inspection takes place.
(D) The utility has the right to disconnect
the interconnection resource in the event of improper installation or failure
to return the certificate of completion.
(III) Safe operations and maintenance. The
interconnection customer shall be fully responsible to operate, maintain, and
repair the interconnection resource as required to ensure that it complies at
all times with the interconnection standards to which it has been
certified.
(IV) Access. The utility
shall have access to the disconnect switch and metering equipment of the
interconnection resource at all times. The utility shall provide reasonable
notice to the customer when possible prior to using its right of
access.
(V) Disconnection. The
utility may temporarily disconnect the interconnection resource as allowed in
the interconnection agreement and upon the following conditions:
(A) for scheduled outages per notice
requirements in the utility's tariff or Commission rules;
(B) for unscheduled outages or emergency
conditions pursuant to the utility's tariff or Commission rules; or
(C) if the interconnection resource does not
operate in the manner consistent with these terms and conditions.
(D) The utility shall inform the
interconnection customer in advance of any scheduled disconnection, or as is
reasonable after an unscheduled disconnection.
(VI) Indemnification. The parties shall at
all times indemnify, defend, and save the other party harmless from, any and
all damages, losses, claims, including claims and actions relating to injury to
or death of any person or damage to property, demand, suits, recoveries, costs
and expenses, court costs, attorney fees, and all other obligations by or to
third parties, arising out of or resulting from the other party's action or
inactions of its obligations under this agreement on behalf of the indemnifying
party, except in cases of gross negligence or intentional wrongdoing by the
indemnified party.
(VII) The
interconnection customer is not required to provide general liability insurance
coverage as part of this agreement, or through any other utility
requirement.
(VIII) Limitation of
liability. Each party's liability to the other party for any loss, cost, claim,
injury, liability, or expense, including reasonable attorney's fees, relating
to or arising from any act or omission in its performance of the
interconnection agreement, shall be limited to the amount of direct damage
actually incurred. In no event shall either party be liable to the other party
for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages of
any kind whatsoever, except as allowed under subparagraph (c)(VI) of this
rule.
(IX) Termination. The
interconnection agreement to operate in parallel may be terminated under the
following conditions.
(A) By the customer by
providing written notice to the utility.
(B) By the utility if the interconnection
resource fails to operate for any consecutive 12-month period or the customer
fails to remedy a violation of these terms and conditions.
(C) Permanent disconnection. In the event the
interconnection agreement is terminated, the utility shall have the right to
disconnect its facilities or direct the customer to disconnect its
interconnection resource.
(D)
Survival rights. The interconnection agreement shall continue in effect after
termination to the extent necessary to allow or require either party to fulfill
rights or obligations that arose under the agreement.
(X) Assignment/Transfer of ownership of the
facility. The interconnection agreement shall survive the transfer of ownership
of the small generating facility to a new owner when the new owner agrees in
writing to comply with the terms of the agreement and so notifies the
utility.
Notes
4 CCR
723-3-3854
38
CR 17, September 10, 2015, effective
9/30/2015
39
CR 06, March 25, 2016, effective
4/14/2016
39
CR 08, April 25, 2016, effective
5/15/2016
40
CR 22, November 25, 2017, effective
12/15/2017
42
CR 03, February 10, 2019, effective
3/2/2019
42
CR 07, April 10, 2019, effective
4/30/2019
42
CR 09, May 10, 2019, effective
5/30/2019
43
CR 08, April 25, 2020, effective
5/15/2020
43
CR 12, June 25, 2020, effective
7/15/2020
43
CR 20, October 25, 2020, effective
11/14/2020
44
CR 13, July 10, 2021, effective
7/30/2021
44
CR 24, December 25, 2021, effective
1/14/2022
45
CR 18, September 25, 2022, effective
10/15/2022
46
CR 02, January 25, 2023, effective
2/14/2023
