The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will take a closer look at a solar energy trade group proposal to revamp small generator interconnection rules to better accommodate that power source.
In a notice issued Wednesday, FERC scheduled a July 17 technical conference on a Solar Energy Industries Association petition.
In February, SEIA asserted that interconnection rules had become "unduly discriminatory and unreasonable barriers to solar market access" and called on FERC to develop new rules that acknowledge the changing nature of the solar power industry.
SEIA targeted the so-called "15% rule or screen" that applies to fast-track interconnection of small solar units, claiming that it hinders access.
Order 2006, issued in 2005, provides that for a solar project to be eligible for fast-track interconnection, it must be 2 MW or less, with the aggregate distributed generation interconnected on a utility circuit that does not exceed 15% of the line section's annual peak load.
According to the trade group, FERC can preserve the main purpose of the screen, which is to protect substations from dangerous reverse power flows, with less-restrictive standards that allow for more solar generation to be hooked up to the grid.
One suggestion is to keep the 15% screen in place, while providing a solar-only alternative that sets the screen at 100% of minimum daytime load for the period between 10 am and 2 pm. The alternative would apply where aggregate existing and proposed distributed generation on a feeder exceeds 15% of peak circuit load.
Those interested in speaking at the technical conference must notify the commission by close of business June 22.
