or provide a new digital meter that calculates power for energy accounting
purposes. The utility company may charge an interconnection fee as well. This fee
covers the cost of testing and inspecting the PV system after installation.
Getting Through to the Grid
Before you contact the utility, check the website, www.dsireusa.org. This website
has information on incentive programs for your state. Some of the incen-
tives include:
Utility programs
Tax credits
Tax deductions
Grants
The website provides details about how they process incentives. It also has
general guidelines for the incentive programs. Often you will find direct links to
renewable energy sites.
Contact the utility company before the permit docu-
ments are filed with the local building department. The utility
company may have someone or an entire department that
works with interconnection agreements. That depends on the
PV site location. One easy way to know this information is to
look up the renewable energy program on the utility compa-
ny’s website and check their PV program requirements. Use
search terms such as “interconnection agreement” or
“net metering.”
If the PV site is located in a rural area or a place with few
PV systems, contact the state Public Utility Commission
(PUC). Do this prior to calling the utility company. The PUC will offer informa-
tion on the approval process for connecting to the grid. The PUC also should be
able to provide a contact person at the utility company.
Working Through the Details
One of the first tasks is to get the names of people responsible for processing the
interconnection application at the utility company. Also get the name of the
person who makes the final application decision. You will want to get a list of
their requirements. They may be different from those of the AHJ. The utility com-
pany may require design and submission templates, forms, and specific deadlines.
Talk with these people, and find the answers to all of their questions. Provide
them with the following:
All of their required forms filled out completely and accurately
Site plans and drawings for the electrical system
NOTE
When doing your research, you will
find some utility companies have a net
billing and net metering program. Net
billing can be misleading. It is not a
one-for-one program. It benefits the
utility company and not the customer.
Study the programs carefully to get the
right program for you.
218 ADVANCED PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATIONS
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