IREC Paper: Model Interconnection Procedures in the USA 2023 Edition

Interconnection is one of the biggest obstacles to the expansion of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as rooftop solar installations, community solar, and battery storage and achieving state clean energy, climate, and just transition goals. As demand for clean energy accelerates, utilities face a glut of requests to connect DER projects to an already saturated electric grid. Without up-to-date rules tailored to current clean energy technologies and the latest best practices for integrating them on the grid, it can take months or years to bring new projects online. 

The 2023 Model Procedures include the following important updates, among other changes:

• Interconnection of Energy Storage Systems
• Use of 100% of Minimum Load in Fast Track Screen
• Elimination of Level 3 and Renaming of Study Track
• Supplemental Review Screens
• General Usability Updates

IREC’s 2023 Model Procedures provide guidance and best practices on the following important issues and related questions impacting the interconnection of DERs to the grid.