Press Release

PUC Establishes Standard Application Forms, Fees for Customer-Generators Interconnecting to Electric Grid

Published on 2/26/2009

Filed under: Electric

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today established standard application forms and fees for customer-generators wanting to interconnect to the electric grid.

The Commission voted unanimously to approve the application forms and a policy statement on associated fees to be used for interconnection requests under the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards (AEPS) Act.

A major component of AEPS includes directions for how customer-generators who use technologies such as solar panels, fuel cells or biodigesters can connect to the electric distribution system. The PUC has established rules for those interconnections and how the customer-generators will be compensated by electric distribution companies (EDCs) and electric generation suppliers (EGSs) for providing surplus energy to the electric grid.

The PUC’s interconnection regulations govern the process by which a customer-generator may interconnect onsite generation equipment to an electric utility’s distribution lines. The regulations establish four levels of review depending on the rated generation capacity of the generation equipment among other criteria. The interconnection application forms and fees are designed to be uniform across the Commonwealth.

The forms will be available on the PUC Web site. Customer-generators also may check with their local utilities for information on forms and fees.

The PUC has actively been implementing AEPS, which was designed to foster economic development, encourage reliance on more diverse and environmentally friendly sources of energy and provide options for consumers by allowing them to take control of their energy requirements using alternative energy sources.

Generally, AEPS requires that a certain percentage of all electric energy sold to retail customers be derived from alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, biomass, waste coal and demand side management resources. The law applies to both EDCs and EGSs, who must demonstrate their compliance on an annual basis.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

For recent news releases, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

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Docket No. M-00051865

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