R746-312-8. Level 1 Interconnection Review

(1) A generating facility that meets the following criteria is eligible for Level 1 interconnection review:

(a) the generating facility is inverter-based; and

(b) the generating facility has a capacity of 25 kilowatts or less.

(2) A public utility shall process, evaluate, and approve, if appropriate, all Level 1 interconnection requests according to this Subsection unless a public utility has implemented a process ensuring notification of approval or denial of a completed Level 1 interconnection request within 15 business days of receipt of the interconnection request, or the public utility completes final approval of a Level 1 interconnection request within 15 business days of receipt of an interconnection request, or the public utility has received approval from the commission for an alternate Level 1 interconnection review method:

(a) The public utility shall date and time stamp each interconnection request on the day it was received by the public utility.

(b) Within three business days after receipt, the public utility shall acknowledge to the interconnection customer receipt of the interconnection request.

(c) Within 10 business days after receipt, the public utility shall evaluate the interconnection request and notify the interconnection customer whether the interconnection request is complete.

(i) If the interconnection request is not complete the public utility must provide a list detailing all information that must be provided to complete the application.

(ii) Within 10 business days of receipt of this notification, the interconnection customer must submit the missing information to the public utility or request an extension of time to provide such information. If the interconnection customer does not provide the listed information or request an extension of time within the 10 business day deadline, the interconnection request shall be deemed withdrawn.

(iii) An interconnection request shall be deemed complete upon submission of the listed information.

(d) Within 15 business days after issuing a notification of completeness, the public utility shall verify, using screens set forth in Section R746-312-7, whether or not the proposed generating facility can be interconnected safely and reliably, and shall notify the interconnection customer that either:

(i) the generating facility meets all applicable criteria and the interconnection request is approved; or

(ii) the generation facility has failed to meet one or more of the applicable criteria, the reason for the failure, and the interconnection request is denied under the Level 1 interconnection process. If the interconnection request is denied the interconnection customer may resubmit the application under the Level 2 or Level 3 interconnection review procedure, as appropriate.

(e) Either along with or within five business days after notifying the interconnection customer that the interconnection request has been approved, a public utility must provide the procedures, requirements, and associated forms, including any required standard form interconnection agreement, for final authorization of the interconnection, as determined applicable by the public utility. These procedures and requirements may include:

(i) completion of any required inspection of the generating facility by the building code official with jurisdiction over the generating facility and transmittal to the public utility of appropriate documentation;

(ii) transmittal to the public utility of any required notice of completion, notice of start-up, and/or interconnection agreement;

(iii) installation of any required meter modification by the public utility;

(iv) completion of any required inspection of the generation facility prior to operation by the public utility; and/or

(v) the requirement that the applicant may not begin parallel operations of the generating facility until receipt of a final approval or authorization of interconnection.

(f) The customer and the public utility may mutually agree to terms that vary from the standard form interconnection agreement, but such non-standard agreement shall be subject to commission approval.

(g) If a public utility does not notify a Level 1 interconnection customer in writing or by electronic mail whether the interconnection request is approved or denied within 25 business days after the receipt of an application, the interconnection request shall be deemed approved.

(3) An interconnection customer must notify the public utility of the anticipated start date for operation of the generating facility at least ten business days prior to starting operation, either through the submittal of the interconnection agreement, a notice of completion, or in a separate notice.

(4) Within 10 business days of receipt of all required documentation (e.g., executed interconnection agreement, notice of completion, and/or documentation of satisfactory completion of inspections by non-company personnel), the public utility must, if it has not already done so, conduct any company-required inspection or witness test, set the new meter, if required, approve the interconnection, and provide written notification to the interconnection customer of the final interconnection authorization/approval indicating the generating facility is authorized/approved for parallel operation. If the public utility does not conduct the witness test within 10 business days or by mutual agreement with the interconnection customer, the witness test is deemed waived.

(5) Witness Test Not Acceptable. If the witness test is conducted and is not acceptable to the public utility, the interconnection customer must be granted a period of 30 business days to resolve any deficiencies. The public utility and interconnection customer may mutually agree to extend the time period for resolving any deficiencies. If the interconnection customer fails to address and resolve the deficiencies to the satisfaction of the public utility within the agreed upon time period, the interconnection request is deemed withdrawn.