Open up the fast-track for small photovoltaic grid

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has proposed reform, the reform will make some small power projects, including solar can enjoy faster and network processes.

The reform involves a 2006 resolution, the resolution came into effect in 2005, aimed at the establishment of a national grid processes is not larger than 20MW of power generation projects. However, since 2005, the demand for solar has increased dramatically, and the solar panel Energy Industries Association (SEIA), said the resolution is in some ways a challenge to the grid processes.

FERC has consciousness need to update the existing laws and regulations, and revealed that the reforms outlined in the notice of the proposed rulemaking is driven by changes in the market, in part by the U.S. renewable energy targets and policies to promote.

If the reform is approved, it will reduce the time and cost of processing small generators and network requests, while maintaining the reliability and security of the power system.

A small generator and network processes (SGIP) as part of its offer, FERC has proposed to change a small generator and network protocols (SGIA), for not more than 20MW facility settings and network terms and conditions.

As part of its offer, the Commission has proposed four reforms. The first reform will allow network customers require transmission supplier to provide a pre-application report will help them to better assess the requirement to submit a formal grid interconnection point. FERC believes that this additional transparency can improve both transmission supplier customers and the efficiency of the network flow.

The second reform would amend the current 2MW limit participation in the Fast Track process. Instead, the fast-track eligibility will be based on a stand-alone system, the maximum of up to 5MW.

The third reform will modify the reliability or safety of the customers for project selection meetings and supplemental review, the identification is not screened through the fast-track projects.

Finally, the grid customers will get the opportunity to upgrade to submit written comments for the grid is very necessary. The Committee believes that the transmission suppliers should make a final decision on the necessary upgrades, but the concern is, do not allow customers to view and comment on the upgrade may result in costs is unfair, unreasonable.

The SEIA welcome the news of the proposed reforms, and believe that this will help to consider "fast-track" process, the number of solar cell doubled.

SEIA president and CEO Rhone-Royce Chi the (Rhone Resch) said: "We appreciate the FERC aware facing wholesale distributed generation development challenges, this is one of the fastest growing areas in the development of the solar energy industry this important The proposed regulations have the potential, you can quickly make double the U.S. fast-track solar charge controller power generation capacity at the same time, the proposed regulations to safeguard the security and reliability of the power system.

We represent our members, and look forward to cooperation with FERC and stakeholders, and to see the implementation of the regulations, and to help the American people to bring more affordable, reliable solar. SEIA also called on states to consider the updated legislation as proposed by FERC to update their own regulations grid template and starting point. '