Ohio
Incentives/Policies for Renewables & Efficiency
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Last DSIRE Review: 05/20/2009
| Incentive Type: |
Interconnection |
| State: |
Ohio |
| Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: |
Solar Thermal Electric,
Photovoltaics,
Landfill Gas,
Wind,
Biomass,
Hydroelectric,
Geothermal Electric,
Fuel Cells,
Municipal Solid Waste,
CHP/Cogeneration,
Microturbines,
Other Distributed Generation Technologies
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| Applicable Sectors: |
Commercial,
Industrial,
Residential,
Nonprofit,
Schools,
Local Government,
State Government,
Fed. Government
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| Applicable Utilities: | Investor-owned utilities
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| System Capacity Limit: | 20 MW |
| Standard Agreement: | Yes |
| Insurance Requirements: | "Additional" liability insurance not required
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| External Disconnect Switch: | Required
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| Net Metering Required: | No |
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Web Site: |
http://www.puco.ohio.gov/
PUCO/Consumer/Information.cfm?id=6608&terms=interconnection&searchtype=1&fragment=False
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Authority 1:
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ORC 4928.11
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| Date Enacted: | 07/06/1999 |
| Date Effective: | 07/06/1999 |
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Authority 2:
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OAC 4901:1-22
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| Date Enacted: | 03/27/2007 |
| Date Effective: | 10/22/2007 |
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Summary:
Prompted by the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) adopted new interconnection standards for distributed generation in March 2007. These standards, which apply to customers of Ohio's investor-owned utilities, replaced the state's original interconnection standards, adopted in April 2000.
Ohio's interconnection standards provide for three levels of review for the interconnection of DG systems up to 20 megawatts (MW) in capacity:- Level 1 interconnection -- the simplified review procedure -- applies to certified, inverter-based systems up to 10 kilowatts (kW) in capacity that use renewable energy as a fuel. These systems must meet IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 standards and may not be interconnected at the transmission level. Technical screens, fees, timelines and provisions for interconnection to area networks are detailed in the rules. An external disconnect switch is required.
- Level 2 interconnection -- the expedited review procedure -- applies to certified, inverter-based or synchronous systems up to 2 MW in capacity. These systems must meet IEEE 1547 and UL 1741 standards and may not be interconnected at the transmission level. Technical screens, fees and timelines are detailed in the rules. An external disconnect switch is required.
- Level 3 interconnection -- the standard procedure -- applies to inverter-based or synchronous systems up to 20 MW in capacity that do not qualify for Level 1 or Level 2 certification. Technical screens, fees and timelines are detailed in the rules. An external disconnect switch is required.
PUCO has developed two application forms for interconnection: a "short form" application for systems up to 50 kW in capacity, and a standard application for systems that do not qualify for the "short form" application. PUCO also provides a checklist for applicants to determine whether to complete the "short form" or the standard form. (On the PUCO interconnection web site, scroll down to "definitions" and then to "application" to access both types of applications as well as the check list.)
Each utility must provide applicants with a standard agreement, and must designate an employee or office to handle interconnection application requests. Utilities may not require additional liability insurance beyond proof of insurance. The rules include a provision for alternative dispute resolution, and for formal complaints brought by applicants and interconnected customers. Interconnection to area networks is generally permitted.
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Please note: The information on the DSIRE web site provides an overview of incentives and other policies, but it should not be used as the only source of information when making purchasing decisions, investment decisions, tax decisions or other binding agreements. Please refer to the individual contact provided in each record to verify that a specific incentive or other policy is applicable to your specific project.
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