What Is A Solar Interconnection?

Installing a solar array can take as little as one day for a smaller residential or commercial project. Getting the necessary approvals to begin producing clean, affordable solar energy is a different matter. That is because the utility approval process before and after the installation can be unpredictable. This is especially true of one of the most important parts of solar installations known as the interconnection agreement.

What Is A Solar Interconnection Agreement?

Any solar panel installation in the U.S. that is connected to the electrical grid requires an interconnection. If you draw energy from the power grid (utility), regardless of whether you have solar or not, you are considered a grid-tied customer. An interconnection agreement is a type of contract between the utility and the solar array owner. It allows the consumer to send excess energy produced from the solar array back through the power grid. If you’re working with a professional solar company like Eagle Point Solar, they will likely take care of the interconnection process on your behalf. An interconnection agreement requires completing and submitting forms and plans for the proposed solar project.

Most commonly, the solar interconnection process is separated into two permission phases from your utility; permission to install a solar array and permission to operate a solar array. To receive permission to install, the utility reviews the project to verify it meets safety standards, identifies any potential impacts on the grid from receiving your excess energy, evaluates the existing infrastructure, and verifies the electrical equipment connections are correctly proposed and the project uses acceptable equipment.

This process, even for a residential installation, can take up to four weeks or more depending on the utility scheduling and complexity of the installation. While the specific steps a utility follows may be time consuming, the goal is to ensure your solar energy system is properly designed and installed safely for you and the many users of the electrical grid in your area. Once the utility grants installation approval, your solar company can proceed with the installation.

How Do You Receive Permission to Operate?

After you receive permission to install your solar array from your utility and installation is complete, you might be required to complete a witness test. A witness test is an on-site inspection of the installed solar array with a representative from the utility. They evaluate the installation to ensure it matches the plans and operates correctly. To learn more about witness tests, read our blog “What is a Solar Witness Test?”. After you have passed all the inspections from the utility as well as the state and/or local government, you move to the last step — receiving permission to operate (PTO). PTO does not refer to any physical part of your system. It is simply documenting the necessary paperwork from the utility regarding the specifics of your array.

That is not to say, however, that part of the process to receive PTO won’t involve more equipment. In some cases, the next step is the utility installing a special meter called a bi-directional meter. These meters can track both your solar production (excess energy sent to the grid) as well as electricity received from the utility (energy purchased from the grid) for accurate monthly billing and energy credit calculations. Learn more about net metering and what solar production the utility measures in our Net Metering vs. Utility Billing article. Following the inspections and meter change, you or the installer will submit a certificate of completion to the utility. The utility will then officially grant PTO and return the completed documentation, allowing you to turn on your solar energy system and begin producing electricity.

What Happens If I Turn The System On Before Receiving PTO?

Turning on a solar energy system before being granted PTO can result in a variety of issues. None of them is good. First, the utility company can issue a fine to the consumer as well as the installer. Second, if the site does not have the correct meter installed, the energy produced that is sent back to the grid could instead be counted as energy pulled from the grid. That means you would end up paying for the energy you produce rather than receiving a credit for it. Following the necessary steps throughout the process will help to ensure a seamless, transparent and successful project.

The Eagle Point Solar Difference

At Eagle Point Solar, we concentrate on the tristate area of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. This tight radius allows us to develop solid professional relationships within the utility districts. It ensures current knowledge and understanding of the complexities and current requirements of interconnection agreements. This level of expertise and depth of utility partnerships helps to benefit our clients throughout their entire solar journey process.

Ready to take the first steps in installing your own solar energy system? Contact Eagle Point Solar for a free solar analysis today.