Interconnection info request [RE-wrenches]

[David Blecker]

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Allan,

I think the best argument is that no one else is doing it.  In Wisconsin, 
we wrestled with this issue in a collaborative with the utilities and 
regulators.  Luckily our voices prevailed after conveying the magnitude of 
the burden a PE stamp would impose on the sale and installation of 
non-commercial systems.

Wisconsin simply requires that the installer/designer be identified on the 
interconnection application.  That way, the utility can contact him/her if 
questions come up.  If you, or anyone else wants, I can send the 
"Interconnection Application" form developed for residential systems -- 
defined here as 20kW and less to match our net-metering laws.

Keep in mind though, the utility should have NO jurisdiction over the 
"design" of the system.  Concerns about safe design should be left to the 
homeowner, designer, installer and local inspectors.  The utility's 
jurisdiction should stop at the point of common coupling -- the 
interconnection point. Moreover, their review of the application should be 
limited to review of:

1.  Certification to, or functional compliance with UL/IEEE standards
2.  Adequate system protection with respect to fault currents
3.  Minimum power factors to ensure stability.

Its fair and reasonable for the utility to ensure the safety and 
performance of their systems won't be affected by our installations and we 
should provide the information and data necessary for them to make that 
determination.  However, any effort by the utility to extend its reach 
further than the point of common coupling must be vigorously opposed.  The 
don't let us have say in the design of their systems -- they shouldn't have 
any say in our designs!

Good luck,
David

At 05:20 PM 3/10/2004, you wrote:
>Fellow Wrenches.
>New Mexico has net metering and a newly-codified RPS. We have worked with
>four utilities (one IOU and 3 RECs), all of which are regulated. Now we are
>working with a client (and there may be more coming) in the city of Los
>Alamos, which is a muni and thus unregulated by our state's PRC. The client
>is having us install 3 kW of PV on a Wattsun Uber-tracker in his back yard,
>as he rebuilds after the 2000 fire.
>
>The Los Alamos County Utilities Dept. is drafting a net metering agreement
>as we speak. The issue I want to protest is a requirement that "the
>qualifying facility to be designed by an engineer licensed in NM." Nobody
>else requires this, and it would add several hundred bucks to the system
>cost.
>
>Can anyone provide a well-written argument against requiring an engineer's
>stamp, from another battle elsewhere that I may use to craft a comment on
>the proposed rule? A word document would be great, as I can cut and paste it
>onto letterhead and submit it to the utility.
>
>Thank you for any help.
>
>Allan at PosE
>
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----------------------------------------------------------
David Blecker, PE, Executive Director
Seventh Generation Energy Systems, Inc.
608-424-1870 (ph)  424-1810 (fax)

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