Maine Utilities, Solar Developers Seek Rule Changes to Tackle Influx of Grid Connection Requests

A coalition of investor-owned utilities and renewable energy developers on Nov. 11 asked the Maine Public Utilities Commission for temporary rule changes to resolve issues arising from the growth in interconnection activity after the state passed a law in June that expands opportunities to invest in solar power and distributed generation. 

The legislation led to a surge in grid connection requests, particularly “Level 4” applications for proposed solar facilities under 5 megawatts. Through the end of October, Central Maine Power Company had 206 pending requests, a 4,020 percent increase over the same period in 2018, while Emera Maine had 35 applications representing a 3,400 percent increase. 

Among the major provisions, the law expanded the capacity of facilities eligible for net metering to 5 megawatts from the previous level of 660 kilowatts, established a new commercial and institutional net energy billing program, and replaced the ownership requirement with a “financial interest” allowing lease or power purchase arrangements. The legislation also lifts the nine-person limit on the number of customers who can participate in a community project and requires competitive procurement of 375 megawatts of distributed generation over the next five years. The first solicitation is to take place by July 1, 2020. 

The petitioners, Central Maine Power, Emera Maine, Maine Renewable Energy Association, and Coalition for Community Solar Access, proposed amendments that would remain in effect for up to 90 days while the commission opens a rulemaking proceeding to consider a more comprehensive set of changes as provided by the law. The changes, which apply to Level 4 interconnections, would require applicants to obtain site control for projects before seeking interconnection, provide a description of allowed modifications, and raise the application fee for that level.

Central Maine Power is a subsidiary of Avangrid Inc. which is owned by Iberdrola SA. Emera Maine is a subsidiary of Emera Inc.