Interconnection Standards
Interconnection standards specify the processes, timelines, costs, and technical requirements associated with connecting distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar and energy storage systems, safely and reliably to the grid. They are effectively the “rules of the road” that must be followed by both interconnection applicants and utilities, and they play an essential role in enabling a state’s clean energy transition.
Interconnection standards are typically established by state-level public utility commissions (PUCs) and mandate how utilities must connect renewable energy systems to the electric grid, with a parallel permitting process required by local jurisdictions to ensure that systems are installed safely. As a starting point for developing their rules, many states rely on model procedures from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and/or the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, as well as the Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers (IEEE 1547-2018) to ensure safe and reliable integration into the grid.
Interconnection standards typically include parameters on the types of utilities and customers eligible for interconnection, as well as system capacity limits, application costs, procedural timelines, insurance requirements, and dispute resolution processes. Because interconnection rules dictate how DER projects get reviewed and approved for operation on the electric grid, they are critical to the fair and efficient processing of interconnection requests. If the rules are designed to promote streamlined review and clarity around timelines and costs, they can ensure that DER deployment avoids bottlenecks in the interconnection process.
Key Resources
IEEE 1547™-2018 Adoption Tracker:
Interconnection State Grades
Policy Explainer: Fast-Tracking Renewables with Interconnection Standards
State Energy and the Environment Guide to Action: Interconnecting and Net Metering
Model Rules
Model Interconnection Procedures
IEEE 1547-2018
Model States
Arizona
Arizona received a B grade from Freeing the Grid.
Illinois
Illinois received a B grade from Freeing the Grid.
Michigan
Michigan received a B grade from Freeing the Grid.
New Mexico
New Mexico received an A grade from Freeing the Grid.
Interconnection Standards By State
| Status | State Sort descending | Region | Components | YR Enacted | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not Enacted |
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Alabama received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | |||
| Not Enacted |
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Alaska received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West | |||
| Enacted |
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Arizona received a B grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southwest | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Arkansas received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | |||
| Enacted |
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California received a B grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Colorado received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Connecticut received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Northeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Delaware received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Florida received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Georgia received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | |||
| Enacted |
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Hawaii received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Idaho received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West | |||
| Enacted |
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Illinois received a B grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Indiana received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Iowa received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Kansas received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | |||
| Enacted |
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Kentucky received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Louisiana received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | |||
| Enacted |
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Maine received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Northeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Maryland received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Massachusetts received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Northeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Michigan received a B grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Minnesota received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Mississippi received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Missouri received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | |||
| Enacted |
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Montana received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Nebraska received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | |||
| Enacted |
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Nevada received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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New Hampshire received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Northeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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New Jersey received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Northeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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New Mexico received an A grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southwest | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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New York received a B grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Northeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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North Carolina received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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North Dakota received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | |||
| Enacted |
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Ohio received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Oklahoma received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southwest | |||
| Enacted |
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Oregon received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Pennsylvania received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Northeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Rhode Island received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Northeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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South Carolina received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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South Dakota received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Tennessee received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | |||
| Enacted |
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Texas received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southwest | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Utah received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Vermont received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Northeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Virginia received a C grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Washington received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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West Virginia received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Southeast | 2023 | ||
| Enacted |
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Wisconsin received a D grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
Midwest | 2023 | ||
| Not Enacted |
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Wyoming received an F grade from Freeing the Grid. Establishing Policies
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|
West |