For businesses and homeowners that want to be connected to the electrical grid as well as be able to generate their own power — called distributed generation — there can be barriers that exist to grid interconnection. Solar power, fuel cells, wind turbines, microturbines, and other technologies can contribute to U.S. energy needs and energy security, but there are no uniform standards for interconnection.

The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) recently released a report that includes model procedures and agreements for grid interconnection that could be adopted by the states. The Department of Energy (DOE) funded the report, which provides guidelines that are designed to produce standards that are not excessively burdensome or expensive, and still ensure safety and system reliability.

To view a copy of the report on the NARUC website, go to www.naruc.org/Programs/dgia/dgiaip.pdf.