Section 3.50.940. Interconnection of eligible consumer generation systems.

	(a)  No later than March 31, 2012, each electric utility required under 3 AAC 50.900 to provide net metering services shall submit a tariff revision to incorporate interconnection rules for eligible consumer generation systems. The interconnection rules must  
		(1) address any requirements for liability insurance coverage, if that coverage is readily available at a reasonable cost to the consumer;  
		(2) address the installation of an external disconnect switch, unless the utility determines additional disconnection capability is not necessary; consumers must be offered the option to  
			(A) install an external disconnect switch in a location readily accessible by utility personnel, as designated by the utility; or  
			(B) agree to allow the utility to disconnect both the consumer's non-utility generation and the consumer's load from the utility electric system when disconnection is necessary, under circumstances described in the utility's tariff;  
		(3) set out rules regarding the allocation of costs for the installation of the external disconnection switch in accordance with the following requirements:  
			(A) the utility may require the consumer to pay for the installed cost of the external disconnect switch and necessary wiring if the location designated by the utility under (2)(A) of this subsection is  
				(i) within five feet of the consumer's meter base;  
				(ii) at the consumer's main structure; or  
				(iii) at a location otherwise agreed to between the utility and the consumer;  
			(B) the utility may require the consumer to pay for the installed cost of the external disconnect switch but the utility shall pay for necessary wiring if the installed location of the external disconnect switch is a location other than one described in (A) of this paragraph;  
		(4) include an application form for interconnection of eligible consumer generation systems that is no more than two pages;  
		(5) include criteria and requirements for interconnection of non-utility generation with electric power systems; in developing those criteria and requirements, the utility may use, as applicable, standards from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1547 series of interconnection standards or other similar national standards; when determining the reasonableness of the tariff filing, the commission may refer to those standards and consider their applicability; and  
		(6) include requirements for inverters, converters, controllers, and interconnection system equipment for use by non-utility generation; in developing those requirements, the utility may use, as applicable, Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) standard 1741, Standard for Inverters, Converters, Controllers and Interconnection System Equipment for Use With Distributed Energy Resources, or other similar national standards; when determining the reasonableness of the tariff filing, the commission may refer to those standards and consider their applicability.  
	(b)  Upon approval of an application for interconnection of an eligible consumer generation system by the utility,  
		(1) the provisions of 3 AAC 50.900 - 3 AAC 50.949 apply to the consumer and utility; and  
		(2) the provisions of 3 AAC 50.750 - 3 AAC 50.820 do not apply to the consumer and utility.  

Authorities

42.05.141;42.05.151;42.05.291;42.05.311;42.05.321

Notes

Authority

AS 42.05.141 AS 42.05.151 AS 42.05.291 AS 42.05.311 AS 42.05.321

History

Eff. 6/16/2010, Register 194; am 10/3/2011, Register 200