The Interstate Renewable Energy (IREC) council has printed its newest “Freeing the Grid” examine, which evaluates how properly every state interconnects distributed vitality assets (DERs), similar to photo voltaic and vitality storage. IREC compiles “Releasing the Grid” in collaboration with Vote Solar.
Credit score: Interstate Renewable Power Council & Vote Photo voltaic
The examine solely considers statewide interconnection insurance policies. Out of all 50 states, New Mexico is the one one with an “A” grade. In comparison with the final report printed in 2023, eight states’ interconnection practices improved. Oregon and New Jersey leaped from “D” to “B” grades, Maine moved from a “C” to a “B” and Wisconsin from a “D” to a “C.” California, Connecticut, Minnesota and Vermont’s rankings improved, however not by a letter grade.
“IREC’s Releasing the Grid interconnection grades are a strong software for states to benchmark the effectiveness of their interconnection insurance policies. We’re thrilled to see enhancements in eight states this yr, however with over 80% of states scoring a ‘C’ or under and 1 / 4 of all states missing statewide interconnection guidelines altogether, there’s considerably extra work to be executed to make sure constant, clear, and environment friendly processes,” stated IREC CEO Chris Nichols. “This report, and its state-specific coverage suggestions, is especially well timed given the present stress on regulators to rein in electrical charge hikes and ship extra vitality to satisfy rising demand.”
IREC acknowledged that “Releasing the Grid” is devised to assist legislators and utility regulators implement extra environment friendly interconnection processes for DERs. Every state is evaluated primarily based on 10 classes of standards measuring its price, effectivity and transparency in interconnection, and the report recommends how every state can enhance on this. By implementing these suggestions, IREC hopes that it’ll finally quicken the method and scale back interconnection backlogs, or keep away from them altogether.
In keeping with this newest “Releasing the Grid” report, 13 states and territories don’t have statewide interconnection measures. Solely 9 states obtained a “B” grade or greater, with the rest under that.
“We’re inspired to see states making significant progress towards quicker and extra clear interconnection processes,” stated Sachu Constantine, government director of Vote Photo voltaic. “However this yr’s grades additionally clarify that many states nonetheless have substantial work forward to make sure group energy assets like photo voltaic can hook up with the grid effectively and pretty. Sturdy interconnection coverage is foundational to attaining reasonably priced, dependable and equitable clear vitality for all communities to learn from.”
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