OAR 860-039-0035
Level 2 Net Metering Interconnection Review
(1)
A public utility must apply the following Level 2 interconnection review procedure for an application to interconnect a net metering facility that meets the following criteria:(a)
The facility has a capacity of two megawatts or less; and(b)
The facility does not qualify for or failed to meet applicable Level 1 interconnection review procedures.(2)
The public utility must approve interconnection under the Level 2 interconnection review procedure if:(a)
The aggregate generation capacity on the distribution circuit to which the net metering facility will interconnect, including the capacity of the net metering facility, will not cause any distribution protective equipment (including, but not limited to, substation breakers, fuse cutouts, and line reclosers), or customer equipment on the electric distribution system, to exceed 90 percent of the short circuit interrupting capability of the equipment. In addition, a net metering facility will not be connected to a circuit that already exceeds 90 percent of the short circuit interrupting capability, prior to interconnection of the facility.(b)
If there are posted transient stability limits to generating units located in the general electrical vicinity of the proposed point of common coupling, including, but not limited to within three or four transmission voltage level busses, the aggregate generation capacity, including the net metering facility, connected to the distribution low voltage side of the substation transformer feeding the distribution circuit containing the point of common coupling will not exceed 10 megawatts.(c)
The aggregate generation capacity connected to the distribution circuit, including the net metering facility, will not contribute more than 10 percent to the distribution circuit’s maximum fault current at the point on the high voltage (primary) level nearest the proposed point of common coupling.(d)
If a net metering facility is to be connected to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregate generation capacity connected to the electric distribution system by non-public utility sources, including the net metering facility, will not exceed 10 percent (or 15 percent for solar electric generation) of the total circuit annual peak load. For the purposes of this subsection, annual peak load will be based on measurements taken over the 12 months previous to the submittal of the application, measured for the circuit at the substation nearest to the net metering facility.(e)
If a net metering facility is to be connected to three-phase, three wire primary public utility distribution lines, a three-phase or single-phase generator will be connected phase-to-phase.(f)
If a net metering facility is to be connected to three-phase, four wire primary public utility distribution lines, a three-phase or single-phase generator will be connected line-to-neutral and will be effectively grounded.(g)
If a net metering facility is to be connected to a single-phase shared secondary, the aggregate generation capacity on the shared secondary, including the net metering facility, will not exceed 20 kilovolt-amps.(h)
If a net metering facility is single-phase and is to be connected to a transformer center tap neutral of a 240 volt service, the addition of the net metering facility will not create a current imbalance between the two sides of the 240 volt service that is greater than 20 percent of the nameplate rating of the service transformer.(i)
A net metering facility’s point of common coupling will not be on a transmission line.(j)
If a net metering facility’s proposed point of common coupling is on a spot or area network, the interconnection will meet the following additional requirements:(A)
For a net metering facility that will be connected to a spot network circuit, the aggregate generation capacity connected to that spot network from the net metering facilities, and any generating facilities, will not exceed five percent of the spot network’s maximum load;(B)
For a net metering facility that utilizes inverter-based protective functions, which will be connected to an area network, the net metering facility, combined with any other generating facilities on the load side of network protective devices, will not exceed 10 percent of the minimum annual load on the network, or 500 kilowatts, whichever is less. For the purposes of this paragraph, the percent of minimum load for solar electric generation net metering facility will be calculated based on the minimum load occurring during an off-peak daylight period; and(C)
For a net metering facility that will be connected to a spot or an area network that does not utilize inverter-based protective functions, or for an inverter-based net metering facility that does not meet the requirements of paragraphs (A) or (B) of this subsection, the net metering facility will utilize low forward power relays or other protection devices that ensure no export of power from the net metering facility, including inadvertent export (under fault conditions) that could adversely affect protective devices on the network.(3)
Within 15 business days after notifying a Level 2 applicant that the application is complete, the public utility must perform an initial review of the proposed interconnection to determine whether the interconnection meets the applicable criteria. During this initial review, the public utility may, at its own expense, conduct any studies or tests it deems necessary to evaluate the proposed interconnection and provide notice to the applicant of one of the following determinations:(a)
The net metering facility meets the applicable requirements and that interconnection will be approved following any required inspection of the facility and fully executed interconnection agreement. Within three business days after this notice, the public utility will provide the applicant with an executable interconnection agreement;(b)
The net metering facility failed to meet one or more of the applicable requirements, but the public utility determined that the net metering facility may be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality. In this case, the public utility will notify the applicant that the interconnection will be approved following any required inspection of the facility and fully executed interconnection agreement. Within five business days after this notice, the public utility will provide the applicant with an executable interconnection agreement;(c)
The net metering facility failed to meet one or more of the applicable requirements, but additional review may enable the public utility to determine that the net metering facility may be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality. In such a case, the public utility will offer to perform additional review to determine whether minor modifications to the electric distribution system would enable the interconnection to be made consistent with safety, reliability and power quality. The public utility will provide to the applicant a nonbinding, good faith estimate of the costs of such additional review, or such minor modifications, or both. The public utility will undertake the additional review or modifications only after the applicant consents to pay for the review or modifications, or both; or(d)
The net metering facility failed to meet one or more of the applicable requirements, and that additional review would not enable the public utility to determine that the net metering facility could be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality. In such a case, the public utility will notify the applicant that the interconnection application has been denied, and will provide an explanation of the reason(s) for the denial, including a list of additional information, or modifications to the net metering facility, or both, which would be required in order to obtain an approval under Level 2 interconnection procedures.(4)
An applicant that receives an interconnection agreement under subsection (3)(a) or (3)(b) of this rule must:(a)
Execute the agreement and return it to the public utility at least 10 business days prior to starting operation of the net metering facility (unless the public utility does not so require); and(b)
Indicate to the public utility the anticipated start date for operation of the net metering facility.(5)
The public utility may require a public utility inspection of a net metering facility for compliance with these net metering rules prior to operation, and may require and arrange for witness of commissioning tests as set forth in IEEE standards. The public utility must schedule any inspections or tests under this section promptly and within a reasonable time after submittal of the application. The applicant may not begin operating the net metering facility until after the inspection and testing is completed.(6)
Approval of interconnected operation of any Level 2 net metering facility must be conditioned on all of the following occurring:(a)
Approval of the interconnection by the electrical code official with jurisdiction over the interconnection;(b)
Successful completion of any public utility inspection or witnessing, or both, of commissioning tests requested by the public utility; and(c)
Passing of the planned start date provided by the applicant.(7)
If an application for Level 2 interconnection review is denied because it does not meet one or more of the requirements in this section, the applicant may resubmit the application under the Level 3 interconnection review procedure.
Source:
Rule 860-039-0035 — Level 2 Net Metering Interconnection Review, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=860-039-0035.