Section Puc 904.05 - Installation and Interconnection of Facility(a) Upon receipt of an application signed by the distribution utility, the customer-generator may install the generating facility.(b) Following installation of the facility, the customer-generator shall arrange for inspection of the completed installation by the local building inspector or, if one is not available, a New Hampshire licensed electrician.(c) The person who inspects the installation pursuant to (b) above shall sign a certificate of completion.(d) If the facility was installed by an electrical contractor, the customer-generator shall also have the contractor complete a certificate of completion.(e) When the customer-generator has obtained the certifications required pursuant to (c) and (d) above, the customer-generator shall provide to the distribution utility a copy of the certificate(s) of completion.(f) Following receipt of the certificate(s) of completion, the distribution utility may inspect the customer-generator's facility for compliance with interconnection standards by arranging for a witness test.(g) Until a witness test has been performed, the customer-generator shall not operate in parallel with the electric distribution system, unless a witness test has been previously waived by the distribution utility on the application form.(h) If the distribution utility elects to conduct a witness test, the distribution utility shall attempt to conduct it within 10 business days of the receipt of the certificate(s) of completion.(i) All projects larger than 10 kilowatts shall be subject to a witness test, unless the distribution utility has waived the witness test on the application form.(j) If the witness test shows that the facility has been correctly installed and is functioning without jeopardizing the safety, reliability, or power quality of the distribution system, the distribution utility shall notify the customer-generator in writing that the interconnection is authorized.(k) If the witness test results indicate that the facility installation jeopardizes the safety, reliability, or power quality of the distribution system, the distribution utility shall disconnect the facility, provided that the distribution utility informs the customer-generator in writing of the specific actions are required to address the safety, reliability, or power quality issues as necessary to permit approval of the facility interconnection.(l) If the customer-generator does not substantially complete construction of the facility within 12 months after receiving application approval from the distribution utility, the distribution utility shall require the customer-generator to reapply for interconnection.(m) With respect to any facility with a capacity size up to 25 kilowatts that does not interface with the electric distribution system by means of an inverter, the distribution utility shall have a period of 75 days from the initial filing of the interconnection application to:(1) Assess the proposed facility and the customer-generator's site characteristics;(2) Communicate with the customer-generator regarding adequate protective interface devices; and(3) Allow the applicant to interconnect or provide to the customer-generator specific written reasons for objecting to interconnection of the facility.(n) If the customer-generator and the distribution utility agree that the application reasonably requires more time before the distribution utility responds as provided in (m) above, as applicable, they may agree to extend the deadline for response.(o) Except as provided in (n) above, if the distribution utility is not able to respond to the applicant within the 10-day review period for inverter-based systems or the 75-day review period for non-inverter-based facilities, and the customer-generator does not agree to an extension of the response time, the distribution utility shall: (1) Notify the commission and the customer-generator in writing no later than the expiration of the relevant period;(2) Petition the commission for an extension of a specified time period; and(3) Cite the specific reasons why the deadline was not met and the basis for the length of the requested extension.(p) The commission shall grant an extension for review of the application for the shortest time reasonable, if any, if it determines that it is necessary to provide the distribution utility additional time to assess the effect of the proposal on safety, reliability, or power quality of the electric distribution system in light of:(1) The complexity of the characteristics of the site;(2) The complexity of the proposed generation and interconnection facilities; or(3) Delay occasioned by: a. Failure of the customer-generator to timely provide to the distribution utility information necessary to assess the potential impact of the system on safety, reliability or power quality of the electric distribution system;b. Untimely response by the customer-generator to the distribution utility in response to a distribution utility request for information; orc. Circumstances beyond the control of the distribution utility that prevent the utility from responding within the time limits established by this section.(q) The distribution utility shall notify the customer-generator as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than 30 days following the filing of an application for interconnection of a facility, of any required information not included in the customer-generator's interconnection application that the customer-generator has indicated is complete.(r) If the distribution utility has not met the applicable deadline for responding to a completed application pursuant to (m) above and has not petitioned for an extension pursuant to (o) and (p) above, the customer-generator may: (1) Contact the distribution utility and the commission and request resolution; or(2) File a complaint with the commission.(s) Prior to operation, during normal business hours, the customer-generator shall: (1) Provide the distribution utility the opportunity to inspect the facility; and(2) Upon request, demonstrate to the distribution utility the operation of the facility.(t) The distribution utility shall interconnect with any customer-generator which: (1) Receives electric service from the distribution utility;(2) Has completed the application process required by this section; and(3) Has installed a net energy metering facility that complies with the interconnection and technical specification requirements of Puc 900.(u) Facilities that meet the interconnection requirements of Puc 900 shall not be required by the distribution utility to meet additional requirements, perform or pay for additional tests, or pay additional interconnection-related charges, except as otherwise provided.(v) Nothing in (u) above shall prohibit a party from requesting that the commission grant a rule waiver, pursuant to Puc 201.05, with respect to any net-metered facility, to require additional interconnection requirements, performance of or payment for additional tests, or payment of additional interconnection-related charges.(w) A customer-generator, distribution company, or electricity supplier may install additional controls or meters or conduct additional tests, in addition to those required by Puc 900, but if entry to the customer-generator's premises is necessary, it shall first obtain consent to access the premises pursuant to Puc 908.03.(x) The expenses associated with any additional tests, meters, or equipment described in (w) above, shall be borne by the party requiring the additional tests, meters, or equipment.(y) For facilities larger than 25 kilowatts, the distribution utility shall require a site-specific interconnection review that may require additional protective equipment and may exceed the 75-day time frame by up to an additional 60 days.N.H. Admin. Code § Puc 904.05
#7424, eff 1-12-01; ss by #9353, INTERIM, eff 1-12-09, EXPIRED: 7-11-09
New. #9515, eff 7-18-09; ss by #9998, eff 9-20-11
Amended by Volume XL Number 33, Filed August 13, 2020, Proposed by #13080, Effective 9/14/2020, Expires 9/14/2030