Section 466.60  General Requirements

a)         When an interconnection request for a DER facility includes multiple energy production devices at a site for which the applicant seeks a single point of interconnection, the interconnection request shall be evaluated based on the aggregate nameplate capacity of the multiple devices.  Where the export capacity is limited through acceptable means as defined in Section 466.75, the EDC shall evaluate only the aggregate export capacity for certain impacts as specified in the screening and study provisions.

b)         When an interconnection request is for an increase in capacity for an existing DER facility, the interconnection request shall be evaluated based on the incremental impact of the new total nameplate capacity of the DER facility.  Where the export capacity is limited through acceptable means as defined in Section 466.75, the EDC shall evaluate only the aggregate export capacity for certain impacts as specified in the screening and study provisions.

c)         EDCs shall publish on their websites a dedicated email address and phone number as a point of contact.  The point of contact shall be able to direct applicant questions concerning interconnection request submissions and the interconnection request process to knowledgeable individuals within the EDC.

d)         The information that the EDC makes available to potential applicants can include previously existing EDC studies that help applicants understand whether it is feasible to interconnect a DER facility at a particular point on the EDC's electric distribution system.  The EDC may require a confidentiality agreement prior to release of this information.  However, the EDC can refuse to provide the information to the extent that providing it violates security requirements or confidentiality agreements, or it is contrary to law or State or federal regulations.

e)         The EDC shall deem an interconnection request complete when the applicant submits completed forms.

f)         When an applicant is not currently a customer of the EDC at the proposed site, the applicant shall provide, at the time of the interconnection request, proof of the applicant's legal right to control the site, evidenced by the applicant's name on a property tax bill, deed, lease agreement, option agreement, or other legally binding contract.

g)         An interconnection request shall be processed in accordance with Sections 466.90(b)(2), 466.100(b)(2), 466.110(a)(2), and 466.120(b) of this Part.

h)         To minimize the cost to interconnect multiple DER facilities, the EDC or the applicant may propose a single point of interconnection for multiple DER facilities located at an interconnection customer site that is on contiguous property.  If the applicant rejects the EDC's proposal for a single point of interconnection, the applicant shall pay any additional cost to provide a separate point of interconnection for each DER facility.  If the EDC, without written and detailed technical explanation, rejects the customer's proposal for a single point of interconnection, the EDC shall pay any additional cost to provide separate points of interconnection for each DER facility.  Any disagreement over who bears the cost for providing separate points of interconnection shall be resolved in accordance with Section 466.130.

i)          To protect the safety of the EDC's employees or the reliability of the distribution system, EDCs may require that DER facilities have the capability to be isolated from the electric distribution system.  For DER facilities interconnecting to a primary line, the isolation shall be by means of a lockable, visible-break isolation device accessible by the EDC.  For DER facilities interconnecting to a secondary line, the isolation shall be by means of a lockable isolation device whose status is indicated and is accessible by the EDC.  For DER facilities interconnecting to a secondary line through a self-contained meter, the EDC's removal of the self-contained electric meter may satisfy this capability.  The isolation device shall be installed, owned and maintained by the owner of the DER facility and located electrically between the DER facility and the point of interconnection.  A draw-out type of circuit breaker accessible to the EDC with a provision for padlocking at the drawn-out position satisfies the requirement for an isolation device.

j)          The interconnection customer shall allow the EDC to isolate the DER facility.  An interconnection customer may elect to provide the EDC with access to an isolation device that is contained in a building or area that may be unoccupied and locked or not otherwise accessible to the EDC by installing a lockbox provided by the EDC that allows ready access to the isolation device.  The lockbox shall be in a location determined by the EDC to be accessible by the EDC.  The interconnection customer shall permit the EDC to affix a placard in a location of its choosing that provides instructions to EDC operating personnel for accessing the isolation device.  If the EDC needs to isolate the distribution generation facility, the EDC shall not be held liable for any damages resulting from the actions necessary to isolate the generation facility.

k)         Any metering required for a DER interconnection shall be installed, operated, and maintained in accordance with applicable EDC tariffs and agreements.  Any such metering requirements shall be identified in the standard DER interconnection agreement executed between the interconnection customer and the EDC.

l)          EDC monitoring and control of DER facilities are permitted only when the nameplate capacity is greater than 2 MVA or for a DER facility with a nameplate capacity equal to or less than 2 MVA when the EDC determines, and the applicant agrees, that such monitoring and control could be used to mitigate impacts from the project that may otherwise require an upgrade or would otherwise be useful or beneficial.  Monitoring and control requirements shall be consistent with the EDC's published requirements and shall be clearly identified in the interconnection agreement between the interconnection customer and the EDC.  Transfer trip shall not be considered EDC monitoring and control when required and installed to protect the electric distribution system or an affected system against adverse system impacts.  However, transfer trip, if required, shall be clearly identified in the interconnection agreement between the interconnection customer and the EDC.

m)        The EDC may require a witness test after the DER facility is constructed.  The applicant shall provide the EDC with at least 15 business days' notice of the planned commissioning test for the DER facility, unless otherwise agreed by the EDC and applicant.  The applicant and EDC shall schedule the witness test at a mutually agreeable time.  If the witness test results are not acceptable to the EDC, the applicant shall be granted 30 business days to address and resolve any deficiencies.  The time period for addressing and resolving any deficiencies may be extended upon the mutual agreement of the EDC and the applicant prior to the end of the 30 business days.  The EDC shall not deny an initial request for extension.  Subsequent requests may be denied only if there are applicants later in the queue that would be impacted by additional delays.  If the applicant fails to address and resolve the deficiencies to the EDC's satisfaction, the EDC may deem the interconnection request withdrawn.  Even if the EDC or an entity approved by the EDC does not witness a commissioning test, the applicant remains obligated to satisfy the interconnection test specifications and requirements set forth in IEEE Standard 1547 Clause 11.  The applicant shall, if requested by the EDC, provide a copy of all documentation in its possession regarding testing conducted pursuant to IEEE Standard 1547.1.

n)         Each EDC shall allow interconnection requests to be submitted through the EDC's website or via another website if a link is provided on the EDC's website.

o)         Each EDC shall dedicate a page on its website to interconnection procedures.  The relevant website page shall include the following information updated as it changes or with the frequency specifically identified in this subsection:

1)         the EDC's interconnection procedures and attachments in an electronically searchable format;

2)         the EDC's interconnection request forms in a format that allows for electronic entry of data;

3)         the EDC's interconnection agreements;

4)         the EDC's point of contact for questions about interconnection and submission of interconnection requests, including a dedicated e-mail address and phone number;

5)         the EDC's interconnection queue;

6)         the EDC's hosting capacity map;

7)         for EDCs serving more than 500,000 customers, the EDC's hosting capacity analysis results, including, at a minimum, mapping and GIS capability; and

8)         an electronic form to request the technical standards required by Section 466.140(d).

p)         Each EDC shall allow electronic signatures to be used for interconnection requests and agreements.

q)         Each EDC shall accept electronic payments for interconnection fees and study costs.

r)          Nothing in this Part shall be interpreted to limit the ability of EDCs and interconnection customers to enter into an agreement to allow the EDC to actively communicate with and control the interconnection customer's smart inverter in order to reduce the facilities and costs associated with interconnection upgrade or as would otherwise be useful or beneficial.

(Source:  Amended at 46 Ill. Reg. 9666, effective May 26, 2022)