This information is summarized from the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) Standardized Interconnection Requirements and Application Process for New Distributed Generators 2 MW or Less Connected in Parallel with Utility Distribution Systems, and is meant for summary overview only. To review the applications steps in greater detail, please review the PSC document by clicking here.
Application Steps for Customers Installing Systems that Generate 25 kw or Less
STEP 1: Contact RG&E
You can discuss your project electronically using our secure online system, by mail or by calling 1.800.572.1111. You can begin by making an inquiry or by completing an application.
STEP 2: RG&E Reviews Your Application to Determine the Nature of Your Project
We’ll contact you to determine the scope of the interconnection to determine what specific information and documents will be needed. The preliminary technical feasibility of the project at the proposed location may also be discussed at this time. All such information and a copy of the standardized interconnection requirements (SIR) will be sent to you within three business days following your initial communication per PSC requirements, unless you indicate otherwise. You will be provided with a single point of contact for your project.
STEP 3: You File an Application
You submit an application. A complete application includes:
- A letter of authorization by the customer (if you are acting as an agent for the customer),
- The standard single page application form completed and signed by the applicant,
- A signed copy of the standardized contract,
- A three line diagram for the system identifying the manufacturer and model number of the equipment(s),
- A copy of the manufacturer’s data sheet for the equipment(s),
- A copy of the manufacturers verification test procedure(s) and
- A copy of the equipment(s) certification to UL 1741 (November 2005 revision) if applicable.
If the application is not complete, then within five business days of receipt of the application package we will notify you in writing, detailing what elements of your application are missing.
If the proposed system meets the SIR technical requirements we will return a signed and executed standardized contract to you within ten business days of receiving the application and you may begin installation.
If the proposed system does not meet the SIR technical requirements, we will notify you in writing within ten business days of receiving the application and explain the technical issues or problems.
STEP 4: System Installation
You will install the system according to RG&E’s accepted design and the equipment manufacturer’s requirements.
STEP 5: Facility Testing in Accordance with the Standardized Interconnection Requirements
You will perform verification testing in accordance with the written verification test procedure provided by the equipment manufacturer. The verification testing will be conducted within ten business days of system installation at time agreed to by you and by RG&E, and RG&E will have the opportunity to witness the tests. If we are not present during testing, you must notify us in writing (within five days of testing) that the system has been installed and tested in compliance with the SIR, RG&E’s accepted design and the equipment manufacturer’s instructions. Your facility will be allowed to commence parallel operation upon satisfactory completion of the tests in Step 5. You must have complied with and must continue to comply with all contractual and technical requirements.
STEP 6: Final Acceptance
Within five business days of receiving the written test notification from Step 5, either RG&E will issue formal letter of acceptance for interconnection to you, or RG&E will request that we set a date and time for an on-site verification and witness operation of the system. This joint on-site verification must be completed within ten business days after being requested. Within five business days of the completion of the on-site verification, RG&E issue either a formal letter of acceptance for interconnection to you or a detailed explanation of the deficiencies in the system.
Application Steps for Customers Installing Systems that Generate More Than 25 kw
STEP 1: Contact RG&E
You can discus your project electronically using our secure online system, by mail or by calling 1.800.743.2110. You can begin by making an inquiry or by completing an application.
STEP 2: RG&E Reviews Your Application to Determine the Nature of Your Project
We’ll contact you to determine the scope of the interconnection to determine what specific information and documents will be needed. The preliminary technical feasibility of the project at the proposed location may also be discussed at this time. All such information and a copy of the standardized interconnection requirements (SIR) will be sent to you within three business days following your initial communication per PSC requirements, unless you indicate otherwise. You will be provided with a single point of contact for your project.
STEP 3: You File an Application
You submit an application, which must include the completed standard application form, a copy of equipment certification to UL 1741 (November 2005 revision) as applicable, a three-line diagram specific to the proposed system, a letter of authorization (if you are an agent for the customer), and payment of a non-refundable $350 application fee (the fee shall be refunded to net metering customer-generators unless applied toward the cost of installing a dedicated transformer). If you complete your project we will apply the payment towards our total cost for interconnection, including the cost of processing the application. Within five business days of receiving the application RG&E will notify you that we received your application and whether we determine it complete.
STEP 4: RG&E Conducts a Preliminary Review and Develops a Cost Estimate for the Coordinated Electric System Interconnection Review (CESIR)
STEP 5: You Commit to the Completion of the CESIR
STEP 6: RG&E Accepts the CESIR
STEP 7: You Commit to RG&E's Construction of RG&E's System Modifications
Together we will execute a standardized contract for interconnection and you will provide an advance payment for RG&E's estimated costs as identified in Step 6 (estimated costs will be reconciled with actual costs in Step 11).
STEP 8: Project Construction
You will build the facility in accordance with the RG&E-accepted design. RG&E will begin construction/installation of system modifications and metering requirements as identified in Step 6. Our system modifications will vary in construction time depending on the extent of work and equipment required (we will agree to a schedule in Step 6).
STEP 9: The Applicant’s Facility is Tested in Accordance With the Standardized Interconnection Requirements
The verification testing will be performed in accordance with the written test procedure provided in Step 5 and any site-specific requirements identified by RG&E in Step 6. The final testing will be conducted within ten business days of system installation at time agreed to by you and by RG&E, and RG&E will have the opportunity to witness the tests. If we are not present during testing, you must notify us in writing (within five days of testing) that the system has been installed and tested in compliance with the SIR, RG&E’s accepted design and the equipment manufacturer’s instructions.
STEP 10: Interconnection
Your facility will be allowed to commence parallel operation upon satisfactory completion of the tests in Step 9. In addition, you must have complied with and must continue to comply with the contractual and technical requirements.
STEP 11: Final Acceptance and Cost Reconciliation
If RG&E witnessed the verification testing, then, within ten ) business days of the test, we will issue either a formal letter of acceptance for interconnection or a detailed explanation of the deficiencies in the system. If RG&E did not witness the verification testing, then, within ten business days of receiving the written test notification from Step 9, either RG&E will issue formal letter of acceptance for interconnection to you, or RG&E will request that we set a date and time for an on-site verification and witness operation of the system. This joint on-site verification must be completed within twenty business days after being requested.
Within ten business days of the completion of the on-site verification, RG&E will issue either a formal letter of acceptance for interconnection or a detailed explanation of the deficiencies in the system. At this time, RG&E will also reconcile actual costs related to your project against the application fee and advance payments you made. You will receive either a bill for any balance due or a reimbursement for overpayment as determined by RG&E's reconciliation, except that a net metering applicant may not be charged in excess of the cost of installing the dedicated transformer(s) or other safety equipment described above in Step 6. You may contest the reconciliation with us, and if you are not satisfied, you may file a formal complaint with the PSC.
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