Many on-site generators need to connect to the electric grid either for backup and standby power, or for “net-metering,” which is a means of selling excess electricity to the grid. Interconnection standards specify the technical, contractual, metering, and rate rules that system owners and utilities must abide by. The interconnection process can be quite complex due to the wide array of technical and regulatory requirements of various governing bodies and utilities.

Most states do have statewide interconnection policies, however they vary greatly amongst and within states based on factors like generating capacity, how the electricity is generated, and whether or not the generator is net-metered. Some statewide standards only apply to investor-owned utilities (IOUs), not to municipal and electric cooperatives. Even in states with statewide policies the customer will often have to negotiate directly with the utilities, and in states without statewide policies it is entirely up to the utilities.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has standards for interconnection at the transmission level, and standards at the distribution level are typically regulated by a state’s public utilities commission. The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engines (IEEE) has standardized technical interconnection protocols that are used by some states.

For states without statewide policies, the customer must negotiate directly the local utility.

The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) provides state-by-state and federal information on economic incentives and regulations for renewable energy and energy efficiency. The U.S.Department of Energy (DOE) has a website with information on interconnection regulations and technologies.