Minnesota PUC launches effort to accelerate solar energy connections to grid

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission is requiring Xcel Energy to implement new ways to review solar projects that file an application to connect to the grid.

In addition, Xcel will also pilot group application reviews, roll out a customer cost sharing proposal for system upgrades, and report back to the commission on its progress.

The commission’s decision is due to an increasing volume of interconnection applications, high numbers of already connected solar, as well as complaints of significant delays affecting customers who apply to connect solar projects to the grid.

“Minnesota utilities, especially Xcel Energy, have experienced significantly increased customer interest in solar energy, requiring evolved and improved interconnection practices,” Commissioner Matthew Schuerger said. “The measures adopted today will put Xcel on a better path forward in support of safe, reliable, and timely interconnection of proposed solar projects.”

By the end of 2020, Minnesota utilities had interconnected 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of distributed energy, including a total of 11,377 customer-sited, utility, and community solar garden systems.

As of Jan. 1, 2022, Xcel Energy’s public queue alone had an additional 1,708 applications totaling 490 megawatts (MW) awaiting interconnection.

This move by the commission complements the Minnesota Distributed Energy Resources Interconnection Process (MN DIP). This set of statewide standards details the process utilities use to review applications to connect distributed generation projects to the grid and develop interconnection agreements with applicants. Minnesota is seeing mostly solar projects, but interconnection standards apply to all distributed energy resources.