Section R. 460.946 - Fast track; initial reviewRule 46.
(1) An electric utility shall list in its interconnection procedures the initial review screens specified in subrule (5) of this rule. An electric utility may add additional details to each of these screens in the interconnection procedures.(2) An electric utility may include additional initial review screens in its interconnection procedures. In its application requesting approval of interconnection procedures, an electric utility shall provide a detailed technical rationale for including each additional screen. If an additional screen conflicts with or undermines any of the initial review screens specified in subrule (5) of this rule, the rationale must include an explanation of how it does so.(3) The electric utility may waive application of 1, some, or all of the initial review screens.(4) Within 10 business days after an electric utility receives a complete and conforming level 1 or level 2 application and associated payment, or within 20 business days after an electric utility receives a complete and conforming level 3, level 4, or level 5 application and associated payment, the electric utility shall perform an initial review and notify the applicant of the results. The initial review must consist of applying the initial review screens selected by the electric utility pursuant to subrule (3) of this rule to the proposed DER. The electric utility shall not require a supplemental review or a system impact study if the DER passes the applied initial review screens.(5) The initial review screens are all of the following: (a) The entire proposed DER, including all aggregated site generation and point or points of interconnection, must be located within the electric utility's service territory.(b) For interconnection of a proposed DER to a radial distribution circuit, the aggregated generation, including the proposed DER, on the circuit may not exceed 15% of the line section annual peak load as most recently measured or calculated if measured data is not available. A line section is that portion of an electric utility's distribution system connected to a customer bounded by automatic sectionalizing devices or the end of the distribution line. The electric utility shall consider 100% of applicable loading, if available, instead of 15% of line section peak load for level 1 and level 2 DER. In the event daytime loading data is not available, the data must be collected by a date specified in interconnection procedures approved by the commission, and is not considered as part of the aggregate generation, for purposes of this screen, DER capacity known to be already reflected in the minimum load data. This screen does not apply to level 1 and level 2 non-export DER applications.(c) For interconnection of a proposed DER to the load side of network protectors, the proposed DER must utilize an inverter-based equipment package and, together with the aggregated other inverter-based DERs, may not exceed the smaller of 5% of a network's maximum load or 50 kWac.(d) The proposed DER, in aggregation with other DERs on the distribution circuit, may not contribute more than 10% to the distribution circuit's maximum fault current at the point on the primary voltage nearest the proposed point of common coupling. This screen does not apply to level 1 applications.(e) The proposed DER, in aggregate with other DERs on the distribution circuit, may not cause any distribution protective devices and equipment or interconnection customer equipment on the system to exceed 87.5% of the short circuit interrupting capability. An interconnection may not be proposed for a circuit that already exceeds 87.5% of the short circuit interrupting capability. Distribution protective devices and equipment include, but are not limited to, substation breakers, fuse cutouts, and line reclosers. This screen does not apply to level 1 applications.(f) The initial review screen determines the type of interconnection to a primary distribution line for the proposed DER, according to the requirements specified in the table in this subdivision. This screen includes a review of the type of electrical service provided to the applicant, including line configuration and the transformer connection to limit the potential for creating over-voltages on the electric utility's distribution system due to a loss of ground during the operating time of any anti-islanding function. Primary Distribution Line Type | Type of Interconnection to Primary Distribution Line | Result |
3-phase, 3 wire | 3-phase or single phase, phase-to-phase | Pass screen |
3-phase, 4 wire | Effectively-grounded 3-phase or single-phase, line-to-neutral | Pass screen |
(g) If the proposed DER is to be interconnected on single-phase shared secondary, the aggregate generation capacity on the shared secondary, including the proposed DER export capacity, may not exceed 20 kWac or 65% of the transformer nameplate rating.(h) If the proposed DER is single-phase and is to be interconnected on a center tap neutral of a 240 volt service, its addition may not create an imbalance between the 2 sides of the 240 volt service of more than 20% of the nameplate rating of the service transformer.(i) If the proposed DER is single-phase and is to be interconnected to a 3-phase service, its nameplate rating may not exceed 10% of the service transformer nameplate rating.(j) If the proposed DER's point of common coupling is behind a line voltage regulator, the DER's nameplate rating must be less than 250 kWac. This screen does not include substation voltage regulators.(6) If the proposed interconnection passes the initial review screens, or if the proposed interconnection fails the screens but the electric utility determines that the DER may be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality standards, the electric utility shall notify the applicant. If a facilities study is not required, the interconnection application must proceed under R 460.964 to an interconnection agreement. If a facilities study is required, the interconnection application must proceed under R 460.962.(7) If the proposed interconnection fails any of the initial review screens, and the electric utility does not or cannot determine that the DER may be interconnected consistent with safety, reliability, and power quality standards, the electric utility shall notify the applicant, provide the applicant with the results of the application of the initial review screens, and offer all of the following options: (a) Attend a customer options meeting, as described in R 460.948.(b) Proceed to supplemental review under R 460.950.(c) Submit within 60 business days from the date of the electric utility notification, with up to 2 submissions during this time period, a complete and conforming revised interconnection application that includes application modifications offered or required by the electric utility. The application modifications must mitigate or eliminate the factors that caused the interconnection application to fail 1 or more of the initial review screens. After each submission of information, the electric utility has 10 business days to notify the applicant that the interconnection application is either accepted or rejected due to continuing deficiencies. If the applicant does not meet the timelines required by this subrule, the electric utility may withdraw the application. After the electric utility determines the application is accepted, the revised interconnection application must proceed under subrule (4) of this rule.(d) Withdraw the interconnection application.(8) If the applicant does not select a course of action under subrule (7) of this rule within 10 business days of notice from the electric utility, the electric utility shall withdraw the interconnection application.Mich. Admin. Code R. 460.946
2023 MR 8, Eff. 4/25/2023