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For an official paper copy, contact the Florida Public Service Commission at contact@psc.state.fl.us or call (850) 413-6770. There may be a charge for the copy.

The following Commissioners participated in the disposition of this matter:

E. LEON JACOBS, JR., Chairman

J. TERRY DEASON

LILA A. JABER

BRAULIO L. BAEZ

MICHAEL A. PALECKI

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF RULE

NOTICE is hereby given that the Florida Public Service Commission, pursuant to Section 120.54, Florida Statutes, has adopted Rule 25-6.065, Florida Administrative Code, relating to interconnection of small photovoltaic systems with changes.

The rule amendments were filed with the Department of State on January 22, 2002 and will be effective on February 11, 2002. A copy of the rule as filed with the Department is attached to this Notice.

This docket is closed upon issuance of this notice.

By ORDER of the Florida Public Service Commission, this 23rd day of January, 2002.

/s/ Blanca S. Bayó

BLANCA S. BAYÓ, Director

Division of the Commission Clerk

and Administrative Services

This is a facsimile copy. Go to the Commission's Web site, http://www.floridapsc.com or fax a request to 1-850-413-7118, for a copy of the order with signature.

( S E A L )

CTM

25-6.065 Interconnection of Small Photovoltaic Systems

(1) A small photovoltaic system (SPS) is a solar powered generating system that uses an inverter rated at no more than 10 kW alternating current (AC) power output and is primarily intended to offset part or all of a customer's current electricity requirements.

(2) Each investor-owned electric utility (utility), within 30 days of the effective date of this rule, shall file for Commission approval a Standard Interconnection Agreement for interconnecting an SPS. Where a utility refuses to interconnect with an SPS or attempts to impose unreasonable standards or conditions, the SPS customer may petition the Commission for relief. The utility shall have the burden of demonstrating to the Commission why interconnection with the SPS should not be required or that the standards or conditions the utility seeks to impose on the SPS are reasonable. The SPS Standard Interconnection Agreement shall, at a minimum, contain the following:

(a) A list of standards approved by nationally recognized professional organizations that address the design, installation, and operation of the SPS. It is the customer's responsibility to ensure compliance with such standards.

(b) A requirement that the SPS must be inspected and approved by local code officials prior to its operation in parallel with an investor-owned electric utility to ensure compliance with applicable local codes.

(c) A requirement for general liability insurance for personal and property damage in the amount of no more than $100,000. A homeowner's policy that furnishes at least this level of liability coverage will meet the requirement for insurance.

(d) Identification of a reasonable charge for processing the application for interconnection.

(e) Provisions that permit the utility to inspect the SPS and its component equipment, and the documents necessary to ensure compliance with subsections (a) through (d). The utility has the right to have personnel present at the initial testing of customer equipment and protective apparatus.

(f) A provision that the customer who operates an SPS is responsible for protecting its generating equipment, inverters, protection devices, and other system components from damage from the normal and abnormal conditions and operations that occur on the utility system in delivering and restoring system power; and is responsible for ensuring that the SPS equipment is inspected, maintained, and tested in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to insure that it is operating correctly and safely.

(3) The SPS Interconnection Agreement may require the customer to:

(a) Install, at the customer's expense, a manual disconnect switch of the visible load break type to provide a separation point between the AC power output of the SPS and any customer wiring connected to the utility's system. The manual disconnect switch shall be mounted separate from the meter socket and shall be readily accessible to the utility and capable of being locked in the open position with a utility padlock. The utility may open the switch, isolating the SPS, without prior notice to the customer. To the extent practicable, however, prior notice shall be given.

(b) Provide a written agreement to hold harmless and indemnify the utility from all loss resulting from the operation of the SPS, except in those cases where loss occurs due to the negligent actions of the utility.

(4) The utility shall provide the customer with written notice that it has received the documents required by the Standard Interconnection Agreement within 10 business days of receipt. The customer shall not begin parallel operations until the customer has received this written notice.

(5) Any of the following conditions shall be cause for the utility to disconnect the SPS from its system:

(a) Utility system emergencies or maintenance requirements;

(b) Hazardous conditions existing on the utility system due to the operation of the customer's SPS generating or protective equipment as determined by the utility;

(c) Adverse electrical effects (such as power quality problems) on the electrical equipment of the utility's other electric consumers caused by the SPS as determined by the utility; or

(d) Failure of the customer to maintain the required insurance.

The SPS shall be reconnected to the utility grid as soon as practical once the conditions causing the disconnection cease to exist.

(6) The utility may install an additional meter or metering equipment on the customer's premises capable of measuring any excess kilowatt-hours produced by the SPS and delivered back to the utility. The cost of the meter, installation, maintenance, and any recurring or non-recurring costs for reading and billing for this second meter shall be borne by the utility. The value of such excess generation shall be credited to the customer's bill based on the host utility's COG-1 tariff, or by other applicable tariffs approved by the Florida Public Service Commission. If the utility does not install such a meter or metering equipment, the utility shall permit the customer to net meter any excess power delivered to the utility by use of a single standard watt-hour meter capable of reversing directions to offset recorded consumption by the customer. If the kilowatt-hour of energy produced by the SPS exceeds the customer's kilowatt-hour consumption for any billing period, such that when the meter is read the value displayed on the register is less than the value displayed on the register when it was read at the end of the previous billing period, the utility shall carry forward credit for the excess energy to the next billing period. Credits may accumulate and be carried forward for a 12-month period specified by the utility in the SPS Interconnection Agreement. In no event shall the customer be paid for excess energy delivered to the utility at the end of the 12-month period.

Specific Authority: 350.127(2), 366.05(1), F.S.

Law Implemented: 366.04(2)(c) (5) (6), 366.041, 366.05(1), 366.81, F.S.

History: New 02/11/02.