Distributed Generation Working Group

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On January 23, 2012, the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) established a Distributed Generation (DG) Working Group to develop recommendations for changes to the Uniform Standards for Interconnection Standards for Distributed Generation. The Working Group, which included representatives of DOER, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, the distribution utilities, distributed generators, and customers, filed its final report (9/14/12).

On March 13, 2013, the DPU issued an Order (DPU 11-75-E) approving the recommendations in the DG Working Group Report filed in August 2011 and directed the utilities to file compliance tariffs within 30 days. On May 2, 2013 the DPU stamp approved the utility compliance tariffs. As a result, the new interconnection tariffs proposed by the DGWG and the associated timelines and policies are now in effect.

DOER is hosting this page to make available additional materials associated with the Distributed Generation Working Group. DOER will continue to use this page to document the implementation of the recommendations of the Distributed Generation Working Group.

IMPORTANT UPDATES (as of May 2020)
COVID-19 VIRUS UPDATE: The Distribution Companies have issued Force Majeure notices to interconnection customers regarding impacts of the COVID-19 virus on interconnection processes. See the DPU's Force Majeure web page for more.

Regulatory updates on interconnection are available through the File Room for DPU-19-55 covering storage, cost allocation, qualifying facilities, smart inverters, ASO Study, timeline enforcement, and FERC vs. state jurisdictional issues. See also the File Room for DPU-17-164 covering group study.**

DG Working Group Report and Implementation Documents

DOER filed a petition to revise interconnection standards in August 2011.
On September 14, 2012, the Distributed Generation Working Group filed its final report for Proposed Changes to the Uniform Standards for Interconnecting Distributed Generation in Massachusetts.
Redlined Tariff for DG Interconnection Standards, October 31, 2012. This document shows recommended changes to the utility interconnection tariffs to implement the recommendations of the DG Working Group.
On October 2, 2013, Members of the DG Working Group filed a Time Frame Enforcement Proposal.
Group Study and Penetration Screen revisions: On September 30, 2014, the utilities filed revisions to the interconnection tariff with (1) a Group Study approach consistent with stakeholder input during the 2013 DG Working Group meetings, and (2) revision to the Penetration Screen from 67% of minimum load to 100%. On February 4, 2015, DPU directed the utilities to file Compliance Tariffs with various Group Study and Enforcement changes. On June 1, 2015 the DPU issued an Order approving the revised utility tariffs.
Additional documents filed in Docket 11-75 can be found by entering "11-75" at the DPU File Room.

Key Background Materials

The Massachusetts Distributed Generation Interconnection Report filed by DOER on August 18, 2011
DOER's Joint Comments filed with 15 Distributed Generation stakeholders recommending the creation of the Distributed Generation Working Group, October 2011

This filing includes the complete list of recommendations to be addressed by the Distributed Generation Working Group (see Attachment A in the filing)

The DPU order Establishing a Distributed Generation Working Group, January 23, 2012
On March 13, 2013, the DPU issued an Order (DPU 11-75-E | Appendix A) approving the Timeline of the agreement in the DG Working Group Report and addressed a number of issues. See DOER's Summary of DPU 11-75-E.
Additional documents filed in Docket 11-75 can be found by entering "11-75" at the DPU File Room
Utility distributed generation interconnection reporting template (choose "file" and "download" at Google Docs for the file)