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Interconnection is the process of connecting a distributed generation system to the electric grid. Prior to connecting, the distributed generation system owner must obtain written approval from the local utility in the form of an Interconnection Service Agreement and subsequent Authorization to Connect. While emergency generators are not required to follow this process, customers installing emergency generation should contact their utility.

The interconnection process is necessary to protect the reliability and safety of the electric grid. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) regulates this process by requiring utilities to have standardized interconnection tariffs (links to the Interconnection Tariffs in effect as of March 15, 2017, are available at the right of the page).

NOTE: On March 13, 2013, the DPU issued an Order (DPU 11-75-E) approving the Timeline of the recommendations in the DG Working Group Report and directed the utilities to file compliance tariffs within 30 days (stamp approved on May 2, 2013). On July 31, 2014, the DPU issued an Order (DPU 11-75-F) approving a Utility Timeline Enforcement Mechanism filed by DOER and the utilities. More background materials about this Order are available at the Distributed Generation Working Group web page. Starting December 2014 DOER added new Interactive Charts on Utility Performance and Enforcement (see below).

For an overview of the interconnection process, please review the Frequently Asked Questions and a recent utilities' interconnection process workshop presentation.

The detailed legal and engineering requirements for the interconnection process are set out in each utility's interconnection tariff (see links in right sidebar). For certain technical requirements not addressed in the tariff, see also the materials featured on the web page of the MA Technical Standards Review Group.

An interconnection project can follow three possible review paths: simplified, expedited, and standard. The path followed is primarily determined by the technology, size, and complexity of the project.

Interconnection activity

Massachusetts utilities provide monthly reporting on the status of all interconnection applications submitted since January 2009 that follow the expedited or standard review process. The charts below provide an overview of the type and quantity of distributed generation projects that have entered or completed the interconnection process through 2016 (NEW).

Note: The graphs and full data set provided below cover only applications that follow the expedited or standard review processes. They do not include those applications that follow the simplified review process for smaller systems.

Additional Information

Utility Tariffs

NOTE: The above tariffs are the ones effective as of March 13, 2017 as a result of DPU docket 11-75 on interconnection. For more information, see the DPU File Room.

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Aggregate Trends

Application Process Time

Utility Performance Summary

**Download the full data set through February 2017 (re-posted 3/20/17) to see data reported on a project-by-project basis. The link takes users to a preview screen on Google Drive. Choose "file" and "download" for the entire file. Notifications of monthly updates will be posted on the MassGreening Twitter feed.

Since the DPU and DG Working Group members are utilizing this information for performance tracking DOER also provides an update on the status of reporting.

DOER Reporting Update (6/4/13)

DOER Reporting Update (5/2/13)

DOER Reporting Update (3/19/13)