Interconnection Guidelines

May 29, 2024

Summary

Kansas adopted the Net Metering and Easy Connection Act in May 2009 (see K.S.A. 66-1263 through 66-1271), establishing interconnection guidelines and net metering for customer-owned generators.

Generators must meet all applicable safety, performance, interconnection and reliability standards established by the National Electrical Code, the National Electrical Safety Code, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Underwriters Laboratories, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and any local governing authorities. The Kansas Corporation Commission adopted rules (K.A.R. 82-17-1 through 82-17-5) to implement the statute’s interconnection and reliability standards in July 2010. These rules are limited, and they include additional protection for the utility in the event of disruptive problems to the utility's system caused by a net-metered facility.

Process

The utility must provide a bi-directional meter to the customer at no additional cost to the customer. The utility may not require a customer-generator to purchase additional liability insurance if all safety and interconnection requirements are met. However, utilities are authorized to require interconnected customers to install an external disconnect switch.

System Capacity Requirements

Net metering and the accompanying interconnection guidelines apply to systems that generate electricity using solar, wind, methane, biomass, or hydro resources and to fuel cells using hydrogen produced by an eligible renewable technology.

Eligible systems in operation prior to July 1, 2014, must have a rated capacity of:

  • 25 kW or less for residential customers and
  • 200 kW or less for non-residential customers.

Eligible systems in operation on or after July 1, 2014, must have a rated capacity of:

  • 15 kW or less for residential customers,
  • 100 kW or less for non-residential customers, and
  • 150 kW for any postsecondary educational institution or any public or private school which provides instruction for students enrolled in grade kindergarten or grades one through 12.

Program Overview

Implementing Sector: State
Category: Regulatory Policy
State: Kansas
Incentive Type: Interconnection
Web Site:
Administrator:
Start Date:
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies:
  • Solar Thermal Electric
  • Solar Photovoltaics
  • Wind (All)
  • Biomass
  • Hydroelectric
  • Landfill Gas
  • Wind (Small)
  • Hydroelectric (Small)
  • Fuel Cells using Renewable Fuels
Applicable Utilities: Investor-owned utilities
System Capacity Limit: 200 kW for non-residential; 25 kW for residential (before July 1, 2014)
100 kW for non-residential; 15 kW for residential (on or after July 1, 2014)
Standard Agreement: Yes
Insurance Requirements: "Additional" liability insurance not required for systems that meet certain technical standards
External Disconnect Switch: Utility's discretion
Net Metering Required: Yes

Authorities

Name: Kansas Statutes 66-1263, et seq.
Date Enacted: 5/22/2009
Effective Date: 7/1/2009
Name: K.A.R. 82-17-1, et seq.
Date Enacted: 7/9/2010

Contact

Name: Electric -- Kansas Corporation Commission
Organization: Kansas Corporation Commission
Address: 1500 SW Arrowhead Road
Topeka KS 66604-4027
Phone: (785) 271-3220

This information is sourced from DSIRE; the most comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that support renewables and energy efficiency in the United States. Established in 1995, DSIRE is operated by the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center at N.C. State University.