Interconnection Standards

Summary

Through statutory authority, Kansas allows residential renewable energy facilities of up to 25 kilowatts (kW) and commercial facilities of up to 100 kW to connect to the utility grid. However, there are currently no statewide uniform interconnection standards for these systems, and Kansas does not have a net-metering law. All that is currently specified is a utility's option to enforce any safety, equipment or power-quality requirements it deems appropriate. Utilities may also install a manual external disconnect device if the customer refuses to do so. Legislation enacted in April 2003 (HB 2018) required the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to develop uniform interconnection standards for all distributed renewable-energy systems up to 5 megawatts (MW) in capacity. To implement this law, the KCC initiated a proceeding (Docket No. 04-GIME-080-GIE); this proceeding is still in progress. When adopted, the resulting rules will apply to rural electric co-ops, municipal utilities and investor-owned utilities.