HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 062221-V - Distributed Energy PolicyRESOLUTION NO. 0(o Z2.Z1 —l/
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, ADOPTING THE DISTRIBUTED ENERGY
RESOURCE (DER) INSTALLATION AND INTERCONNECTION POLICY
AND ESTABLISHING CERTAIN DER APPLICATION AND INSPECTION
FEES; REPEALING CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS; INCLUDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Georgetown's Electric Power Distribution Utility's primary
object is to maintain the safety, reliability and power quality of the electric power distribution
system; and
WHEREAS, the City finds that the adoption of the Distributed Energy Resource (DER)
Installation and Interconnection Policy and establishing DER application and inspection fees
will ensure the safe interconnection of a customer -owned DER installation and the parallel
operation of the City of Georgetown's Electric Power Distribution system.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
GEORGETOWN TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this Resolution are
hereby found and declared to be true and correct and are incorporated by reference herein and
expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim.
SECTION 2. The Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Installation and Interconnection
Policy attached hereto as Exhibit A is hereby adopted by the City.
SECTION 3. The application and inspection fee in the Fee Schedule in Exhibit A hereby
replaces the "photovoltaic/solar panels" miscellaneous permit fee approved by the City Council
in Resolution 082719-S.
SECTION 4. The City Manager or designee is further authorized to execute
Interconnection Agreements pursuant to the DER Policy.
SECTION 5. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this Resolution and the City
Secretary to attest.
Resolution No. Page 1 of 2
Subject: Adoptin DER Pvliry
Date Approved, Z7 &ZA
SECTION 6. This Resolution shall become effective and be in full force and effect on
September 1, 2021.
ATTEST:
PASSED AND APPROVED on the -7VA day of 2021.
CIT
By:
Robyn Densmore, City Secretary
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Syr
Skye asson, City Attorney
Resolution No. Page 2 of 2
Subject: Adopting DER Policy
Date Approved 3tA-y%-f— zo ZA
Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Installation and Interconnection Policy
• The primary objective of the City of Georgetown's Electric Power Distribution Utility (Utility) is to
maintain the safety, reliability, and power quality of the electric power distribution system.
• The purpose of the Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Installation and Interconnection Policy is to
ensure the safe interconnection of a customer -owned DER installation and the parallel operation to
the City of Georgetown's Electric Power Distribution system. It is the Utility's policy to fully
recover all the costs associated with the DER interconnection application review and inspection
process.
• The interconnection and parallel operation of a customer -owned DER System is governed by the
City of Georgetown's fully executed Agreement for Interconnection (IC) and Parallel Operation Of
Distributed Energy Resource (DER). This Policy shall apply to the entire City of Georgetown
electric service territory as defined by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved
Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN).
• The Utility currently authorizes Residential and Small Commercial Customer -owned installation and
interconnection of DER systems up to 10 kW -DC. The Net Energy Metering rate is available to the
DER installations that meet these requirements.
• The Utility's DER interconnection application review and inspection process and the related fees
outlined in this policy DO NOT replace the City of Georgetown's existing electric and construction
permitting processes.
• This policy identifies the DER installation requirements, application submission and processing
guidelines, installation inspection requirements, and the associated fees. All the outlined fees are
non-refundable unless specified otherwise.
• The customer/applicant requesting the DER interconnection is responsible for the DER system
design, installation, compliance with the Utility's requirements, and payment of fees and costs
associated with the DER interconnection application review and inspection process.
• The proposed DER installation and interconnection shall follow DER installation and
interconnection requirements, the electric utility's engineering and construction standards, the
Unified Development Code of the City of Georgetown, and the latest edition of the National Electric
Safety Code (NESC) and National Electric Code (NEC). Any non-compliance with the electric
utility requirements will result in the delay and/or denial of the DER interconnection request.
DER Installation and Interconnection Application Submission and Processing
The DER installation and interconnection application is accepted only through the Utility's authorized
online submission portal. Once the DER installation and interconnection request is received the Utility
will review the application for compliance with the Utility's requirements and notify the
customer/applicant of any objections, perform system impact review, followed by installation inspection,
preparation, and approval of Interconnection Agreement.
Step 1: Application Submission
Customer/applicant registers as an installer on to the Utility's authorized online submission portal by
filling out the Installer Registration Form. If there are not any duplicate entries found or corrections
needed for registration; the registration is approved by the Utility.
Once registered, the installer/customer/applicant submits the DER installation and interconnection
application along with the following items:
• Specifications and Installation drawings and any related information requested.
• Non -Refundable DER installation and interconnection Application Fee
Step 2: Application Review
The Utility will perform an internal review of the complete submitted application. An application
is considered complete only upon receipt of items and application included in Step 1. The
application review entails the following:
a. The applicant is a residential or small general customer (net metering is currently only
applicable to these classes).
b. The proposed system size is 1 OkW or less.
c. Proposed installation and equipment are consistent with specifications and UAL
requirements including automatic disconnect.
d. System Impact Evaluation to determine if any Electric Distribution Infrastructure
Modifications/upgrades are required to accommodate the proposed interconnection. Any
required infrastructure modifications/upgrades will be governed by the Electric Line
Extension and Electric Meter Connect Policy.
2. If the City of Georgetown permitting requirements are met, and the submitted application
complies with Utility standards and requirements, the DER installation and interconnection
application is approved, and the customer is notified.
3. If the proposed DER interconnection requires Electric Distribution Infrastructure modifications or
upgrades the applicant is notified of the need for modifications or upgrades and a Facilities Study
is recommended.
a. The detailed costs of any Electric Distribution Infrastructure
Modifications/upgrades necessary to interconnect the Applicant's proposed DER facility
will be identified in a Facilities Study to be completed by the Utility. The modifications
and/or upgrades identified in the facilities study will be governed by the Line Extension
Policy.
b. A nonrefundable facilities study fee is required to be paid in full if the customer/applicant
wishes to continue through the interconnection process. Please note that the facilities
study fee is for DER systems up to 10 kW -DC by Residential and Small Commercial
Customers.
c. The modifications and/or upgrades identified by the facilities study shall be completed
before the DER application is approved.
Step 3: Installation- Preliminary Inspection
Upon approval of the DER application, the applicant is required to pay a nonrefundable DER
Installation and Inspection Fee. Once installation and inspection fees are paid in full, the Utility
issues the DER Installation Authorization to the applicant. Once the authorization is issued the
applicant is authorized to begin the installation of the DER system at the approved site. The
installer is required to follow the labeling, wiring, and clearance instructions of the approved
installation equipment throughout this process.
2. The applicant can request a preliminary installation inspection to be performed by the Utility by
submitting all the Utility required installation information. The information to be submitted must
comply with the specifications outlined by the Utility. The Utility shall conduct the preliminary
inspection only after the required installation information is submitted.
3. After receiving the required installation information, the Utility shall conduct the preliminary
inspection of the installation to ensure conformity to the interconnection requirements and
guidelines.
4. If the DER installation meets all the interconnection requirements and guidelines, the
installation is approved by the Utility and the Interconnection Agreement (IC) is generated.
Step 4: Installation - Final Inspection and Meter Installation
1. Once the Interconnection Agreement is executed by the customer/applicant, the Utility
conducts a final site installation by the meter technician. The primary objective of the final
inspection is to verify the installation information and to test the auto -disconnect relay. Once all
the requirements are met, the installation passes the final inspection and the bi-directional meter
is installed.
2. If issues, updates, or repairs are identified by the meter technician, the Utility will notify the
customer/ installer of a failed inspection, and the meter will not be installed. In this instance,
the applicant is required to address the issues identified and request a second inspection. The
second inspection and any additional inspections require the payment of a nonrefundable
Additional Inspection Fee per inspection instance.
3. After successful inspection and installation, the Interconnection Agreement is fully executed,
and the customer/installer is notified with permission to operate. The approved and installed
DER system information is updated in the Utility's GIS and billing systems.
Fee Schedule
Fee Description*
Amount
DER installation and interconnection Application Inspection Fee
$250
Facilities Study* *
$1,000
DER Installation and Inspection Fee
$450
Additional Inspection Fee**
$150
*All fees identified as non-refundable
**As needed.