Arkansas | Interconnection Grade
For states that have adopted statewide interconnection policies, Freeing the Grid scored them based on criteria that fall under the list of categories included below:
- Rule Applicability
- Streamlined Review
- Modifications
- Timelines & Efficiency
- Interconnection Costs & Requirements
- Updated Standards & Export Provisions
- Initial Review Screens
- Supplemental Review Screens
- Data Sharing & Reporting
- Dispute Resolution
Interconnection policies specify the processes, timelines, and costs associated with connecting distributed energy resources—like solar and energy storage systems—safely and reliably to the grid.
Because Arkansas has not adopted statewide interconnection procedures, it is recommended that state policymakers standardize interconnection processes and practices through the following actions:
Adopt statewide interconnection rules that apply to all state-jurisdictional generator interconnections to standardize the processes, timelines, costs, and reporting requirements across all utility territories.
Where to Start
- Review the Freeing the Grid Interconnection Grade Criteria to learn more about key provisions within state interconnection rules that impact the efficiency, clarity, transparency, and overall cost of connecting distributed energy resources to the grid
- The Building A Technically Reliable Interconnection Evolution for Storage (BATRIES) Toolkit and Guidance for the Interconnection of Energy Storage and Solar-Plus-Storage includes model language and recommendations for streamlining the integration of energy storage and solar-plus-storage with the grid
- IREC’s 2023 Model Interconnection Procedures provide model language based on more than a decade of regulatory engagement in states across the country and reflecting the latest best practices to enable faster and less costly interconnection of distributed energy resources, while maintaining safety and reliability
Noteworthy Best Practices
This section highlights noteworthy interconnection best practices, from among the evaluation criteria. States that are in the process of developing or revising their interconnection procedures should consider adopting these practices which are critical to the effective integration of energy storage, the provision of information to interconnection applicants, and the incorporation of IEEE 1547-2018.
ENERGY STORAGE
To improve clarity and enable the operational capabilities of storage, states should include energy storage as an eligible technology in their interconnection rules, incorporate the concept of export capacity, and identify acceptable export control methods.
TRANSPARENCY
To improve data sharing, states should require pre-application reports, detailed screening and study results, itemized upgrade cost estimates, and at least monthly public queue reporting that allows for the tracking of interconnection process steps.
IEEE 1547-2018
To update and clarify interconnection requirements, states should incorporate the IEEE 1547-2018 Standard and identify performance categories as well as voltage and frequency settings.