Client here in Memphis applied for solar interconnection with MLGW in February. It's now September and we're still waiting for approval. They keep requesting additional studies and documentation that aren't required under their published interconnection procedures. The system is only 12kW residential - should be simple Level 1 fast track approval. Anyone else seeing these ridiculous delays with MLGW?
MLGW Solar Interconnection Delays - 8 Months and Counting
James, MLGW has been a nightmare for solar interconnection. They're still operating like it's 2005. I had a client wait 11 months for a 6kW system approval. The problem is they don't have standardized procedures and every application gets treated like a custom engineering project. TVA's distributed generation policies are actually pretty good, but MLGW adds their own bureaucratic layers.
Terry, that's exactly what we're experiencing! They asked for electrical drawings, then structural drawings, then soil studies, then property surveys. None of this is required under FERC standards for systems under 20kW. I think they're deliberately making the process difficult to discourage solar adoption.
Have you tried escalating to the MLGW board? I finally got movement on my stuck case by filing a complaint with the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. MLGW suddenly discovered they could approve the interconnection within two weeks. Sometimes you need to apply pressure from above.
Filed TRA complaint last week. MLGW called within 3 days asking what they could do to resolve the issue. Amazing how fast they can move when regulators are watching. System should be interconnected by month end. Thanks for the suggestion, Terry!
James, glad Terry's advice worked! MLGW's solar hostility is well-known here in Memphis. The TRA complaint route is becoming standard operating procedure for solar interconnections. Ridiculous that it takes regulatory pressure to get them to follow their own procedures, but whatever works.