Standardization of Small Generator Interconnection Procedures

Order 2006 standardized the interconnection procedures and agreements for small generators (generally 20 MW or less) seeking to connect to the transmission grid, creating a simplified path parallel to the large generator process established in Order 2003. FERC established the Small Generator Interconnection Procedures (SGIP) and Small Generator Interconnection Agreement (SGIA) as pro forma documents, with two separate screens — a 2 MW screen and a 10 MW screen — providing different levels of review depending on project size. This standardization was particularly important for facilitating distributed generation and smaller renewable energy projects, which faced significant barriers under non-uniform utility-specific processes. The order helped accelerate the deployment of community solar, small wind, and other distributed resources across the country.