1. (a) A net-metering customer and owner of the net-metering facility, if different, shall execute a Standard Interconnection Agreement for Net-metering Facilities, Appendix A, prior to interconnection with the electric utility’s facilities.

2. (b)

   1. (1) A net-metering facility shall be capable of operating in parallel and safely commencing the delivery of power into the utility system at a single point of interconnection.
   2. (2) To prevent a net-metering facility from back-feeding a de-energized line, a net-metering facility shall have a visibly open, lockable, manual disconnect switch that is accessible by the electric utility and clearly labeled.

3. (c)

   1. (1) The net-metering customer and owner of the net-metering facility, if different, shall submit a Standard Interconnection Agreement for Net-metering Facilities to the electric utility at least thirty (30) days prior to the date the net-metering customer intends to interconnect the net-metering facilities to the electric utility’s facilities.
   2. (2) Part I, Standard Information, Sections 1 through 5 of the Standard Interconnection Agreement for Net-metering Facilities must be completed by the net-metering customer and owner, if different from customer, for the notification to be valid.
   3. (3) The net-metering customer shall have all equipment necessary to complete the interconnection prior to such notification.
   4. (4) If mailed, the date of notification shall be the third day following the mailing of the Standard Interconnection Agreement for Net-metering Facilities.
   5. (5) The electric utility shall provide a copy of the Standard Interconnection Agreement to the net-metering customer upon request.

4. (d)

   1. (1) Following notification by the net-metering customer or owner as specified in subsection (c) of this section, the electric utility shall review the plans for the facility and provide the results of its review to the net-metering customer, in writing, within thirty (30) calendar days.
   2. (2) Any items that would prevent parallel operation due to violation of safety standards and/or power generation limits shall be explained along with a description of the modifications necessary to remedy the violations.

5. (e) The net-metering facility, at the net-metering customer’s expense, shall meet safety and performance standards established by local and national electrical codes including:

   1. (1) The National Electrical Code;
   2. (2) The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers;
   3. (3) The National Electrical Safety Code; and
   4. (4) Underwriters Laboratories.
6. (f) The net-metering facility, at the net-metering customer’s expense, shall meet all safety and performance standards adopted by the electric utility and filed with and approved by the Arkansas Public Service Commission pursuant to this part that are necessary to ensure safe and reliable operation of the net-metering facility to the electric utility’s system.
7. (g) If the electric utility’s existing facilities are not adequate to interconnect with the net-metering facility, the net-metering customer shall pay the cost of additional or reconfigured facilities prior to the installation or reconfiguration of the facilities.
8. (h) Pursuant to Arkansas Code § 23-18-603(9)(D), if an electric utility owns transmission facilities that will be impacted by a net-metering facility, a net-metering customer must obtain an electric utility’s permission to operate its facilities in parallel with the electric utility’s transmission facilities.

Codification Notes: This section was promulgated as Rule 3.01 of the Net-metering Rules prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules.