1. (a)

   1. (1) For the purpose of requesting that the electric utility conduct a preliminary interconnection site review for a proposed net-metering facility to determine the net-metering facility’s impact to the electric utility’s grid through technical review and if additional site screening may be required to determine the applicable interconnection costs prior to interconnection of the net-metering facility, the net-metering customer may notify the electric utility by submitting a completed Preliminary Interconnection Site Review Request.
   2. (2) The net-metering customer shall submit a separate Preliminary Interconnection Site Review Request for each point of interconnection if information about multiple points of interconnection is requested.
   3. (3) Each Preliminary Interconnection Site Review Request will be considered separately and in the order in which received.
   4. (4) Part I, Standard Information, Sections 1 through 4 of the Preliminary Interconnection Site Review Request must be completed for the notification to be valid.
   5. (5) If mailed, the date of notification shall be the third day following the mailing of the Preliminary Interconnection Site Review Request.
   6. (6) The electric utility shall provide a copy of the Preliminary Interconnection Site Review Request to the net-metering customer upon request.

2. (b)

   1. (1) Following notification by the net-metering customer as specified in subsection (a) of this section, the electric utility shall review the plans of the facility interconnection and provide the results of its review to the net-metering customer in writing within thirty (30) calendar days.
   2. (2) If the net-metering customer requests that multiple interconnection site reviews be conducted, the electric utility shall make reasonable efforts to provide the net-metering customer with the results of the review within thirty (30) calendar days.
   3. (3) If the electric utility cannot meet the deadline, it shall provide the net-metering customer with an estimated date by which it will complete the review.
   4. (4) The net-metering customer may request parallel processing of multiple reviews but must pay actual costs of conducting the review and any subsequent costs associated with site screening that may be required under subsection (c) of this section.
   5. (5) In such event, the electric utility shall respond to the request and shall process and present the results of the multiple reviews within a reasonable time, not to exceed ninety (90) days.
   6. (6) 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.

3. (c)

   1. (1) The preliminary interconnection site review is nonbinding and need only include existing data and does not require the electric utility to conduct a study or other analysis of the proposed interconnection site in the event that data is not readily available.
   2. (2) The electric utility shall notify the net-metering customer if additional site screening may be required prior to interconnection of the facility.

   3. (3) The net-metering customer shall be responsible for:

      1. (A) The actual costs of conducting the preliminary interconnection site review; and
      2. (B) Any subsequent costs associated with site screening that may be required.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The preliminary interconnection site review does not relieve the net-metering customer of the requirement to execute a Standard Interconnection Agreement for Net-metering Facilities prior to interconnection of the facility.
   2. (2) The preliminary interconnection site review process is optional for a net-metering customer and may be used to determine the net-metering facility’s impact to the electric utility’s grid through technical review and if additional site screening may be required to determine the appropriate portion of the costs and associated expenses required to provide service to the net-metering customer and enable the net-metering customer’s use of the electric utility’s facilities prior to installing a net-metering facility.
   3. (3) A net-metering customer may choose to proceed with installing a net-metering facility and submitting a Standard Interconnection Agreement for Net-metering Facilities without going through the preliminary interconnection site review process.
   4. (4) Regardless of whether a net-metering customer submits a Preliminary Interconnection Site Review Request, the net-metering customer is responsible for their appropriate portion of any required interconnection costs.
5. (e) An electric utility may charge a net-metering customer an Arkansas Public Service Commission-approved standard one-time fee for each Preliminary Interconnection Site Review Request submitted or at the time of interconnection after executing a Standard Interconnection Agreement for Net-metering Facilities to recover administrative and related interconnection review costs pursuant to Arkansas Code § 23-18-604(9)(A), as filed in its net-metering tariff.

Codification Notes: This section was promulgated as Rule 3.03 of the Net-metering Rules prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules.