Vermont Public Utility Commission Approves Minor Amendment to Saxtons River Distillery's Solar Project

Strategic Insights -

Saxtons River Distillery, LLC sought a minor amendment to its existing plan for a 150 kW solar net-metering system in Brattleboro, Vermont. The proposed amendment would reduce the project's capacity to 125 kW, and the Vermont Public Utility Commission has resolved the interconnection issue raised by Green Mountain Power Corporation. The Commission has approved the minor amendment, subject to specific requirements related to the distribution transformer upgrade, voltage rise, generator reconnection time, and inverter compliance.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Vermont Public Utility Commission approved a minor amendment to Saxtons River Distillery's solar project, reducing the capacity from 150 kW to 125 kW.
  • Green Mountain Power Corporation, the interconnecting utility, raised concerns about the proposed interconnection, which were addressed by the Applicant.
  • The Applicant agreed to cover the cost of the distribution transformer upgrade, ensure that underground cables do not result in excessive voltage rise, and change the generator reconnection time to 7 minutes.
  • The Commission required the Applicant to comply with the Inverter Source Requirement Document of ISO New England for the solar project.
  • Saxtons River Distillery may commence installation of the amended project, subject to the specific requirements outlined by the Commission.
  • The Commission resolved the interconnection issue raised by GMP, allowing the project to proceed.

Statistics:

  • The original solar project had a capacity of 150 kW.
  • The proposed amendment reduced the project's capacity to 125 kW.
  • The Applicant agreed to cover the cost of a distribution transformer upgrade.
  • The generator reconnection time must be changed from the default setting to 7 minutes.
  • The solar project must comply with the Inverter Source Requirement Document of ISO New England.

Sources:

  • (06/20/2022) - Vermont Public Utility Commission Order Case No. 22-1562-PET
  • (May 2, 2022) - Saxtons River Distillery, LLC ("Applicant") filing with the Vermont Public Utility Commission
  • (May 11, 2022) - Green Mountain Power Corporation ("GMP") letter to the Vermont Public Utility Commission
  • (May 17, 2022) - Saxtons River Distillery, LLC response to GMP's concerns
  • ISO New England Inverter Source Requirement Document (no specific date mentioned)
  • (no specific date mentioned) - Power Utility Commission of Vermont Public Utility Commission established guidelines for solar projects