U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Distributed Energy Program

National Standards

IEEE Standards

At the national level, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has developed a Standard for Distributed Resources Interconnected with Electric Power Systems, referred to as IEEE P1547. The standard provides requirements relevant to the performance, operation, testing, safety considerations, and maintenance of the grid interconnection. See the following for more information:

California Energy Commission P1547 overview
IEEE P1547 Web site
Interconnection Standards for Distributed Generation — Outlines NRECA's position that any national standard must have the flexibility to reflect the varying architecture, control equipment, capacity constraints, and load characteristics of the more than 3000 local distribution grids in the United States. (PDF 69 KB) Download Acrobat Reader.

IEEE has also approved Standard 929-2000 for connecting photovoltaic systems under 10 kilowatts to the electric grid. See a summary of IEEE 929-2000 by the Solar Electric Power Association.

UL Standard 1741

Titled Inverters, Converters, and Controllers for Use in Independent Power Systems, this standard from the Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) covers inverters, converters, charge controllers, and output controllers intended for use in stand-alone (not grid connected) or utility-interactive (grid-connected) power systems.

UL standards aim to minimize the risk of fire or of electric shock or injury to persons from electrical components.

National Electrical Code, NFPA 70

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets national standards for the installation of electrical equipment. NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code, provides "practical safeguarding of persons and property from hazards arising from the use of electricity."