These days, most solar PV panels installed in the U.S. are part of a so-called “grid-tied” system. That is, the system is interconnected with the electrical grid. When the solar panels’ electricity production exceeds on-site demand, current flows out into the grid, crediting the owner’s utility account. (If your neighbor is bragging about how cool it is to see his meter run backwards, this is what he’s talking about.) When production falls short of demand, the flow reverses, and power is drawn from the utility’s supply like usual.

Connecting a distributed generation system — like solar panels — to the grid can be a tricky process, from both electrical and regulatory perspectives. Luckily, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) provides free resources to help elucidate the factors involved.

IREC recently released the sixth edition of its popular “Connecting to the Grid Guide,” which provides a comprehensive introduction to a range of topics relating to grid-tied renewable energy sources. According to the council’s press release, the guide

is designed for state regulators and other policymakers, utilities, industry representatives and consumers interested in the development of state-level interconnection and net metering policies. Despite the growing demand for cleaner energy sources, there remains a lack of clarity among policies that allow those with renewable energy generation, such as solar and wind systems, to connect to the utility grid. This fact significantly complicates renewable energy installations and has likely deterred the adoption of customer-sited distributed generation.

Laurel Varnado, co-author of the report, notes:

Since the previous edition of this guide was published in 2007, there have been widespread advancements in renewable energy policy and technical considerations. States often update their regulatory practices based on the direction that general trends and best practices seem to be heading. This guide provides a clear look at those trends as well as the necessary background information needed to interpret them.

As of Thursday at 7:30 am EST, I wasn’t able to locate the freshly released guide on the IREC website, but be patient and stay tuned. Soon you, too, can geek out with IREC on topics relating to renewables and interconnection…

UPDATE: The 6th edition is available here (PDF).