Pennsylvania PUC Level 1: 52 Pa. Code § 75.37 Interconnection Guide

Key Takeaways

• The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) defines the Level 1 interconnection review under 52 Pa. Code § 75.37.
• An Electric Distribution Company (EDC) must provide a completeness notice within 10 business days of receiving an interconnection request.
• EDCs must complete their engineering screening within 15 business days after the completeness notice period.
• For radial distribution circuits, aggregate generation, including the proposed facility, cannot exceed 15% of the line section's annual peak load.

What is the Pennsylvania PUC Level 1 Interconnection Review?

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) outlines specific procedures for connecting small generator facilities to the electric grid. The "52 Pa. Code § 75.37. Level 1 interconnection review" details the process for eligible projects. An Electric Distribution Company (EDC) must use this Level 1 procedure for interconnection requests that meet its criteria (August 2026).

This review is designed for smaller, simpler interconnection projects. It streamlines the approval process for facilities that meet certain technical and operational requirements.

How Does a Project Qualify for Level 1 Interconnection?

To qualify for the Level 1 interconnection review, a small generator facility must meet several criteria. The Pennsylvania Code specifies these conditions to ensure safe and reliable integration into the grid.

Key eligibility requirements include:

• Inverter-Based Equipment: If connecting to the load side of spot network protectors, the proposed small generator facility must utilize an inverter-based equipment package (August 2026).
• No Utility Construction: The Level 1 process applies when "Construction of facilities by the EDC on its own system is not required to accommodate the small generator facility" (August 2026). This means the existing grid infrastructure must be sufficient for the proposed connection.
• Radial Distribution Circuit Screen: For facilities connecting to a radial distribution circuit, the "aggregated generation on the circuit, including the proposed small generator facility, may not exceed 15% of the line section annual peak load as most recently measured" (August 2026). This is a critical technical limit.
• Shared Secondary Imbalance: The code also addresses scenarios where a proposed small generator facility is to be interconnected on a single-phase shared secondary line, considering aggregate generation capacity (August 2026).

These criteria ensure that Level 1 projects are generally low-impact and do not require significant upgrades or complex engineering studies from the utility. If your project does not meet these, you may need to explore other interconnection levels. You can learn more about broader system considerations in our guide to Pennsylvania PUC 52 Pa. Code § 75.13 Solar Net Metering.

What are the Timelines for Level 1 Interconnection?

The Pennsylvania PUC sets clear timelines for EDCs to process Level 1 interconnection requests. These timelines ensure a predictable and efficient review process for applicants.

• Completeness Notice: An EDC must, "within 10 business days after receipt of the interconnection request, inform the applicant that the request is complete or incomplete" (August 2026). This initial step confirms that all necessary documentation has been submitted.
• Engineering Screening: Following the completeness notice, "The EDC shall, within 15 business days after the end of the 10 business days noted in paragraph (1), verify that the small generator facility can be interconnected safely and reliably using Level 1 screens" (August 2026). This period allows the utility to conduct its technical review based on the Level 1 criteria.
• Witness Test Window: Upon notice, "within 10 business days after receipt of the certificate of completion, an EDC may conduct a witness test" (August 2026). This allows the utility to verify the installation and operation of the facility.

These timelines are statutory requirements, as detailed in "52 Pa. Code § 75.37. Level 1 interconnection review." (August 2026). Understanding these deadlines helps you manage your project expectations.

How We Verified These Regulations

We compiled this information by directly reviewing the official Pennsylvania Code. Our data is sourced from "52 Pa. Code § 75.37. Level 1 interconnection review." as published on the pacodeandbulletin.gov website. We accessed this source on August 23, 2026. The Pennsylvania Code website reflects changes effective through 56 Pa.B. 3438 (June 6, 2026), ensuring the information's currency at the time of our review. We have not verified any interpretations or additional requirements that may be imposed by individual Electric Distribution Companies (EDCs) beyond the explicit statutory language.

Understanding Interconnection for Your Solar Project

Navigating interconnection rules is a critical step for any solar installation. The Level 1 review in Pennsylvania is specific to certain types of small generator facilities. If your project exceeds the limits for Level 1, or if it requires utility construction, you will likely fall into a different interconnection tier.

It is important to understand the technical screens, such as the "15% of the line section annual peak load" limit for radial circuits (August 2026). If your proposed system's aggregate generation pushes past this threshold, it will not qualify for Level 1.

For broader context on interconnection processes in other regions, you may find our guides on Ohio PUCO Level 1 Interconnection and Oregon PUC Level 1 Interconnection helpful. To estimate your system's potential output and size, consider using a solar sizing tool.