For members in Zone 3 Export-Limited area who want to be notified when they can export power to the grid. 

How does the Solar Export Queue work? 

LPEA members who live in a Zone 3, Export-Limited area that currently does not allow new solar systems to export power to the grid, can sign up to be notified if the ability to export becomes available. You can join the Solar Export Queue prior to installing a system or when you install a self-supply/non-exporting system. 

There are two primary reasons that LPEA could allow more exporting systems: 

  • LPEA is actively studying grid safety and reliability as local solar generation grows. As that study progresses, we'll increase export limits wherever we can confidently support it. 

  • If the local daytime electricity demand increases or the amount of local generation decreases, there will be the ability for new systems to export. We review this biannually, in June and November, after each shoulder season, when electricity demand is at its lowest. 

Priority for the ability to export is given on a first-come, first-served basis based on your position in the queue.

Please note: there's no guarantee about when, or whether, export capacity will become available, and members take on the risk that an export-limited system may need to continue operating in a non-exporting manner indefinitely.  

Current Solar Export Queue

View the current Solar Export Queue for feeders with export limits. It is updated at the end of every month. Please reach out to renewables@lpea.coop with any questions. 

Solar Export Queue

 

Sign Up Today! 

  1. Complete the sign-up form below with your identifying information. 

  1. Find your LPEA feeder. Go to the interactive map on LPEA's "Solar in Your Neighborhood: What to Know First" webpage. Click your location, or type your address into the search bar, and your feeder will display in a pop-up window as one or two capital letters followed by three digits (e.g., "A131" or “SH121”). 

  1. Gather your system's technical information. If you've already submitted an interconnection application, most of this information will come from there. If you haven't submitted one yet and aren't sure what size system fits your property, visit the "Ready to get quotes" webpage and review Step 2: Understand your Electricity Usage (and check out Step 1: Energy Efficiency First while you're there). 

After you submit the form, you will receive an email confirming your submission, which includes a unique submission identification number that you can use to see your place in the Current Solar Export Queue linked above.  

\

 

Solar Export Queue FAQs

No

The queue's effective date will be the earlier of 

A) when the Solar Export Queue request is submitted OR 

B) when the interconnection request was submitted, so long as the member applies for the Solar Export Queue.  

  • If LPEA's studies show we can confidently allow for more exporting systems, we'll update zone designations and notify members as soon as that's determined. 

  • The ability for new systems to export is reviewed biannually, in June and November, based on local daytime electricity demand and generation. We wait until after each spring and fall because these are typically the seasons with the lowest electricity demand. 

Members have one month from the notification date to submit an Interconnection Application and secure their capacity. If a member has already installed a non-exporting system, LPEA will work with the member and their installer to reconfigure it for export and issue an updated Interconnection Agreement and Permission to Operate authorizing export. 

A member can also choose to hold their place in the queue and forgo applying for now, as long as they notify LPEA within that one-month window. 

No one earlier in the queue can prevent someone later in the queue from moving forward. For example, if a member is offered all requested capacity but doesn't wish to submit an interconnection application at this time, that capacity is still offered to the next member in the queue on that feeder. 

No. Queue position is tied to an LPEA account. It cannot be transferred to a new account owner or a different account.  

When you submit your queue request, you will receive a unique submission identification number. The ‘Current Solar Export Queue’ lists applicants in priority order by feeder (area), so you can see where you stand and how many export requests are ahead of yours.

  • Local solar generation in some areas is close to meeting or exceeding local electricity demand, which creates challenges for maintaining a safe and reliable grid. 

  • The ability to export may become available if, through further study, LPEA determines it can confidently support more generation relative to local electricity demand. 

  • The ability to export will also become available if local generation decreases (systems removed or degrading over time) or if daytime demand increases — for example, from growing adoption of electric heating and cooling, water heaters, EVs, or energy storage.  

 

Yes! Members can install a non-exporting system, typically paired with batteries, and still join the queue. We strongly recommend that if you install an export-limited system, you also join the Solar Export Queue. All members in the queue are treated the same, whether or not they've already installed an export-limited system. If a member has already installed an export-limited system and is later offered the ability to export, LPEA will work with the member and their installer to reconfigure it for export and issue an updated Interconnection Agreement and Permission to Operate authorizing export. A new Iinterconnection Application won't be required unless the member chooses to modify their system beyond adding export capability.