Senate passes bill directing Delmarva Power to adopt model interconnection rules to speed community solar

The Delaware Senate on a roll call vote approved House Bill 269, as amended, directing Delmarva Power to adopt Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) model interconnection procedures to accelerate the review and connection of community solar projects to the distribution grid.

“ The process for connecting community solar projects into Delmarva Power’s electric grid is slow. It’s very slow,” said Senator Hansen, the bill’s floor sponsor, urging the Senate to require standards that include expedited approvals, mandatory application processing timelines, and limits on speculative projects that clog the queue. Hansen said the Public Service Commission may approve deviations and may establish and enforce processing timelines; Delmarva would be allowed to recover prudently incurred implementation costs.

Hansen told colleagues the bill responds to concerns from the solar industry and trade publications that Delaware’s interconnection standards lag national best practices. He said the measure is based on IREC model procedures that aim to reduce multi‑year delays and improve transparency for applicants.

Senator Hansen said the bill is supported by the Public Service Commission and that Delmarva Power is not opposed. During final consideration the Senate recorded 15 yes, 5 no, and 1 absent; the presiding officer declared the bill passed.

Why it matters: Sponsors and supporters said changes to interconnection procedures should cut months or years off project timelines for community solar and small generators, freeing capacity and allowing projects that meet safety thresholds to move ahead without prolonged study. The bill directs a utility‑scale alignment to model rules while preserving PSC oversight.

The measure now moves forward consistent with the Legislature’s regular enrollment and transmittal process.