Con Edison interconnection requirements
Sample preview — compiled from public sources 2026-08-12
Who this applies to
This page covers distributed generation and energy storage interconnecting in parallel with Con Edison's distribution system under the New York State Standardized Interconnection Requirements (SIR) — the Public Service Commission framework for DG and ESS with an AC nameplate rating of 5 MW or less, aggregated on the customer side of the point of common coupling. Stand-alone storage, solar-plus-storage hybrids, and modifications to existing interconnected systems all fall under it.
- Systems 50 kW or less — residential and small commercial solar and storage, handled through an expedited process.
- Systems above 50 kW up to 5 MW — commercial, community solar, and larger storage, handled through the full screening-and-study process.
- Systems above 5 MW — Con Edison's utility process, outside the SIR; certain 2–5 MW wholesale-market projects may instead fall under NYISO and federal jurisdiction. Both are out of scope for this page.
Systems that never operate in parallel with the utility system are not subject to the SIR. Note the version in force: the SIR document current at review is effective February 9, 2026.
Application pathway overview
Con Edison takes applications through PowerClerk portals split by size, and the SIR requires electronic submission through the utility's online application portal. One Con Edison-specific caution: much of its territory runs on underground secondary network systems, where the SIR lets the utility require additional review case by case — and a CESIR may be required even for mid-size projects that would screen through elsewhere.
| Track | Size | What review looks like |
|---|---|---|
| Expedited (PowerClerk — Small DG) | 50 kW or less | Six steps; utility determines completeness and eligibility within 10 business days. Inverter-based systems above 50 kW up to 300 kW certified to UL 1741 SB may also use this process. |
| Full process (PowerClerk — Large DG) | Above 50 kW up to 5 MW | Eleven steps: preliminary screening (Screens A–F, results within 15 business days), optional supplemental screening (Screens G–I, 20 business days), CESIR study (60 business days), construction commitment, build, verification testing, interconnection, and cost reconciliation. |
| Utility process | Above 5 MW | Outside the SIR; separate Con Edison process |
An optional pre-application report is available before formally applying: the utility returns system data within 10 business days of the request and fee.
Required forms & documents
The SIR defines the complete application package in its Appendix F checklist; Con Edison layers its own documentation on top. Structural contents:
- Standardized application — inverter-based (SIR Appendix B) or non-inverter-based (Appendix C) confirm current revision
- Con Edison DG documentation checklist for the project type confirm current revision
- Customer authorization letter
- Single-line diagram; a three-line diagram may be required for PV and battery designs on three-phase systems, showing the wiring configuration at the point of common coupling
- Equipment spec sheets — inverters certified to UL 1741 (supplement SB) with settings per the utility's technical requirements
- Site plan
- Acknowledgement of property owner consent (SIR Appendix H) and site control certification (Appendix J) where applicable
- Standardized interconnection contract (SIR Appendix A) — executed during the process
- Energy storage systems: the ESS application requirements in SIR Appendix K
- Testing paperwork: verification test certification for systems 50 kW or less; Con Edison's solar testing and inspection checklist for larger solar projects
Fees
The SIR publishes most of the fee structure directly, so more numbers are stated here than on most pages — the amounts below are from the SIR document effective 2026-02-09 and Con Edison's application page as accessed on 2026-08-12.
| Item | Published amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee — 50 kW or less | None | "No application fee is required of the applicant for systems 50 kW or less" (SIR) |
| Application fee — above 50 kW | $750 verify current schedule | Per Con Edison's application page; applied toward interconnection costs if the project completes |
| Pre-application report | $750 | Non-refundable; credited toward the application fee if the application lands within 15 business days of the report (SIR) |
| Supplemental screening | $2,500 | Non-refundable at election; actual costs up to $5,000 billable at reconciliation (SIR) |
| CESIR study | Utility cost estimate | Invoiced before study start; project-specific |
| System modifications | Estimate-based | 100% due within 90 business days when the estimate is $10,000 or less; 25% advance when greater, with a standby letter of credit option above $500,000 (SIR) |
Filing here every month?
Design partners get 5 free filings and their territory encoded first — packets produced with dual human review while the software is built.
Typical timeline stages
The SIR attaches business-day clocks to most stages. For systems 50 kW or less: application, 10-business-day completeness and eligibility review, installation, verification testing, and final acceptance — with the utility issuing its acceptance letter within 5 business days of a successful test notification.
For systems above 50 kW up to 5 MW:
- Application — package per Appendix F; completeness response within 10 business days.
- Preliminary screening — Screens A–F; written results within 15 business days.
- Supplemental screening (if elected) — Screens G–I; completed within 20 business days of authorization and fee.
- CESIR (if required) — completed within 60 business days of authorization, fee, and complete design package; extendable by up to 40 business days by agreement.
- Contract and payment — executed standardized contract plus advance payment per the fee table above.
- Construction — applicant builds to the accepted design; utility builds any system modifications on the agreed schedule.
- Verification testing — within 10 business days of completed-installation notice, utility witness optional.
- Interconnection and final acceptance — parallel operation on passing tests; acceptance letter and final cost reconciliation follow on SIR clocks.
Deadlines run against the applicant too: failing to supply requested information within 30 business days removes the application from the queue.
Common deficiency causes
Commonly cited reasons SIR applications are deemed incomplete — the SIR itself requires the utility to send "a detailed explanation of the deficiencies identified" with each incompleteness notice. Generic to the packet structure, not drawn from SunDocket filing data.
- Application package missing Appendix F checklist items — the completeness review is administrative and literal
- Single-line or three-line diagram missing detail at the point of common coupling, or a three-line not provided where the utility requires one
- Inverters not certified to UL 1741 SB, or certified but without the settings the utility's technical requirements specify
- Missing customer authorization, property-owner consent, or site-control signatures
- Customer or site data that doesn't match the utility account of record
- Network-area complications not anticipated — underground secondary network locations can add review or bar a configuration
- Blown response windows: 30 business days on information requests, 15 business days on contract signatures, 10 business days on screening-decision notices
FAQ
How long does Con Edison interconnection take?
The New York SIR attaches business-day clocks to most stages. For systems 50 kW or less, Con Edison determines completeness and eligibility within 10 business days, and issues its acceptance letter within 5 business days of a successful verification test notification. For systems above 50 kW up to 5 MW: preliminary screening results within 15 business days, supplemental screening within 20 business days of authorization and fee, and a CESIR study within 60 business days — extendable by up to 40 business days by agreement. Construction and utility system modifications add time beyond the review clocks.
What is the SIR?
The New York State Standardized Interconnection Requirements — the Public Service Commission framework governing distributed generation and energy storage with an AC nameplate rating of 5 MW or less interconnecting in parallel with a utility's distribution system. The version in force at this page's review is effective February 9, 2026.
What is the Con Edison interconnection application fee?
Under the SIR, no application fee is required for systems 50 kW or less. Above 50 kW, Con Edison's application page lists a $750 application fee, applied toward interconnection costs if the project completes — verify the current schedule before filing.
What is a CESIR?
The Coordinated Electric System Interconnection Review — the utility's detailed study of a project's impact on its system. Under the SIR it is completed within 60 business days of authorization, fee payment, and a complete design package, extendable by up to 40 business days by agreement. In Con Edison territory a CESIR can be required even for mid-size projects that would screen through elsewhere, because much of the territory runs on underground secondary network systems.
What happens if my application is deemed incomplete?
The SIR requires the utility to send a detailed explanation of the deficiencies identified with each incompleteness notice, and the completeness review is administrative and literal against the Appendix F checklist. Deadlines run against the applicant too: 30 business days to answer information requests before the application is removed from the queue, 15 business days on contract signatures, and 10 business days on screening-decision notices.
Why do New York City network areas add review?
Much of Con Edison's territory runs on underground secondary network systems, where the SIR lets the utility require additional review case by case. That can add study time or bar certain configurations that would pass screening on radial systems elsewhere.
Change log
- Page created from public sources.
- Added FAQ section.
Requirements drift. Get the changes.
When this page's change log gets a new entry, we'll email you that entry. Nothing else — see the privacy note.
Sources
- NY Department of Public Service — NYS Standardized Interconnection Requirements (SIR document effective 2026-02-09) (accessed 2026-08-12)
- Con Edison — Applying for Distributed Generation Interconnection (accessed 2026-08-12)
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