The bill seeks to enhance the regulation of distributed energy resources in Kansas by imposing new requirements on distributed energy retailers and electric public utilities. It mandates that retailers provide customers with detailed disclosure documents regarding costs, system performance, and maintenance obligations when financing distributed energy systems. The legislation also establishes criteria for determining the appropriate size of renewable energy systems, sets interconnection and operational requirements, and increases the capacity limitations for parallel generation services offered by utilities. Additionally, it amends existing laws to clarify definitions related to distributed energy systems and outlines the necessary customer contracts, including compensation structures for energy exported to the utility.

Key changes in the bill include the repeal of certain sections of K.S.A. 66-1,184 and 66-1268, and the removal of specific customer obligations, such as supplying metering equipment and requiring utility approval for contracts when terms cannot be agreed upon. The bill clarifies customer responsibilities regarding the location of utility-installed meters and the installation of disconnecting devices. It also specifies that the export capacity of renewable energy systems must align with anticipated electric loads and outlines conditions under which utilities can deny parallel generation service requests. Furthermore, it details the maintenance and testing responsibilities for both utilities and customers, ensuring that the integration of renewable energy systems is streamlined while maintaining safety and compliance with standards.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 66-1, 66-1268