813: The Interconnection Crisis: Why the Distribution Grid Is Holding Back Clean Energy | Samantha Weaver, CCSA

May 13, 2025

In this enlightening conversation, Samantha Weaver, the Senior Policy Director at the Coalition for Community Solar Access, tackles the critical interconnection challenges hindering community solar projects. She reveals the staggering backlog in project processing and discusses the costly surprises from policy loopholes. Listeners will learn about 'zombie projects' blocking new developments, essential data every developer needs, and the pivotal role of community solar for the 70% of Americans unable to install panels on their property. It's a must-listen for anyone invested in clean energy!

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INSIGHT

Community Solar's Grid Challenge

Community solar serves the 65-70% of Americans who can't install solar on their own roofs.
It typically connects to rural distribution grid feeders, creating unique interconnection challenges.

INSIGHT

Lengthy Interconnection Queues

Interconnection can take up to 3 years or even 7 in some states, causing significant delays.
In Illinois, a 100-project queue would take 50 years to clear at current utility speeds.

ADVICE

Use Maps to Avoid Dead Ends

Use hosting capacity maps and public interconnection queues to find optimal interconnection locations.
These tools reduce speculative applications and improve project success odds.

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The biggest threat to scaling community solar isn’t cost. It’s interconnection.

Live from the PowerUp Stage at RE+ Northeast, Samantha Weaver of the Coalition for Community Solar Access dives into why so many promising clean energy projects never make it past the planning phase. Spoiler: it’s not because the technology isn’t ready—it’s because the system isn’t.

With jaw-dropping examples (a 100-project backlog that would take 50 years to process?!), Samantha breaks down how sluggish utility review processes, outdated cost models, and data black holes are bringing progress to a crawl.

This is an eye-opening conversation that shows how the right policies—and partnerships—can turn gridlock into greenlight.

Expect to learn:

🔹 The policy loopholes causing multi-million-dollar grid upgrade surprises

🔹 What “zombie projects” are and why they’re choking the interconnection pipeline

🔹 The one map every solar developer needs before applying

🔹 Why community solar is essential for the 70% of Americans who can’t go solar on-site

Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look at the roadblocks to energy equity—and what it’ll take to clear the way.

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