ComEd Hosting Capacity Map Now Updated Monthly to Enhance Interconnection Process for Solar Developers

Rhea-AI Summary

ComEd has enhanced its hosting capacity map for solar developers, now providing monthly updates with near real-time data. The company received 2,250 new interconnection applications in October, marking the seventh consecutive month with over 2,000 applications. The total for 2023 reached 21,952 applications, an all-time high. ComEd completed 1,976 Distributed Energy Resource systems in October, adding 42 megawatts of generation capacity. Currently, there are approximately 1,160 MW of DER connected to ComEd's system, with projections to reach 2,700 MW by 2030. The company has paid over $48 million in DG rebates this year and expects to pay more than $60 million in 2024.

Positive

• Record-breaking 21,952 interconnection applications in 2023
• 42 MW of new DER generation capacity added in October
• Current DER capacity of 1,160 MW with projected growth to 2,700 MW by 2030
• $48 million paid in DG rebates with $60 million projected for 2024
• Supporting Illinois' renewable energy goals of 40% by 2030

Negative

• None.

Insights

Energy Infrastructure Analyst

The significant uptick in solar interconnection applications and distributed energy resource (DER) growth demonstrates robust market momentum for ComEd, a key subsidiary of Exelon. With $48 million in distributed generation rebates paid this year and projections of $60 million for 2024, there's substantial financial commitment to renewable infrastructure expansion.

The projected growth from current 1,160 MW to 2,700 MW by 2030 represents a 133% increase in solar capacity. This expansion aligns with Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act targets and positions ComEd favorably in the renewable energy transition. The monthly updated hosting capacity map streamlines developer processes, potentially accelerating project implementations and revenue generation.

The record-breaking 42 MW of DER generation capacity completed in October, coupled with seven consecutive months of 2,000+ interconnection applications, indicates strong sustained growth in the renewable segment. This trajectory supports Exelon's long-term value proposition in the evolving utility landscape.

Regulatory Policy Analyst

The alignment with Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) provides a stable regulatory framework for ComEd's renewable energy expansion. The $300 per kilowatt rebate program creates a predictable incentive structure that's driving adoption while supporting state mandates for 40% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2040.

The implementation of enhanced hosting capacity maps represents proactive regulatory compliance and operational efficiency. This infrastructure investment positions ComEd advantageously for meeting CEJA's ambitious targets while maintaining grid reliability. The transparent approach to capacity data sharing also reduces regulatory friction in project approvals.

Near real-time data supports robust growth of solar in ComEd region

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rising interest among consumers to reduce their carbon footprints and energy costs is driving the growth of community and rooftop solar in ComEd’s northern Illinois region, and its new hosting capacity map for solar developers is helping streamline the process and meet the demand.

“Our updated hosting capacity map provides developers every month with near real-time information about solar projects in the development queue, which is key to identifying the best available location to interconnect their project to our grid,” said Mark Baranek, senior vice president of Technical Services, ComEd.

In October, ComEd received 2,250 new applications to interconnect with its electric system, which serves more than 4 million customers in northern Illinois. It was the seventh consecutive month with more than 2,000 applications to interconnect with ComEd’s grid, bringing the total applications received this year to 21,952, an all-time high for ComEd. Additionally, the 1,976 Distributed Energy Resource (DER) systems that ComEd completed in October represented 42 megawatts of DER generation capacity, a new one-month record. There are approximately 1,160 MW of DER interconnected to the ComEd system, including 460 MW from residential solar systems, 285 MW from community solar and more than 345 MW from commercial systems. ComEd estimates that solar power on its grid will grow to 2,700 MWs by 2030.

The high volume of solar and other DER, including batteries and electric vehicles, places a priority on providing solar developers access to current hosting capacity data, which is used to estimate the amount of DER that can be safely and reliably accommodated without major upgrades to the ComEd distribution system. ComEd’s hosting capacity maps provide monthly estimates for distribution circuits at 34kV and below that are sourced by a ComEd substation. ComEd also publishes hosting capacity maps for battery energy storage and for electric vehicle (EV) load, and these maps are updated about 20 times a year.

ComEd’s hosting capacity maps support the goals of Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which doubles the state’s investment in renewable energy and puts Illinois on a path to 40% renewable energy by 2030 and 50% by 2040. CEJA’s incentives for installation of solar include the Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate program for residential and commercial renewable energy facilities. The DG rebate is valued at up to $300 per kilowatt for an eligible distributed generation facility, such as rooftop solar, and up to $300 per kilowatt-hour for an associated energy storage device. ComEd has paid more than $48 million in DG rebates this year and is on track to pay more than $60 million in 2024. ComEd’s largest DG rebate to date was paid in April to G&W Electric of Bolingbrook, Ill., which received rebates of $600,000 for its investments in rooftop solar and $2 million for a battery energy storage system.

About ComEd

​​ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 energy company with approximately 10 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.​

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ComEd Media Relations

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Source: ComEd

FAQ

How many interconnection applications did ComEd (EXC) receive in October 2023?

ComEd received 2,250 new interconnection applications in October 2023, marking the seventh consecutive month with over 2,000 applications.

What is ComEd's (EXC) projected solar power capacity by 2030?

ComEd estimates that solar power on its grid will grow to 2,700 megawatts (MW) by 2030.

How much has ComEd (EXC) paid in Distributed Generation rebates in 2023?

ComEd has paid more than $48 million in Distributed Generation (DG) rebates in 2023 and expects to pay more than $60 million in 2024.

What is the current Distributed Energy Resource capacity on ComEd's (EXC) system?

ComEd currently has approximately 1,160 MW of Distributed Energy Resource (DER) interconnected to its system, including 460 MW from residential solar, 285 MW from community solar, and over 345 MW from commercial systems.