Skip to main content
installing solar panels

DER Management Pilot Resources

PPL Electric Utilities

Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Management Program Information

Looking to connect renewable energy, like solar, to our grid? You’ve come to the right place. Technical details pertaining to PPL Electric’s Second DER Management Program can be found via the links below.

Getting Started

We want to make it easy for you to understand safety regulations and to apply to connect renewable energy projects to the grid.

What is DER Management?

installing solar panels

We have a tradition of encouraging the development of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), like solar, to provide the energy our customers need now and in the future. PPL Electric is supporting Pennsylvania’s vision of renewable energy growth to address climate and sustainability objectives, while continuing to provide safe and reliable service to our customers.

We have been actively building a foundation to better accommodate the growth of DERs interconnecting with our distribution system. Part of that foundation is our advanced, centralized Distributed Energy Resources Management System (DERMS), which can manage the settings of DERs, like solar, through the use of smart inverters.

Our initial DER Management Pilot Program required smart inverters for new DER installations starting in January 2021, which enabled us to test and evaluate the management of smart inverters’ settings. Recently, we received approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PA PUC) to implement our Second DER Management Program in January 2026, which grants permanence of the previous program. This allows us to use our DERMS to communicate with participating customers’ smart inverters. Please visit the following PA PUC Press Release article for more information.


What does DER Management mean to me?

We will install a DER management device at no direct cost to you. The device, which we will own and maintain, will allow us to monitor and manage your inverter(s) to help prevent and remedy certain issues, such as voltage problems, which could impact your and other customers’ electric service. This may also help you avoid costs associated with distribution system upgrades.


How can I learn more about DER Management?

For more information please visit our FAQ section.

Additional Resources

Billing and Usage Explained

An explanation of net metering for solar /renewable generation customers

IEEE 1547-2018 Information

For a description or to purchase a copy of the IEEE 1547-2018 Standard for Interconnection & Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power System Interfaces

Volt/VAR Curve & Ride-Through Guidelines

A Volt/Var curve setting is an autonomous grid support function offered by smart inverters in compliance with the IEEE 1547-2018 standard.

Additional Resources

Inverter Information

Visit our solar inverter website for more information on smart inverters approved to interconnect or how to request the approval of an inverter.

Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards - PAPUC

Generally, Act 213 requires that electric distribution companies and electric generation suppliers include a specific percentage of electricity from alternative resources in the generation that they sell to Pennsylvania customers.