Energy (Transmission)

Requires the Indiana utility regulatory commission (commission) to adopt rules governing community energy facilities not later than July 1, 2028. Provides that, not later than 180 days after adoption of the rules, an electricity supplier shall begin: (1) allowing interconnection of the electricity supplier's facilities with community energy facilities with which at least three of the electricity supplier's customers have entered into a subscription; and (2) crediting the electricity supplier's subscribing customers for the amount of electricity from the community energy facility to which the customer subscribes. Requires the commission to: (1) establish an interconnection working group composed of representatives of electricity suppliers and other stakeholders with respect to electric utility service; and (2) implement the working group's recommendations regarding creation, revision, or elimination of policies, processes, tariffs, rules, or standards relating to the interconnection of community energy facilities and electricity suppliers as necessary for transparent, accurate, and efficient implementation of community energy facilities. Prohibits an investor owned utility from: (1) owning a community energy facility; or (2) offering incentive programs to community energy facilities.

Defines a "plug-in solar power system" as a moveable photovoltaic generation device that: (1) has a maximum power output of not more than 1,200 watts; (2) is designed to be connected to a building's electrical system through a standard outlet; and (3) is intended primarily to offset part of the electricity consumption in the building in which it is used. Provides that electricity generated by a plug-in solar power system is not subject to the Indiana statute concerning distributed generation. Provides that a plug-in solar power system is exempt from the Indiana utility regulatory commission's rules concerning customer-generator interconnection standards. Requires a plug-in solar power system to include a functionality or feature that: (1) is activated during a loss of electrical power to the building in which the plug-in solar power system is used; and (2) prevents the plug-in solar power system from energizing the building's electrical system during the electrical outage. Prohibits an electricity supplier from requiring a customer to do any of the following with respect to the installation or use of a plug-in solar power system that meets certain requirements: (1) Obtain the electricity supplier's approval for the installation or use. (2) Pay any fee or charge related to the installation or use. (3) Install any additional controls or equipment in connection with the installation or use. Provides that an electricity supplier is not liable for any injury or damages caused by a customer's installation or use of a plug-in solar power system.