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Solar Utilities Utility Interconnection DER

Managing Interconnection Challenges

Vaughan Woodruff
4 - 6 hours to complete
Instructor-led
Last updated 10/2026

About this course

Interconnection challenges are an inevitable part of developing solar and energy storage projects. While industry professionals may not control utility screening results, engineering determinations, study timelines, or upgrade costs, they can control how effectively they respond when problems arise.

This course is designed to help interconnection professionals move from a reactive approach to proactively managing interconnection challenges. Through practical instruction, real-world case studies, and decision-making tools that are unique to this course, learners will develop strategies for understanding unexpected utility results, obtaining the information needed to define a problem, determining when an issue should be handed off or escalated, and pursuing resolution while maintaining productive utility relationships.

Module 1 introduces a proactive approach to Managing Interconnection Challenges. Learners examine how their role changes when an unexpected result or conflict arises and explore practical tools for distinguishing what is known, what remains unclear, and what steps can help move an issue toward resolution.

Module 2 explores Managing Interconnection Screening Challenges using real-world examples involving simplified and Fast Track review. Learners consider how to respond to failed technical screens, obtain information needed to better understand utility results, use available processes to pursue project-level solutions, and recognize when they have reached the limits of what can reasonably be resolved through routine project management.

Module 3 addresses Managing Interconnection Study Challenges, including delays during detailed studies, significant differences between estimated and actual interconnection costs, and disagreements over technical requirements. Learners consider how project scale and complexity affect the resources available to pursue resolution and when technical, regulatory, legal, or other specialized expertise may be appropriate.

Module 4 examines Managing Informal Disputes and Utility Relationships. Learners explore approaches for using informal dispute resolution to bring the appropriate people to the table, establish structure and accountability around an unresolved issue, and work toward a clear outcome without unnecessarily creating an adversarial relationship with the utility.

Module 5 focuses on Selecting an Effective Escalation Strategy. Using course-specific decision tools and resources for identifying available dispute-resolution processes, learners evaluate potential paths for addressing unresolved interconnection challenges and consider when further escalation is warranted, proportionate, and likely to advance resolution.

This course emphasizes the practical realities of managing interconnection challenges. Rather than prescribing a single approach to every dispute, it equips industry professionals with tools for asking better questions, making effective handoffs, escalating issues, and bringing the right people and resources into the process at the right time.

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Learning Objectives

  • Apply a proactive approach to interconnection challenges by identifying what is known, what remains unclear, and the next steps needed to move an issue toward resolution.
  • Recognize when an interconnection challenge requires escalation or handoff and communicate the information needed for the next person to effectively manage the issue.
  • Use utility processes and communications strategically to obtain information, clarify technical or procedural issues, and pursue workable project-level solutions.
  • Select an appropriate and proportionate resolution strategy based on the nature of the challenge, project size and complexity, available resources, and applicable dispute-resolution options.
  • Manage escalation and disputes while maintaining a constructive utility relationship, including effective use of informal dispute resolution and, when warranted, technical, regulatory, or legal support.

Course outline

7 modules
4 - 6 hours to complete
2:40 hours of video lectures
Welcome • 5 assignments
Orientation Materials

This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment.

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Module 1 • 6 assignments
Managing Interconnection Challenges

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Module 2 • 8 assignments
Managing Interconnection Screening Challenges

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Module 3 • 14 assignments
Managing Interconnection Study Challenges

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Module 4 • 4 assignments
Managing Informal Disputes and Utility Relationships

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Module 5 • 3 assignments
Selecting an Effective Escalation Strategy

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Conclusion • 3 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources

This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!

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Instructor

Vaughan Woodruff

Principal, EquinoxDG

Vaughan Woodruff is the principal of EquinoxDG, a consulting firm that provides strategic support on DER interconnection reform for clean energy advocates, solar and energy storage companies, utilities, and regulators. His work includes developing comprehensive regulatory and legislative strategy, optimizing applicant and utility processes, building consensus among...

Frequently asked questions

Full FAQ
How does this course work?
This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. During your year of access the instructor will be in the course answering questions on the discussion board. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Students can pre-order but will not be able to access the full course materials or earn a certificate of completion until the course is fully published. Once the course is published any students who have pre-ordered will then have access to the course materials for one year (365 days). After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.
Will the instructor really answer my questions during this course?
Yes! This is an instructor-led online course. You can ask questions on the discussion board and get prompt answers from your instructor. It varies by instructor and by course but typically instructors check-in between daily and weekly to check quiz results or project work, review and respond to discussion board questions and read survey responses. Check the enrollment page for specific information about each instructor's check-in frequency.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, please visit our For Teams page to get a group discount.