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Investor-owned utility

Unitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light) interconnection application

Unitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light) is an investor-owned utility serving 26,409 residential customers in Massachusetts (EIA-861, 2025). Applications: PowerClerk (Unitil Interconnection Program Portal (PowerClerk by Clean Power Research, announced Feb 2025); separate Interconnection Documentation Upload Portal). Gridpol files Unitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light) interconnection applications for licensed installers – solar, storage and EV chargers – with single-line diagram and site plan, unlimited for $500 a month.

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Partly researched from official sources. verify on first project: unitil.com blocks fetch (403) and archive.org unreachable; PowerClerk login URL, Unitil M.D.P.U. 375 simplified threshold (15/25 kW), fees, full document checklist and storage rules unconfirmed. Ask generator@unitil.com.

Unitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light) at a glance

Utility

Fitchburg Gas & Elec Light Co (Unitil Corporation)

Type

Investor-owned utility

EIA utility ID

6374

Residential customers

26,409 (EIA-861, 2025)

Net-metered residential customers

3,958 (EIA-861, 2025)

Service territory

2 counties in Massachusetts

How to apply

PowerClerk – Unitil Interconnection Program Portal (PowerClerk by Clean Power Research, announced Feb 2025); separate Interconnection Documentation Upload Portal

Who submits

Applicant creates account (company profile invitation from Clean Power Research per Feb 2025 notice) in Unitil Interconnection Program Portal; installers set up company profiles. Questions: generator@unitil.com, 603-773-6480.

Export compensation

NEM – Massachusetts net metering (Schedule Z) / SMART

Review time (official)

DPU-approved interconnection tariff (Simplified, radial): acknowledge 3 BD, completeness 10 BD, screens 15 BD (20 BD if Screen 5 fails), total max 25 BD (30 BD); witness test within 10 BD of Certificate of Completion; Authorization to Interconnect within 5 BD after requirements and meter installation. (uniform MA tariff structure; Unitil tariff not reviewed)

Documents Unitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light) asks for

  • Interconnection application formMA Simplified/Expedited/Standard application per DPU interconnection tariff (M.D.P.U. 375 series) Gridpol prepares this.
  • Single-line diagram (one-line)One-line diagram with application (MA tariff Exhibit A); Unitil-specific checklist not reviewed Gridpol prepares this.
  • Net metering / net billing agreement (when applicable)Schedule Z required to be considered for net metering
  • Final inspection sign-offCertificate of Completion signed by local municipal inspector, uploaded via Documentation Upload Portal
  • Photos (meter, main panel, equipment)Post-installation photos uploaded with Certificate of Completion via Documentation Upload Portal (exact list not published)

How the Unitil (Fitchburg Gas and Electric Light) process runs

  1. (If new/upgraded service needed, request it first.) Installer submits Simplified Process application (Exhibit A) with supporting documents through the utility portal.
  2. Utility acknowledges receipt within 3 business days; completeness determination within 10 business days.
  3. Utility completes screens within 15 business days (20 if Screen 5 fails); total max 25 business days (30 with Screen 5 failure).
  4. Utility countersigns application approval line = Conditional Approval to Interconnect (minor system modifications billed if needed).
  5. Install facility; local municipal wiring inspector signs Certificate of Completion.
  6. Upload Certificate of Completion and installation photos via Unitil Documentation Upload Portal; utility may perform Witness Test within 10 business days or it is deemed waived.
  7. Meter installation; utility issues Authorization to Interconnect within 5 business days after requirements met and meter installed. No parallel operation before Authorization to Interconnect.

Size levels and limits

LevelUp toNote

Unitil page (snippet) still cites 15 kW single-phase / 25 kW three-phase for simplified path; MA uniform tariff now 25 kW - verify Unitil tariff.

Sources

Massachusetts interconnection rule

Commission

Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU)

Interconnection rule

DPU-approved uniform 'Standards for Interconnection of Distributed Generation' tariff of each distribution company (National Grid M.D.P.U. No. 1468; Eversource/NSTAR M.D.P.U. No. 55D; Unitil/FG&E M.D.P.U. No. 484); dockets incl. D.P.U. 19-55, D.P.U. 23-140 – Standards for Interconnection of Distributed Generation · source

Applies to

The investor-owned electric distribution companies (Eversource/NSTAR Electric, National Grid/Massachusetts Electric & Nantucket Electric, Unitil/Fitchburg Gas & Electric). Municipal light plants are not subject.

Application form

Uniform tariff exhibits: Exhibit A Simplified Process Interconnection Application (with Certificate of Completion attachment), Exhibit B Pre-Application Report form, Exhibit C Expedited/Standard application; Interconnection Service Agreement.

Timelines

All time frames in Company Business Days. Simplified (radial): acknowledgement 3 BD, completeness 10 BD, screen review (20 BD if failing screen 5), conditional approval by signed application, witness test within 10 BD of Certificate of Completion or deemed waived, Authorization to Interconnect within 5 BD. Pre-Application Report required >= 250 kW, issued within 10 BD (fee $100 <250 kW, $250 250-500 kW, $750 >500 kW).

Fees

Simplified $28; Expedited/Standard $4.50/kW (min $300, max $7,500) plus supplemental review/studies at cost; witness test actual cost up to $300 plus driving time (Table 6).

Insurance

No insurance required for facilities eligible for Class I net metering (<= 60 kW) per 220 CMR 18.03(2) (company recommends adequate insurance). Otherwise general liability: $500,000 for >10-100 kW; $1M for >100 kW-1 MW; $2M/$5M aggregate for >1-5 MW; $5M for >5 MW (tariff Sec. 11.1).

External disconnect

For Listed inverters the Company MAY require an external disconnect switch (or comparable device by mutual agreement) at the PCC, accessible at all times, gang-operated, visible break, lockable open (tariff 4.2.3.1(b)).

Export compensation

NEM – M.G.L. c. 164 §§ 138-140; 220 CMR 18.00 (Net Metering)
220 CMR 18.02: Class I <= 60 kW (any eligible generation); Class II > 60 kW to <= 1 MW and Class III > 1 MW to <= 2 MW (agricultural, anaerobic digestion, solar or wind). Subject to aggregate net metering caps (not re-read). Applies to distribution companies only.

Not bound by the rule

Municipal light plants (about 40, e.g., WGELD) are not subject to the DPU interconnection tariff or 220 CMR 18.00 and set their own interconnection and net metering policies (some use a similar simplified application).

Other utilities in Massachusetts

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  • Single-line diagram and site plan for every application
  • Pre-submission check against the utility’s requirements
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  • Filing in your utility portal accounts or by the utility’s method
  • Utility questions, corrections and resubmissions
  • Follow-up through approval, inspection and PTO
  • Customer list, exports, API and webhooks
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Applications are typically submitted within 2 business days after complete documents. Utility review times are set by each utility.

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