Revision Energy told the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners on May 22 that Eversource has unexpectedly reversed earlier interconnection findings and now requires a grounding transformer for the county’s new solar array — a change Revision said could add “low 6 figures” in rework costs and delay energizing the system by six to 12 months.

The change threatens the county’s ability to claim an elective federal income‑tax payment tied to the Inflation Reduction Act, Revision said, because the county must place the project in service before the fiscal‑year end to register for the credit. "We're probably talking low 6 figures for the rework and this transformer grounding matter," Revision Energy Chief Operating Officer James Hasselbeck told the commissioners. "We have an airtight documentation trail wherever sources told us we do not need this piece of equipment."

The nut of the problem: Revision said the county and contractor completed mechanical work and testing and had an executed interconnection agreement with Eversource that did not require a grounding transformer. Revision described multiple earlier studies and a signed interconnection agreement and said Eversource’s contractor (identified in the discussion as Burns & McDonnell) then recommended adding a grounding transformer shortly before a witness test. Revision said Eversource’s prior written position — that "This project does not require a grounding transformer" — appears in the interconnection studies and agreement.

Why it matters: Revision said missing the county’s fiscal deadline would jeopardize an estimated $3,000,000 in federal elective credits tied to the project’s placed‑in‑service date. Revision also said the equipment must be custom manufactured, so lead times are long. "Best case, 6 months, likely 9 to 12," Revision’s project manager explained when commissioners pressed on timing. Revision added the transformer is an additional protection scheme and that the array already includes multiple redundant protections.

Discussion and follow‑up: Commissioners and Revision discussed escalation and legal options. Revision said it had escalated the issue within Eversource — to a distributed‑generation manager, a vice president of government affairs and others — and had asked for a legal or technical explanation but had not received one. Revision asked the county, as the legal interconnection counterparty, to take the lead on next steps. Commissioner Kate Coyle said the board would "probably talk in non public session about a course of action" and follow up with Revision in short order.

What was not decided: The board did not vote on any formal action during the public meeting. Commissioners directed staff to review written correspondence from Eversource and Revision and to consider next steps in nonpublic session. Revision declined to speculate on Eversource’s internal analysis and said it had no change on its own equipment, only the utility’s new requirement.

Context and technical points: Revision described interconnection as a multi‑stage process in which utilities study detailed technical submissions and may require additional equipment to protect the grid. Revision said grounding transformers are required in roughly 10 percent of projects it builds in New England; they provide extra protection in certain fault conditions but are not active during normal operation. Revision emphasized it had completed mechanical commissioning and testing of inverters, switchboards and transformers and was awaiting Eversource’s witness test and permission to operate.

Next steps: Revision agreed to share its correspondence with Eversource that indicates earlier approvals; the board asked staff to circulate that email thread to commissioners. Commissioners said they would discuss potential legal or administrative responses with counsel in a nonpublic session before returning to Revision with a plan.

Ending: Revision urged a quick resolution so the county can place the system in service and claim the federal credit; the board indicated it would consider short‑term measures and legal options and stay in close contact with Revision Energy.