Yancheng distributed photovoltaic enters the "精耕时代" (intensive cultivation era): What changes should developers/contractors/power grid companies make after 430 and 531?

On May 3, the Yancheng Municipal Government issued the "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development and Construction of Distributed Photovoltaics in Our City," putting forward refined requirements for the planning, grid connection, development, operation, and management of distributed photovoltaics after 430 and 531.

 

Original text is as follows:

Notice of the Yancheng Municipal People's Government on Issuing the Guiding Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development and Construction of Distributed Photovoltaics in Our City

To the people's governments of all counties (cities, districts), Yancheng Economic and Technological Development Zone, Yancheng South High-tech Zone Management Committee, relevant committees, offices, and bureaus of the city, and relevant directly affiliated units of the city:

The "Guiding Opinions on Promoting the High-Quality Development and Construction of Distributed Photovoltaics in Our City" has been reviewed and approved by the executive meeting of the municipal government and is now issued to you for your earnest implementation.

 

Yancheng Municipal People's Government

May 3, 2025

(This document is publicly released)

In order to further standardize the development and construction management of distributed photovoltaic power generation in our city, continuously promote the safe and efficient operation of distributed photovoltaic power stations and power systems, effectively prevent and resolve safety hazards, effectively protect the life and property safety of the people, and continuously promote the sustainable, healthy, and high-quality development of the distributed photovoltaic power generation industry. Based on the spirit of relevant national and provincial documents on distributed photovoltaics, and in combination with the actual situation of our city, the following guiding opinions are put forward.

I. Strengthen the guidance of planning and layout of distributed photovoltaics

(1) Unified planning of project development and construction. All counties (cities, districts) should adhere to the principle of coordinating the development of distributed photovoltaics with the high-quality development of the local economy. They should conduct a comprehensive and systematic survey of distributed photovoltaic resources in their respective regions, guide local power grid companies to conduct special distribution network planning for distributed photovoltaics, comprehensively consider regional power supply and demand conditions, system absorption conditions, grid carrying capacity, and new energy utilization rates, put forward an overall plan for the development and utilization of distributed photovoltaics, determine the construction scale of distributed photovoltaics in the region, dynamically adjust it according to the actual situation, and guide the reasonable layout of distributed photovoltaics. The buildings and facilities on which distributed photovoltaic power generation projects rely should be legal; Construction is not allowed on illegal buildings or facilities, or on buildings with a hazard identification level of C or D.

(2) Strengthen project filing management. Distributed photovoltaic power generation projects shall determine the filing entity according to the principle of "who invests, who files". For household distributed photovoltaic power generation projects by natural persons, the local power supply companies can act on behalf of the local administrative approval department for centralized filing, or natural persons can file themselves; for non-household, general industrial and commercial, and large-scale industrial and commercial distributed photovoltaic power generation projects by non-natural persons, the investment entity shall apply for filing with the local administrative approval department. It is strictly prohibited to build before filing, file but delay construction, or file but not build. For projects that have not started construction or have not handled any other procedures within 2 years of filing, they shall be dealt with according to relevant regulations and procedures. The project investor shall submit filing materials as required and shall be responsible for the authenticity, legality, and completeness of the materials. If there are major changes in the project legal person, construction location, construction scale, and content, the project filing change procedures shall be handled in a timely manner. Investment projects by non-natural persons shall not be filed in the name of natural persons. For distributed photovoltaic power generation projects for entire villages or large-scale development, they shall not be filed in the name of the house owner by concealing the land lease relationship, and shall not use methods such as withdrawing power generation income from the account of the owner to obtain profits.

(3) Strictly examine project qualifications. The participating units of distributed photovoltaic power generation projects, such as surveying, design, construction, installation, and supervision, shall have the corresponding qualifications stipulated by the state and the industry. Each participating unit shall undertake business within the scope of its qualification permit. Among them, those undertaking design work shall have engineering design qualifications in the power industry (new energy power generation) professional; those undertaking construction work shall have general contracting qualifications for power engineering construction, general contracting qualifications for electromechanical engineering construction, professional contracting for building electromechanical installation engineering, professional contracting for power transmission and transformation engineering, etc. (one of them is sufficient) and a safety production license; those undertaking the installation and commissioning of electrical equipment for grid-related projects such as substations and transmission lines shall have a license for installing (repairing, testing) power facilities; those undertaking supervision work shall have qualifications for power engineering supervision, electromechanical installation engineering supervision, etc. (one of them is sufficient).

II. Optimize grid connection services for distributed photovoltaics

(4) Dynamically conduct grid connection assessment. Local energy authorities shall, in accordance with the requirements of documents such as the Notice of the Jiangsu Provincial Development and Reform Commission on Doing a High-Quality Job in the Grid Connection and Absorption of Distributed Photovoltaics in the Province (Sufa Gai Nengyuanfa [2024] No. 906), guide local power grid companies to conduct grid connection carrying capacity and improvement measures assessment in accordance with relevant standards and specifications, establish a quarterly release and early warning mechanism for the open capacity of the distribution network based on factors such as the scale of distributed photovoltaics, load level, safe and stable operation of the system, flexible adjustment capacity, and power equipment capacity, and guide the scientific and reasonable layout of distributed photovoltaics. Power grid companies shall, in conjunction with project needs, arrange grid reinforcement and substation transformation plans in a timely manner to ensure orderly grid connection and absorption of projects.

(5) Accurately promote grid connection management. Local energy authorities, together with local power grid companies, shall give priority consideration to the future development capacity of the distribution network and the grid carrying capacity, combine the remaining grid connection capacity in the region, and verify the safety margin of the upper-level grid equipment, and comprehensively arrange the scale and timing of grid connection of distributed photovoltaic power generation projects. For new projects whose application for grid connection capacity does not exceed the remaining grid connection capacity and meets the requirements of grid safety, grid connection procedures can be handled according to regulations; for new projects whose application for grid connection capacity exceeds the remaining grid connection capacity and does not meet the requirements of grid safety, the county (city, district) power grid companies shall optimize the layout of grid facilities, comprehensively improve the power supply guarantee capacity and comprehensive carrying capacity of the distribution network, and propose targeted solutions before orderly arranging grid connection. New projects are encouraged to adopt measures such as reasonable configuration or leasing of new energy storage, adding adjustment power sources, and improving the level of terminal electrification to provide adjustment capacity for the power system and improve the grid carrying capacity.

(6) Give priority to nearby and low-voltage grid connection. The grid connection voltage level of distributed photovoltaic power generation projects shall generally follow the relevant standards of the "Technical Guide for Distribution Network Planning and Design" (DLT5729-2023). If multi-voltage level demonstration is required, it shall be determined based on grid conditions and through technical and economic comparison. If both high and low voltage levels have grid connection conditions, low-voltage grid connection shall be given priority based on comprehensive consideration of the remaining grid-connected capacity and on-site balance. In areas without low-voltage grid connection conditions, grid connection conditions can be improved by means such as collecting and stepping up to medium and high-voltage distribution networks or configuring independent energy storage at corresponding substations (substations), and grid connection shall be arranged after the grid connection system assessment meets the requirements of grid safety. Support the construction of distributed photovoltaic power generation projects close to power loads. In areas with concentrated power loads and strong grid structures, low-voltage on-site grid connection shall be adopted to achieve on-site power consumption.

III. Standardize the development and construction order of distributed photovoltaics

(7) Ensure project construction quality. Project design and installation should strictly implement relevant standards and regulations on equipment, construction projects, and safety production. Key factors to be comprehensively analyzed include the building's age, structural type, load-bearing capacity, wind load, snow load, waterproofing technology, usage function, surrounding environment, safety distance, fire-fighting and rescue capabilities, and regional meteorological and geological conditions to effectively avoid safety risks such as natural disasters, fires, explosions, and collapses. Photovoltaic modules, inverters, and other equipment should pass inspections by nationally recognized certification bodies and meet grid connection technical requirements; electrical components should use flame-retardant materials; modules, brackets, accessories, parts, and fasteners should use corrosion-resistant materials or undergo corrosion treatment according to local environmental conditions to eliminate safety hazards from the source.

(8) Strengthen project construction supervision. Investors must strictly implement construction project safety regulations and take effective measures to prevent equipment quality, project quality, and construction safety issues. Strengthen management of high-altitude operations, hot work, live operations, and lifting operations. During rooftop construction, the number of workers and the amount of equipment and materials stacked on a single work surface should be reasonably arranged to prevent collapse accidents caused by excessive concentration of personnel and equipment; the construction site should strengthen safety protection, install guardrails in areas with edges and open spaces, and rooftop skylights, and install protective nets around the roof; promptly clean up flammable and explosive materials on and around the construction site, and take measures such as setting up isolation zones and equipping fire-fighting equipment to prevent fire risks caused by hot work; in the construction of factory roof projects, the emission of flammable waste gas from the factory building should be checked, and the emission of flammable waste gas is strictly prohibited during hot work; strengthen installation and debugging quality management, ensure that the inverter and cable joints are firmly connected, and avoid loose connections causing DC arcing; strengthen construction progress management, strictly prohibit rushing work, and strictly prohibit risky operations in bad weather such as strong winds, rain, snow, and lightning.

(9) Improve project acceptance management. Investors should organize their own completion acceptance in accordance with relevant standards such as "Construction Specifications for Photovoltaic Power Stations" (GB 50794-2012), "Engineering Technical Specifications for Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems" (NB/T 11422-2023), and "Acceptance Specifications for Photovoltaic Power Generation Projects" (GB/T 50796-2012). After project completion acceptance, submit a grid connection acceptance application to the local power grid company. The power grid company will organize equipment acceptance and commissioning, and after passing, it will be connected to the grid. During grid connection acceptance, the power grid company should focus on verifying whether the installed capacity on site is consistent with the filing documents, access system plan, and design drawings, whether the qualifications of the design and construction (test) units meet the relevant requirements, and check the consistency of the certificates of conformity, factory data, and purchase invoice headers of core grid-connected equipment such as photovoltaic modules, inverters, and grid-connected switches with the filing entity. Only after confirmation can the grid be connected. Projects that have not been accepted by the power grid company or have failed acceptance are strictly prohibited from connecting to the grid without authorization. For projects that the local power grid company agrees to connect to the grid, the project investor and the power grid company will sign a "Grid Dispatch Agreement", and the grid-connected project will sign a power purchase and sale contract.

IV. Strengthen the compliant operation management of distributed photovoltaics

(10) Promote the establishment of files and cards. Establish and improve the "bottom-up" self-reporting mechanism and the "top-down" supervision mechanism for establishing files and cards. Local energy authorities should assume the responsibility of organization and be responsible for organizing and supervising investors to establish files and cards and submit data for review, and encourage investors to participate in various power market transactions such as green certificate trading and green electricity trading. Power grid companies should play the role of "hub" in the power grid platform, cooperate with energy authorities to regularly review the information on establishing files and cards, and for natural person household distributed photovoltaic power generation projects, the power grid company is generally responsible for filling in and submitting relevant information. For non-natural person household, general industrial and commercial, and large-scale industrial and commercial distributed photovoltaic power generation projects, the project investor is responsible for filling in the information. The investor is the "first responsible person" for establishing files and cards and bears the primary responsibility for the accuracy and timeliness of the data on establishing files and cards. When the relevant situation of the project changes, the file information should be changed immediately. Distributed photovoltaic power generation projects should complete the filing and card filling work within one month of completion and grid connection.

(11) Guarantee photovoltaic power quality. Newly built distributed photovoltaic power generation projects should have observable, measurable, adjustable, and controllable functions, and existing projects should be gradually retrofitted to have corresponding functions. Distributed photovoltaics connected to the grid at a voltage level below 10 kV should be equipped with equipment with necessary power quality monitoring functions and should be able to achieve power quality index exceeding warning and active control functions. Distributed photovoltaics connected to the grid at a voltage level of 10 kV and above should conduct power quality assessment in the planning and feasibility study stage of accessing the power system, configure online power quality monitoring devices, and take necessary power quality prevention and control measures. Power grid companies should make full use of dispatch dedicated networks, distribution cloud systems, and electricity consumption information collection systems to promptly summarize the access information of various projects within their operating areas, analyze the data, grasp the operating status of various projects, dynamically arrange power grid operation methods, and achieve safe access and observable, measurable, adjustable, and controllable projects.

(12) Strengthen project operation management. After the project is completed, investors are encouraged to establish a professional team or entrust a professional company to undertake the operation and maintenance management of the project to ensure the safe and stable operation of the distributed photovoltaic power station. Investors or operation and maintenance units should strengthen accident prevention, pay attention to local meteorological early warning and forecast information, and properly deal with adverse weather; according to safety production needs, hang and post warning signs in conspicuous locations in and around the project area, and set up isolation fences and other protective devices in risk areas such as electric shock burns and falls from heights; regularly check the integrity, performance, and operating conditions of equipment and facilities, promptly find and eliminate faults such as module hot spots, loose contacts, poor contact, loose bolts, bracket corrosion, damp wires, and insulation breakage, repair or replace aging cables and equipment, and eliminate various safety hazards.

V. Build a solid safety production line for distributed photovoltaics

(13) Tighten and consolidate the main responsibilities. The investor of a distributed photovoltaic power generation project is the main body responsible for the safety production of the project and must implement national and industry safety production management regulations, strengthen the safety production management of the entire process of project construction and operation in accordance with the law, promptly eliminate project safety hazards, and ensure safe operation. Strengthen safety education for construction workers and operation and maintenance personnel, regularly conduct accident warning education, strengthen safety awareness, improve prevention capabilities, and curb the occurrence of accidents such as collapses, fires, electric shocks, falls from heights, and falling objects.

(14) Establish and improve emergency mechanisms. Investors, participating units, operation and maintenance units, and power grid companies should strengthen emergency management of distributed photovoltaic power generation projects. During construction and operation, effective measures should be formulated to properly deal with various natural disasters and accidents. Industrial and commercial distributed photovoltaic power generation projects should also formulate special emergency plans and on-site disposal plans, conduct regular drills, and stockpile necessary emergency rescue materials; strengthen emergency coordination and linkage, establish and improve the communication mechanism between relevant government departments and relevant units in the project location, obtain disaster information in a timely manner, and share emergency resources.

(15) Effectively strengthen safety supervision. Local governments should implement normalized safety supervision responsibilities, actively organize emergency and energy, data, housing and urban-rural development, and other departments and power grid companies to establish a joint supervision mechanism for the safe operation of distributed photovoltaic power stations, regularly inspect the development, construction, grid connection operation, and safety production of distributed photovoltaic power stations, and order rectification of those that are connected to the grid without filing, privately increase power generation capacity, or supply power to the outside without approval, in accordance with relevant regulations. Relevant municipal departments should earnestly fulfill their industry supervision responsibilities, conduct safety management work for distributed photovoltaic projects within their industries and units, and urge relevant enterprises and units to implement safety management responsibilities.

This opinion shall come into effect on July 1, 2025, and shall be valid until June 30, 2030. During the implementation period, if national and provincial policies are adjusted, the provisions shall prevail. Local areas may refine supporting measures based on their actual conditions.

 

Division of Responsibilities for the Management of Distributed Photovoltaic Development and Construction

People's Governments of all counties (cities, districts), Yancheng Economic and Technological Development Zone, and Yancheng South High-tech Zone Management Committee: Responsible for promoting the development and utilization of distributed photovoltaics within their jurisdictions. Fulfill local supervision responsibilities, strengthen daily supervision of distributed photovoltaic power generation projects, and legally urge rectification of projects that violate relevant regulations; for those that fail to rectify, they shall be demolished according to law.

Yancheng Municipal Development and Reform Commission: Responsible for coordinating the safe production of distributed photovoltaics, guiding local energy authorities, comprehensively considering the power supply and demand situation, system absorption conditions, grid access capacity, and new energy utilization rate in the region, proposing the construction scale of distributed photovoltaics, dynamically adjusting it according to the actual situation, and guiding reasonable layout. Responsible for organizing local energy authorities and power grid companies to conduct filing and data review and reporting. Organize power grid companies to regularly conduct distribution network planning work and guide power grid companies to improve and upgrade the distribution network.

Yancheng Municipal Natural Resources and Planning Bureau: Responsible for guiding local resource and planning departments to determine the legality of the buildings and facilities on which distributed photovoltaic power generation projects are based, and whether they violate the national spatial plan.

Yancheng Municipal Housing and Urban-Rural Construction Bureau: Responsible for guiding local housing and urban-rural construction departments in the construction of photovoltaic integrated buildings and construction safety management.

Yancheng Municipal Market Supervision Administration Bureau: Responsible for investigating and dealing with illegal acts such as false advertising and the use of counterfeit and substandard products by distributed photovoltaic installation enterprises.

Yancheng Municipal Emergency Management Bureau: Responsible for urging relevant departments to implement safety management responsibilities for enterprises and units within their industries and fields, and guiding relevant departments to conduct emergency rescue work for emergencies that occur during the installation and operation of distributed photovoltaic power generation projects. Legally participate in the investigation and handling of production safety accidents that occur during the installation and operation of distributed photovoltaic power generation projects.

Yancheng Municipal Data Bureau: Responsible for guiding local data departments (administrative approval) to conduct filing work for distributed photovoltaic power generation projects, and promptly summarizing and providing the filing situation of photovoltaic projects at the municipal and county (city, district) levels to the same-level energy authorities. Cooperate with relevant departments to strengthen the mid- and post-event supervision of distributed photovoltaic power generation projects.

Yancheng Municipal Fire Rescue Detachment: Responsible for guiding the fire safety work of distributed photovoltaic power stations, organizing special training and field drills, and improving the ability of emergency rescue for accidents.

Yancheng Power Supply Company: Responsible for providing grid connection services for distributed photovoltaic power generation projects and accepting the inspection of grid-related projects. Strengthen the assessment of grid carrying capacity and publish it to the public through multiple channels on a quarterly basis. Coordinate the regional load level and the demand for distributed photovoltaics, further accelerate grid upgrades and transformations, and improve the access and absorption capacity. Responsible for filling in the filing information for natural person household distributed photovoltaic power generation projects, and urge and guide investors to implement the safe management responsibilities of grid-related operations.

 

Source｜Yancheng Municipal People's Government