With the large-scale popularization of distributed photovoltaics, the technical specifications for supporting grid access continue to iterate and update. The new version of grid connection standards and supporting policies will be gradually implemented in 2026, covering various scenarios such as household use, industry and commerce, and ground photovoltaics. More refined requirements will be put forward in terms of power quality, fault protection, consumption management, and measurement traceability, providing clear guidance for the early planning, equipment selection, and grid connection acceptance of photovoltaic projects, and helping investors and construction parties avoid grid connection risks in advance.
At the technical standard level, the new version of the national standard GB/T 33342-2026 for household photovoltaic grid connection has been officially implemented, replacing the old version of the specification. For 220V low-voltage grid connected household photovoltaic systems, it refines hard indicators such as active and reactive power regulation, low-voltage ride through, power quality, relay protection, communication monitoring, and grid connection detection. The new standard strengthens the adaptability requirements of inverters to the power grid, sets stricter thresholds for harmonics, voltage fluctuations, islanding protection, and fast shutdown functions, further reduces the disturbance of distributed power sources to residential distribution networks, and maintains the safety bottom line of distribution networks. The updated guidelines for evaluating the carrying capacity of distribution networks for industrial, commercial, and ground photovoltaic projects will be implemented simultaneously. The single fixed reverse load rate red line will be abandoned, and a dynamic carrying capacity evaluation mechanism of green, yellow, and red will be adopted. Combined with the load of the substation area, energy storage configuration, and voltage regulation capacity, the access capacity will be comprehensively judged to achieve scientific evaluation, flexible acceptance, and release more space for grid connection of distribution networks.
The rules for consumption and operation management are a major highlight of the 2026 grid connection policy. At the national level, a new policy for multi-user green power direct connection has been launched, targeting industrial parks, logistics parks and other industrial and commercial clusters. Distributed photovoltaics are supported to share and supply green power to multiple enterprises in the park through dedicated distribution facilities. The safety responsibility interface between the project and the public power grid is clearly defined, and the "load based source" planning principle is adhered to. Priority is given to on-site consumption, and it is clarified that the on grid electricity of grid connected projects should not exceed 20% of the total power generation, guiding projects to match electricity loads and reduce the occupation of public power grid channels and peak shaving resources. This new model is very suitable for connected rooftop photovoltaics and integrated photovoltaic storage projects in parks, providing electricity companies with a new grid connection option in addition to traditional self use.
Measurement, communication, and traceability requirements need to be upgraded synchronously. The new standard requires grid connected gateways to be equipped with time-sharing bidirectional intelligent metering devices, supporting hourly level electricity collection, achieving accurate traceability of power generation, self consumption, and grid connected electricity. Green electricity data can be directly linked to green certificate application and carbon accounting systems, meeting the data needs of enterprise ESG and supply chain low-carbon audits. All grid connected inverters and combiner devices need to have a stable data upload channel, which can upload real-time voltage, current, power, and fault alarm information to the grid platform. The grid side can achieve remote monitoring and orderly regulation, supporting the stable operation of high proportion new energy distribution networks.
Industry service providers remind that different scenarios of photovoltaic projects have different focuses when connecting to the power grid: household photovoltaic projects focus on checking the inverter protection function, line insulation, and substation carrying capacity; Industrial and commercial rooftops, as well as logistics park photovoltaics, require advance review of access system solutions to coordinate reactive power compensation and energy storage supporting plans; Agricultural photovoltaic, fishery photovoltaic, and ground photovoltaic power stations also need to consider boosting equipment, grounding and lightning protection, and fault crossing performance. In the early stage of the project, it is necessary to carry out scheme design according to the latest standards, select equipment in accordance with national standards, and complete the grid connection acceptance strictly in accordance with the requirements of the power grid to avoid rework and grid connection delays.
Industry experts say that the core idea of the 2026 grid connection standard system will shift from "restricted access" to "friendly grid connection and on-site consumption". Under the premise of ensuring the safety of the power grid, the new standard innovates the direct connection mode of green electricity, optimizes the evaluation method of carrying capacity, and promotes the transformation of photovoltaic projects from simple power generation and grid connection to integrated energy units with source load coordination and intelligent adjustability. Only by fully understanding the new grid connection regulations and pre compliant design can we ensure the smooth grid connection and stable operation of photovoltaic projects, and continuously release green benefits.
