(a)    A person who is negotiating a contract with an eligible customer–generator to install a solar electric generating facility on the customer–generator’s property that the customer–generator owns and operates, leases and operates, or contracts with a third party that owns and operates and that requires interconnection with an electric company’s distribution facilities:

(1)    shall submit to the customer–generator’s electric company a completed application for interconnection of the solar electric generating facility with the electric company’s distribution facilities;

(2)    before receiving the electric company’s approval of the application submitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection:

(i)    may accept payment from the customer–generator in connection with the contract; but

(ii)    may not begin installation of the solar electric generating facility on the customer–generator’s property;

(3)    shall notify the customer–generator of the electric company’s approval or disapproval of the application submitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection; and

(4)    if the electric company disapproves the application submitted under paragraph (1) of this subsection, shall fully refund any payment from the customer–generator under paragraph (2)(i) of this subsection.

(b)    On request of a person under subsection (a)(1) of this section, an electric company shall process an application submitted under subsection (a)(1) of this section and notify the person whether the application is approved or disapproved in accordance with a process and time frame specified in regulations adopted by the Commission.

(c)    (1)    In this subsection, “installation process” includes:

(i)    an approved application submitted under subsection (a)(1) of this section;

(ii)    completion of the installation of the customer–generator’s solar electric generating facility and any required electric distribution system upgrades; and

(iii)    completion of all necessary paperwork and documentation, including a signed interconnection agreement, certificate of completion, and an inspection certificate.

(2)    (i)    Subject to subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, an electric company shall issue acceptance and final approval to operate a customer–generator’s solar electric generating facility on the electric company’s distribution facilities within 20 business days after the completion of the installation process and receipt of the paperwork and documentation set forth in paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection.

(ii)    An electric company shall complete the interconnection requirements under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph for at least 90% of installation processes completed during the year in the electric company’s service territory.

(3)    The Commission may temporarily waive the requirements under paragraph (2) of this subsection in an electric company’s service territory on a showing of good cause.