Everything You Need To Know About Grid Feasibility for Utility-Scale Solar and Storage Development

Even the most promising solar or storage site can become a stranded asset without a viable grid connection.

In markets where interconnection queues stretch years and capacity maps change monthly, grid feasibility is a critical determinant of whether a project makes it to NTP. And yet, too many development teams are flying blind, relying on static PDFs, siloed spreadsheets, or delayed feedback from DSOs and TSOs. 

The result? Missed queue positions. Redundant permitting work. Abandoned sites after months of negotiation.

This page is your guide to getting ahead of those risks.

Whether you’re a greenfield solar developer, a BESS-first player, or exploring hybrid strategies, we’ll cover what makes a grid connection viable, how to assess feasibility early, and how Glint Solar helps teams identify interconnection-ready sites before others even open the map.

TL;DR

• Grid feasibility can make or break a project. No access = no project, no matter how perfect the land.
  
  
• Evaluate grid access early. Don’t wait until after land control or permitting, get clarity before engaging landowners.
  
  
• Viability depends on multiple factors: distance, voltage, capacity, queue status, upgrade cost, and region-specific rules.
  
  
• Delays are expensive. Missed queue slots and late-stage rework can add $100,000+ in soft costs.
  
  
• Glint Solar helps teams assess feasibility faster. Visualize substations, filter by voltage and distance, and screen land and grid access together.
  
  

Before we continue…

The grid infrastructure world, like many industries, is filled with acronyms and shorthand naming that can sometimes be confusing. For clarity, check out this handy list of explanations below:

DSO – Distribution System Operator
The local entity responsible for managing lower-voltage electricity distribution. In solar and BESS development, DSOs are often the first point of contact for grid connection at the regional level.

TSO – Transmission System Operator
Oversees the high-voltage transmission grid. TSOs manage capacity studies, interconnection approvals, and broader grid planning. Examples include RTE in France and National Grid ESO in the UK.

PPA – Power Purchase Agreement
A long-term contract between a developer and an energy buyer (e.g. utility, corporate offtaker) that defines pricing, volume, and delivery terms for renewable energy projects.

ISO – Independent System Operator
A U.S. entity responsible for managing electricity markets and grid reliability across a defined region. Examples include CAISO (California) and ISO-NE (New England).

RTO – Regional Transmission Organization
Similar to an ISO but with broader planning and coordination responsibilities. Examples include PJM and MISO. Both ISOs and RTOs set the rules and manage the interconnection queues in their jurisdictions.

RTE – Réseau de Transport d'Électricité
France’s national transmission system operator. RTE conducts PEFA and PTF studies, allocates grid capacity, and governs large-scale project interconnection.

MV – Medium Voltage
Typically refers to voltages between 1kV and 35kV. MV infrastructure is common in solar and storage design for connecting to the distribution grid via substations or switchgear.

What Makes a Grid Connection Feasible?

Not all substations are created equal, and not every project needs the same level of access. Grid feasibility isn’t binary; it’s a layered assessment shaped by voltage levels, technical capacity, connection cost, and local regulations. Here's what developers need to evaluate.

1. Available Capacity (Injection or Withdrawal Headroom)

Capacity is the starting point. If there’s no headroom, there’s no project. But public capacity maps are often outdated, incomplete, or missing altogether. In France, for instance, many developers rely on opaque data from RTE or DSOs, leading to speculative site selection. In Spain, REE temporarily halted new interconnection applications in 2023 due to regional saturation.

What to look for:

• Substations with confirmed MW headroom for the project size
• Regions not flagged as “saturated” or “under study”
• Historical acceptance rates of connection requests in the area
  
  

2. Distance to Viable Substation

Even if capacity exists, distance can kill a project. Long line extensions increase CapEx, permitting complexity, and losses. Many developers now apply strict thresholds, often <1 km from viable nodes, during early site screening.

Best practice: Evaluate parcels and grid access together, not sequentially.

3. Voltage Level and Project Type Alignment

Connecting to the wrong voltage level adds unnecessary cost and technical hurdles. In the UK, BESS developers targeting 132kV substations face a different process than 33kV. In Germany, medium-voltage vs. high-voltage grid ownership changes who you’re negotiating with, and what permits are required.

Rule of thumb:

• Small-mid PV or BESS: 20–33kV
• Utility-scale hybrid: 90–132kV+
• Retrofit or DSO-led zones: Medium-voltage or lower
  
  

In this short clip below, Glint Solar's BESS lead Kai Erspamer explains why voltage, ownership, and connection strategy must align from the start and what happens when they don’t.

Want to see the full webinar? Watch it here.

4. Connection Queue Status and Timeline

Queues are now a strategic battleground. In the U.S., over 2,600 GW of capacity sits in interconnection queues. In France, RTE’s "file d’attente" operates on a first-come, first-served basis with little transparency on who’s ahead.

Developers need visibility into:

• Position in the queue (if submitted)
• Typical processing times for PEFA or PTF studies
• Whether capacity is “reserved” or “conditional”
• If fast-track or grouped connections are an option
  
  

5. Grid Upgrade Cost and Risk Sharing

A project might technically connect, but not financially. If grid upgrades are required, the cost is often passed on to the developer. In some markets (e.g. France’s TURPE system), regional connection programs allow shared infrastructure costs, but navigating these programs requires deep familiarity.

Warning signs:

• No standardized quote timeline (e.g. Enedis can take 12+ months)
• DSOs refusing to explore alternative technical solutions
• Uncertainty around who bears transformer or line extension costs

Common Grid Bottlenecks by Market

Every country has its own flavor of interconnection pain. Understanding where bottlenecks typically emerge, and how they’re evolving, is key to qualifying land with eyes wide open. Below, we break down key grid constraints and trends in core solar and BESS markets across Europe and the U.S.

France

Grid challenges meet regulatory opacity

• DSO monopoly: Enedis handles 95% of distribution grid connections, and is frequently cited by developers for opaque cost breakdowns and limited technical flexibility.
  
  
• No priority for renewables: Unlike Germany, French law does not prioritize RE connections, making timelines uncertain.
  
  
• PEFA/PTF delays: RTE has up to three months for each study, but real-world timelines often extend beyond a year.
  
  
• First-come, first-served: Queue positions drive pricing, but developers get little insight into who’s ahead.
  
  

Developer takeaway: Prioritize substations in less-saturated regions and start capacity checks as early as possible.

Germany

Grid coordination meets growing saturation

• Bundled transparency: Open data platforms (e.g. Netzentwicklungsplan) help identify viable connection points, but delays persist.
  
  
• DSO variability: Each federal state has different permitting and grid coordination requirements.
  
  
• Queue saturation rising: In solar-heavy regions like Bavaria, interconnection capacity is rapidly consumed.
  
  
• DSO involvement expected: Developers must often present detailed grid operation plans even in early stages.
  
  

Developer takeaway: Treat substations as pre-qualification criteria, not a post-land acquisition step.

Spain

Too much solar, not enough bandwidth

• Grid pause precedent: REE temporarily stopped accepting interconnection requests in 2023 due to regional saturation.
  
  
• High-value nodes overloaded: Extremadura and Andalusia, previously developer darlings, now face queue freezes.
  
  
• Curtailment risks rising: Even approved projects face energy dumping if local demand doesn’t align with generation.
  
  

Developer takeaway: Use grid constraints as filters, not just afterthoughts, and plan for hybrid or storage-inclusive designs.

United Kingdom

Decentralized access, national bottlenecks

• 10–15 year delays: Distribution networks are experiencing multi-decade interconnection lead times in parts of southern and eastern England.
  
  
• DSO vs. TSO divergence: Connection requirements differ based on grid ownership and project voltage.
  
  
• BESS as a workaround: Developers are increasingly using standalone storage to secure grid access and later co-locate solar.
  
  

Developer takeaway: Investigate BESS-first grid plays as a strategic route into saturated nodes.

United States

Massive queues, diverse rules

• 2,600+ GW in queue: Berkeley Lab reports over a third of new applications include BESS components.
  
  
• No federal standard: Queue management varies by ISO/RTO, e.g. CAISO, ERCOT, PJM, creating inconsistent timelines and rules.
  
  
• Hybrid design surging: In many markets, hybrid projects (PV+BESS) have a better chance at securing interconnection than solar alone.
  
  

Developer takeaway: Design with flexibility and evaluate storage potential before interconnection requests go in.

How to Assess Grid Feasibility Early (Without Consultants or Guesswork)

Grid feasibility used to be a black box. Developers often pursued land acquisition and design work long before getting a clear view of whether, or how, a site could connect. But as interconnection delays stretch into years and queue rejections become common, this approach is no longer viable.

Instead, top developers are treating grid access as a first-pass filter, not a post-design hurdle. Here’s how to bring grid feasibility into your early-stage workflows, with the right data, timing, and tools.

1. Start with Known Grid Infrastructure, Not Just 'Good Land'

Instead of starting with a great-looking parcel and trying to make it work, flip the process:

• Begin by identifying substations with available or near-future capacity
  
  
• Filter by voltage levels that match your project type (e.g. 33kV or 132kV)
  
  
• Use GIS overlays to highlight ideal distances (e.g. <1km from node)
  
  

By screening for viable connection points first, you narrow your land search to areas with true build potential, and save months of wasted prospecting.

Pro tip: In saturated markets, prioritize substations flagged for upcoming upgrades or located near industrial loads that may offer behind-the-meter potential.

2. Check Ownership and Queue Conditions

Understanding who operates the node is just as important as where it is. Grid ownership (DSO vs. TSO) determines:

• Permitting pathways
  
  
• Application format
  
  
• Required technical documentation
  
  

You’ll also want visibility into queue saturation. While not all countries publish this openly, developer networks, DSO portals, and grid strategy reports (e.g. France’s PPE or Germany’s NEP) can help triangulate the likelihood of curtailment, delay, or rejection.

3. Account for Voltage Matching and Trenching Costs

Once you’ve identified a promising substation, dig deeper into:

• Voltage compatibility, Can your planned transformer configuration step up to the required level?
  
  
• Route length and trenching feasibility, Long cable runs can kill a project’s economics, especially at MV.
  
  

Simple tools like routing calculators or line-of-sight pathing can help assess viability before engineering time is spent.

4. Pre-Screen Hybrid or Storage-First Options

Even if your goal is PV, the reality is: storage can unlock grid access. In the UK, Spain, and parts of the U.S., developers are using standalone BESS applications to:

• Secure queue positions
  
  
• Qualify for hybrid interconnection structures
  
  
• Avoid curtailment or capture more value in congested areas
  
  

Pre-screening sites for storage suitability, including available land area, setback flexibility, and fire code compliance, can preserve optionality if PV-only proves unviable.

5. Bring Teams Into One View

Grid evaluation often lives in engineering silos. But real feasibility decisions happen earlier, during land prospecting, zoning checks, and internal site reviews.

That’s why top developers are bringing land, commercial, and GIS teams into the grid conversation from day one. Shared tools, clear capacity indicators, and quick visibility into red flags (e.g. line congestion or fire risk zones) mean fewer costly surprises down the line.

PV vs. BESS vs. Hybrid: How Development Considerations Differ

As solar and battery storage become increasingly co-located, it’s easy to assume they follow the same development logic. But while these assets can share a project boundary and even an interconnection point, they each come with distinct grid, land, permitting, and commercial realities.

Understanding these differences early helps teams avoid costly missteps, and unlock smarter hybrid project strategies from day one.

1. Grid Connection Pathways

PV systems are primarily generation assets. Developers apply for injection rights into the grid and typically model output based on expected irradiance. But in saturated grids or low-demand areas, curtailment risk increases, and securing a viable connection can be time-consuming or even impossible without upgrades.

BESS, on the other hand, is both a load and a generator. It often requires both injection and withdrawal rights, adding complexity to the grid application. Some TSOs and DSOs may request detailed operational plans to understand how the system will support grid stability or participate in ancillary services.

In hybrid configurations, solar and storage can share a single interconnection application. This allows developers to flatten generation profiles, reduce clipped energy, and boost their position in queue-limited markets. But shared interconnection comes with trade-offs in sizing, control logic, and compliance.

2. Land Requirements and Layout Constraints

Solar PV projects need wide, unshaded, and gently sloped parcels, ideally south-facing in the northern hemisphere. Access roads are less intensive, and terrain can be slightly undulating if single-axis trackers are used.

BESS requires flat, compacted, and accessible terrain, often with <5% slope. Installation involves cranes and heavy containers, so robust access routes and turning radii are essential. Additionally, storage brings fire safety setbacks, noise thresholds, and buffer zones that don’t typically apply to PV.

Hybrid projects must account for both types of constraints. Optimizing layouts for container placement and solar rows in tandem demands early spatial planning, and sometimes trade-offs between optimal solar yield and storage siting flexibility.

3. Permitting and Regulatory Complexity

PV permitting is relatively standardized in many markets, but still subject to local zoning rules, environmental studies, and land-use restrictions, particularly for agricultural or protected zones.

BESS projects often face stricter permitting pathways, especially in suburban or industrial-adjacent areas. Fire codes may dictate container spacing, and battery materials can trigger hazardous substances regulations. Noise modeling is increasingly required during the permitting phase, even for early site control.

Hybrid configurations must often clear both sets of hurdles. In some countries, however, co-location can simplify permitting or unlock incentives (e.g. Germany’s innovation tenders, Spain’s PERTE program).

4. Revenue Models and Business Cases

Solar PV revenue models are relatively straightforward, typically structured around PPAs, feed-in tariffs, or merchant market exposure. But in saturated markets, price cannibalization can erode long-term returns.

BESS introduces multi-layered revenue potential:

• Arbitrage (charge low, discharge high)
  
  
• Capacity payments
  
  
• Grid services (frequency, voltage regulation)
  
  
• Curtailment avoidance or market clipping protection
  
  

However, modeling these streams requires careful simulation, and most developers still lack a gold-standard tool for long-term storage revenue forecasting.

Hybrid projects can use storage to smooth generation, meet PPA firming requirements, and unlock access to overloaded substations. But modeling solar + storage economics together, with real-world constraints, remains complex and often slows internal alignment.

5. Development Timing and Queue Strategy

For solar, developers typically prioritize land acquisition, then move to interconnection, often discovering grid issues too late. In saturated networks, this sequence leads to backlogs or abandonment.

BESS developers have more flexibility. In many markets, standalone storage can act as a queue entry strategy, securing a position before firming up project size or land agreements.

Hybrid projects are increasingly treated as parallel evaluations from day one. Developers using tools like Glint Solar often assess solar-only, storage-only, and hybrid configurations side-by-side, helping them pursue the most viable and profitable route as permitting and grid timelines evolve.

Developer Takeaway

Solar and storage may share a meter, but they rarely share the same development logic. Treating PV and BESS as interchangeable is a fast path to costly delays and missed opportunities.

The most successful teams now build optionality into their workflows, qualifying land and grid potential not just for solar, not just for storage, but for the most strategic hybrid design. By doing so, they minimize risk, maximize flexibility, and stay ahead of bottlenecks that stop other projects cold.

How Glint Solar Supports Grid Feasibility at Every Stage

As substations fill up, queue transparency erodes, and DSOs tighten their requirements, grid feasibility must be addressed from day one. Glint Solar equips development teams to identify, qualify, and design grid-ready projects before resources are wasted on unsuitable land.

Below, we outline exactly how Glint Solar directly supports grid feasibility across the entire early-stage development pipeline.

1. Grid-Informed Site Discovery

Grid constraints should shape site selection — not follow it. Yet many teams still scout land before understanding local substation capacity or connection requirements. Glint Solar reverses that process by helping developers begin with the grid.

With Glint Solar, teams can:

• Visualize substations and overhead lines by voltage level to match project scale (e.g. 33kV, 132kV, 400kV)
  
  
• Apply proximity filters to identify parcels within viable trenching distances from MV and HV substations
  
  
• Layer custom overlays to identify congested zones or regions with limited injection capacity
  
  
• Pinpoint grid-adjacent land before making contact with landowners, accelerating queue entry and derisking land negotiations
  
  

This early visibility helps ensure that only sites with a plausible grid pathway move forward.

2. Real-Time Constraint Mapping

A promising substation means little if the surrounding land is unbuildable. Grid feasibility must be understood in tandem with physical, regulatory, and permitting constraints — particularly for trench routing, substation buildouts, and DSO approvals.

Glint Solar centralizes these layers in one map-based workspace, so developers can:

• Exclude steep slopes, wetlands, flood zones, and other terrain risks that may complicate trenching or transformer placement
  
  
• Apply environmental or zoning filters relevant to grid interconnection (e.g. industrial land use for BESS, fire zones near inverters)
  
  
• Pre-screen parcels for setback compliance before progressing to layout or capacity checks
  
  
• Save and reuse exclusion parameters to maintain consistency across grid evaluation efforts
  
  

This prevents teams from advancing technically viable interconnection points that are functionally blocked by local constraints.

Check out Glint Solar's Head of Product Lena Karlsen speak more about this below:

Want to see the full webinar? Watch it here.

3. Preliminary Layouts for Solar, BESS, or Hybrid Projects

Grid studies and connection applications often require a layout, but early-stage design is still locked behind engineering teams. Glint Solar makes layout creation fast and flexible, helping developers visually validate grid feasibility earlier.

With Glint Solar, teams can:

• Generate buildable layouts that reflect transformer placement, trench access, and voltage-level setbacks
  
  
• Simulate both PV-only and BESS configurations to explore substation utilization and routing needs
  
  
• Integrate setbacks for noise, fire safety, or zoning into the design process from the start
  
  
• Export CAD-ready designs that accelerate internal reviews and support grid application documentation
  
  

This accelerates interconnection preparation while reducing dependence on engineering bottlenecks.

4. Routing Feasibility

Even when land is flat and substations are nearby, trenching costs can derail grid feasibility. Developers need to validate routing assumptions early to avoid late-stage surprises.

Glint Solar’s routing tool allows users to:

• Map the shortest feasible path between the parcel and substation
  
  
• Account for terrain, obstacles, and roadways to simulate trenching realities
  
  
• Flag sites where trench length exceeds internal cost or voltage drop limits
  
  
• Compare multiple routing scenarios before locking in preferred parcels
  
  

This allows developers to prioritize sites that balance substation availability with realistic grid connection paths.

5. Hybrid and BESS-First Scenario Planning

In many markets, interconnection approval is more likely when storage is included, but only if hybrid design is integrated into early feasibility studies. Glint Solar helps developers screen both solar and BESS configurations side-by-side.

With Glint Solar, teams can:

• Simulate co-located PV+BESS layouts or standalone storage-first projects to assess routing, grid loading, and permitting implications
  
  
• Flag land that meets BESS-specific grid criteria (e.g. industrial zoning, substation proximity)
  
  
• Compare layout outputs, buildable areas, and routing lengths across hybrid vs. standalone scenarios
  
  
• Align stakeholders on the grid strategy most likely to succeed in saturated or competitive markets
  
  

This flexibility ensures developers can pursue the right interconnection strategy — not just the default one.

6. Integrated Noise Modeling

Noise is an increasingly common cause of interconnection delays, particularly for standalone BESS projects near population centers. Glint Solar’s integrated noise simulation allows developers to test feasibility from a permitting and grid-acceptance standpoint.

Features include:

• Real-time decibel modeling from BESS containers, inverters, and transformers
  
  
• Sound wall simulation to test mitigation strategies
  
  
• Distance-based compliance zone overlays to flag risk near sensitive receptors (e.g. homes, schools)
  
  
• Exportable noise maps that can be used in grid application packages and community consultations
  
  

This de-risks the grid application process by proactively addressing one of the most frequent soft blockers.

7. Stakeholder-Ready Visualizations

Grid connection feasibility is not just a technical challenge — it’s a communication challenge. Landowners, permitting officials, and grid operators all need to see a clear, credible plan.

With Glint Solar, teams can:

• Generate annotated layout maps showing routing paths, substation connections, and grid access zones
  
  
• Export 3D visualizations that explain design intent, setbacks, and equipment placement
  
  
• Build custom reports that combine technical design with interconnection rationale
  
  
• Ensure that everyone from DSO reps to permitting officials understands how the project will safely and effectively connect to the grid
  
  

This minimizes friction, improves trust, and helps projects move from concept to queue faster.

Make Grid Feasibility Your Competitive Edge

In today’s saturated, fragmented, and fast-moving energy markets, the ability to screen viable interconnection points early can make or break your pipeline. Miss the mark, and you risk wasting months on dead-end land, losing queue positions, or burning budget on late-stage redesigns.

The most successful development teams are adapting. They’re bringing grid considerations to the front of their workflow. They’re qualifying sites faster, aligning cross-functional teams earlier, and using data to outpace competitors in securing capacity.

Glint Solar is built for exactly this shift.

Whether you’re designing a solar project, evaluating standalone BESS, or planning a hybrid rollout, our platform helps you assess grid viability, route feasibility, and layout readiness from day one.