The current grid interconnection process often forces developers to wait up to four years for approval, creating a bottleneck that hinders energy expansion. Surplus Interconnection Service (SIS) sidesteps this delay by utilizing the unused capacity at existing power plants. Because many facilities—whether thermal or renewable—do not operate at full output around the clock, their connection agreements frequently sit idle. SIS permits new solar arrays or battery storage systems to install on-site at these "host" plants, effectively bypassing the standard queue and avoiding the need for expensive, ratepayer-funded transmission line construction.

Indiana and Virginia have moved to formalize this process following federal mandates. Indiana’s Senate Enrolled Act 240, signed by Governor Mike Braun, mandates that utilities audit their existing plants to identify untapped capacity. With 40% of the state’s plants generating power for less than four months annually, the potential for expansion is significant. Meanwhile, Virginia’s S.B. 508, signed by Governor Abigail Spanberger, focuses specifically on solar farms. The legislation requires utilities to assess these sites for battery storage pilot programs, transforming intermittent solar generation into dispatchable energy that can be deployed during evening demand spikes. By leveraging existing infrastructure, both states hope to stabilize energy prices while meeting the rising demand for electricity.