What changed with FERC Order 2023 for interconnection queues?

FERC Order 2023 (July 2023) mandated cluster-based 'first-ready, first-served' processing for all RTOs, replacing serial queues. Key changes include higher upfront deposits (3-10x pre-reform levels), commercial readiness requirements at each decision point, financial penalties for queue withdrawal, and strengthened site control demonstration requirements. All 7 major RTOs are now operating under these reforms.

Which RTOs have open application windows in 2026?

As of April 2026: PJM Cycle 1 (deadline April 27, 2026) and SPP CPP Transitional ICS (April 1 - May 31, 2026) are currently open. Upcoming windows include MISO DPP-2026 (~October 2026), CAISO Cluster 16 (October 1-15, 2026), and ISO-NE First Regular Cluster (October 5 - November 19, 2026). NYISO Cluster Study 2 is expected late 2026. ERCOT accepts rolling GINR submissions year-round.

What is SPP's Consolidated Planning Process (CPP)?

SPP's Consolidated Planning Process (CPP) is a major reform approved by FERC on March 13, 2026 that replaces both the Integrated Transmission Planning (ITP) process and DISIS with a single integrated framework under Attachment AY of SPP's OATT. It features annual Interconnection Cluster Studies with a single decision point and a 2-month application window (down from 11 months under DISIS).

2026-2028 Interconnection Cluster Window Calendar — All RTOs

Q: When is the PJM Cycle 1 application deadline?

The PJM Cycle 1 application deadline is April 27, 2026. This is PJM's first post-reform cluster under FERC Order 2023. The study deposit ranges from $75,000 to $400,000 across six tiers based on project MW size (per PJM Manual 14H), plus a readiness deposit of $4,000 per MW due with the application.

2026 Application Windows

FERC Order 2023 cluster reforms are now live across all RTOs. First post-reform cycles for PJM, SPP, and ISO-NE.

RTO	Cycle / Study	Window	Deadline	Status	Study Deposit	Readiness Deposit
PJM	Cycle 1	Q1 – Apr 27	Apr 27, 2026	Open Now	$75K–$400K (6 tiers)	$4,000/MW
SPP	CPP Transitional ICS	Apr 1 – May 31	May 31, 2026	Open Now	GRID FS (varies)	GRID-C/MW (TBD)
MISO	DPP-2026	~Aug – Oct	~Oct 2026	Upcoming	D2 (varies) + $7K fee	$8,000/MW (M2)
CAISO	Cluster 16	Oct 1 – Oct 15	Oct 15, 2026	Upcoming	Per Appendix KK	$10K/MW (site ctrl)
ISO-NE	First Regular Cluster	Oct 5 – Nov 19	Nov 19, 2026	Upcoming	Per Schedule 22	2x study deposit
NYISO	Cluster Study 2	~Late 2026	TBD (45-day window)	TBD	$100K–$250K	20% Phase 1 costs
ERCOT	GINR (rolling)	Year-round	Rolling	Rolling	$5K–$7K app fee	TIF cap: $14.4M–$20.6M

PJM — Cycle 1

First post-reform cluster under FERC Order 2023 (Docket ER22-2110)

Open Now

Application Deadline

April 27, 2026

Study Deposit

$75K (0-20 MW)
$200K (20-50 MW)
$250K (50-100 MW)
$300K (100-250 MW)
$350K (250-750 MW)
$400K (750+ MW)

10% non-refundable; covers Phases I-III. Manual 14H

Readiness Deposit #1

$4,000/MW

Due with application

Key Milestones

Phase I SIS: ~120 days after close

Decision Point I: after Phase I results

Phase II: ~180 days after DP-I

Phase III + IA: ~180 days after Phase II

RD#2 at DP-I = 10% of network upgrade allocation minus RD#1. Must show 100% site control + 1yr extension and 50% of interconnection facilities site control for 1yr.

Sources: PJM Inside Lines · Manual 14H · Applications & Forms

SPP — CPP Transitional ICS

New Consolidated Planning Process replaces DISIS entirely (FERC approved Mar 2026)

Open Now

Application Window

Apr 1 – May 31, 2026

2-month window (down from 11 months under DISIS)

Financial Security

GRID FS required
FS1 due with app

GRID-C rate expected end of 2026

Study Timeline

180-day study
Single Decision Point

FS largely non-refundable after DP

Major Reform Alert

The CPP (Attachment AY) replaces both ITP and DISIS with a single integrated framework. Annual ICS with one decision point. First CPP study cycle conclusion expected 2028. Previously: FS2 = greater of 10% cost factor minus FS1, or $4,000/MW; gen tie = $80K/linear mile.

Sources: SPP CPP Page · FERC Approval (Holland & Knight) · GI Portal

MISO — DPP-2026

Annual DPP cycle. DPP-2025 Phase 1 started Jan 5, 2026

Upcoming

Expected Deadline

~October 2026

Window ~Q3, following annual cadence. Exact dates TBD

Deposits

$7,000 app fee (D1)
D2 study deposit (varies)
$8,000/MW (M2)

D1 non-refundable. M2 = cash or ILOC

Study Timeline

Phase 1 SIS: ~140 days
Full DPP: ~355 days

IBR modeling package required with application

Reform Watch

MISO filed Enhanced Readiness Assessment (ERAS) reforms (Docket ER25-2454), currently protested at FERC. Queue cap mechanisms also under discussion. DPP-2025 attracted ~78 GW of applications.

Sources: MISO GI Page · DPP Schedule (PDF)

CAISO — Cluster 16

IPE 5.0 reforms (scoring, ranking, commercial readiness) expected before window opens

Upcoming

Application Window

Oct 1 – 15, 2026

15-day window. All deposits as separate wires

Deposits

Study: per Appendix KK
Site ctrl: $10K/MW
(min $500K)

Merchant zone: $10K/MW, cap $500K-$5M

Key Date

TPD map: ~mid-Jul 2026

Critical for POI selection. Studies run through 2027-2028

Sources: CAISO IR & Study · GI Portal · Tariff Appendix KK · IPE Track 3: Docket ER25-2044

ISO-NE — First Regular Cluster

Transitional Cluster Study completes Aug 2026, then first regular window opens

Upcoming

Application Window

Oct 5 – Nov 19, 2026

~45-day window

Deposits

Study: per Schedule 22
CRD: 2x study deposit

CRD due with interconnection request

Prerequisite

Transitional Cluster
completes Aug 6, 2026

Studies begin early 2027

FERC Order 2023 compliance: Dockets ER24-2009, ER25-1445, ER25-2149. Financial penalties apply for queue withdrawal.

Sources: ISO-NE Cluster Studies · Schedule 22 LGIP (PDF) · Interconnection Guide

NYISO — Cluster Study 2

Transition Cluster (C24) Decision Period 2 delayed 60 days, pushing subsequent windows

TBD

Expected Window

Late 2026 / Early 2027

45-day window. Opens 15 days before C24 report to OC

Deposits

$10K app fee (non-refund)
Study: $100K (<80 MW)
$150K (80-200 MW)
$250K (≥200 MW)
RD2: 20% Phase 1 costs

C24 Timeline

Phase 2: ~mid-Jun 2026
Final DP: Jun–Aug 2026

Cluster enhancements under consideration

Sources: NYISO Interconnections · Cluster Enhancements (PDF) · Tariff Section 40.5

ERCOT — GINR Process

Rolling submissions (no cluster window). Major batch study reform in progress

Rolling

Application

Year-round via RIOO-IS

FIS: 180-day window to proceed or GINR cancelled

Fees

$5K (≤150 MW)
$7K (>150 MW)

Non-refundable application fee

2026 Changes

TIF cap: $14.4M (≤138kV)
TIF cap: $20.6M (>138kV)

CPI-adjusted annually. Effective Jan 1, 2026

Major Reform Coming

PUCT directed ERCOT to overhaul the interconnection process (Project No. 59142). Board vote deadline: June 1, 2026. New batch study protocol target effective date: summer 2026 (PGRR 145 / NPRR 1325). Two tracks: Batch Zero and Legacy LLIS.

Sources: ERCOT Resource Integration · 2026 Deposit Changes (EPE)

2027 Projected Windows

Based on established cadences and tariff requirements. Dates are estimated — confirm with each RTO as windows are announced.

RTO	Cycle / Study	Expected Window	Confidence	Study Deposit	Readiness Deposit
PJM	Cycle 2	~Q1–Q2 2027	Likely	$75K–$400K	$4,000/MW
SPP	CPP ICS-2	~Apr–May 2027	Likely	GRID FS + GRID-C/MW	Per CPP tariff
MISO	DPP-2027	~Aug–Oct 2027	Likely	D2 (varies) + $7K fee	$8,000/MW (M2)
CAISO	Cluster 17	~Oct 1–15, 2027	Likely	Per Appendix KK	$10K/MW (site ctrl)
ISO-NE	Regular Cluster 2	~Oct–Nov 2027	Likely	Per Schedule 22	2x study deposit
NYISO	Cluster Study 3	~Mid–Late 2027	TBD	$100K–$250K	20% Phase 1 costs
ERCOT	Batch Study (new)	TBD (new framework)	TBD	TBD per new rules	TBD per new rules

2027 Outlook

PJM Cycle 2 timing depends on Cycle 1 study progress. Annual cadence expected but not guaranteed.
SPP CPP first transitional study concludes ~2028. ICS-2 window expected on annual cadence.
MISO may implement ERAS reforms or queue caps that alter deposit structure for DPP-2027.
CAISO IPE 5.0 scoring/ranking will be fully in effect. Cluster 16 studies running concurrently.
ERCOT will be operating under the new batch study framework (effective Aug 2026). Expect different cadence and deposit structure.
NYISO timeline depends on C24 final decision outcomes and any further delays.

2028 Projected Windows

Longer-range projections based on annual cadences. Higher uncertainty — treat as planning horizons, not confirmed dates.

RTO	Cycle / Study	Expected Window	Confidence	Notes
PJM	Cycle 3	~Q1–Q2 2028	Estimated	Annual cadence. Deposit tiers may be revised based on Cycle 1 experience
SPP	CPP ICS-3	~Apr–May 2028	Estimated	First CPP transitional study concluding. GRID-C rates established
MISO	DPP-2028	~Aug–Oct 2028	Likely	Most predictable cadence. ERAS reforms likely in effect
CAISO	Cluster 18	~Oct 1–15, 2028	Likely	Annual cadence well-established. IPE reforms fully mature
ISO-NE	Regular Cluster 3	~Oct–Nov 2028	Estimated	Depends on Regular Cluster 1 & 2 study timelines
NYISO	Cluster Study 4	TBD	TBD	Highly dependent on prior cluster study completion pace
ERCOT	Batch Study Year 2	TBD	TBD	New batch framework will have one full year of operation data

2028 Planning Notes

By 2028, all seven RTOs will have completed at least one full post-reform cluster cycle. Expect deposit structures to be adjusted based on lessons learned. FERC may issue further guidance or reforms. This calendar will be updated quarterly as windows are confirmed.

Deposit Comparison at a Glance

What it costs to enter the queue — for a 200 MW solar project

RTO	Application Fee	Study Deposit	Readiness / Milestone	Est. Total Entry Cost
PJM	Included	$250,000	$800,000	$1,050,000
MISO	$7,000	Varies	$1,600,000	$1,600,000+
CAISO	Per tariff	Per Appendix KK	$2,000,000	$2,000,000+
ISO-NE	Included	Per Schedule 22	2x study deposit	3x study deposit
NYISO	$10,000	$250,000	20% of Phase 1 costs	$260,000+
SPP	Included	GRID FS	GRID-C/MW	TBD (new framework)
ERCOT	$7,000	Per fee schedule	TIF allowance caps	$7,000+ fees

Estimates for a 200 MW solar project. Actual costs vary by project size, location, and required upgrades. MISO M2 = $8,000/MW. CAISO site control deposit = $10,000/MW. PJM RD#1 = $4,000/MW.

Why Every Window Looks Different Now

FERC Order 2023 (July 2023)

→ Mandated cluster-based "first-ready, first-served" process for all RTOs
→ Higher upfront deposits to deter speculative queue entries
→ Commercial readiness requirements at each decision point
→ Financial penalties for withdrawal to reduce queue churn
→ Site control demonstration requirements strengthened

What This Means for 2026-2028

→ PJM, SPP, ISO-NE running first-ever post-reform cycles in 2026
→ Deposit structures are 3-10x higher than pre-reform levels
→ Application windows are shorter and more rigid
→ Each RTO implemented compliance differently — no two are identical
→ Expect further tariff revisions as RTOs learn from first cycles

Manual Tracking (This Calendar)	Zonevex (Automated)
Check each RTO's website for window dates	Tracks all 7 RTOs — alerts you when windows open
Calculate deposits per project in spreadsheets	Auto-calculates deposits for every project at every decision point
Manually verify site control meets each RTO's requirements	Parses lease PDFs, validates coverage against RTO thresholds automatically
Track deadlines across multiple RTOs in a calendar	Portfolio-wide deadline dashboard with 90/60/30-day alerts

Request a Demo

See how Zonevex automates compliance across all RTOs for your entire portfolio.

Official RTO Resources

PJM — Applications & Forms MISO — Generator Interconnection CAISO — Generator Interconnection ISO-NE — Cluster Studies NYISO — Interconnections SPP — Consolidated Planning Process ERCOT — Resource Integration FERC — Order 2023 Explainer

Stop Tracking Deadlines Manually

This calendar covers one snapshot in time. Zonevex tracks every deadline, deposit, and site control requirement across your entire portfolio — automatically.

Request a Demo

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an interconnection cluster study window?

A cluster study window is a fixed period during which an RTO/ISO accepts new interconnection applications. Under FERC Order 2023, all major RTOs moved from serial (first-come, first-served) processing to cluster-based studies where applications submitted during the same window are studied together. Windows typically last 15 to 45 days depending on the RTO.

When is the PJM Cycle 1 application deadline?

The PJM Cycle 1 application deadline is April 27, 2026. This is PJM's first post-reform cluster under FERC Order 2023. The study deposit ranges from $75,000 to $400,000 across six tiers based on project MW size (per PJM Manual 14H), plus a readiness deposit of $4,000 per MW due with the application. See the PJM Cycle 1 Submission Toolkit for a complete preparation guide.

How much does it cost to enter the interconnection queue in 2026?

Costs vary significantly by RTO. For a 200 MW solar project: PJM requires ~$1.05M (study deposit + $4,000/MW readiness deposit), MISO requires ~$1.6M+ ($8,000/MW milestone payment), CAISO requires ~$2M+ ($10,000/MW site control deposit), and NYISO requires ~$260K+ ($10K app fee + $250K study deposit). Use the PJM Financial Calculator to model your specific exposure.

What changed with FERC Order 2023?

FERC Order 2023 (July 2023) mandated cluster-based "first-ready, first-served" processing for all RTOs. Key changes: higher upfront deposits (3-10x pre-reform), commercial readiness requirements at each decision point, financial penalties for withdrawal, and strengthened site control requirements. See our compliance guide.

Which RTOs have open application windows right now?

As of April 2026: PJM Cycle 1 (deadline Apr 27) and SPP CPP (Apr 1 – May 31) are open. Upcoming: MISO DPP-2026 (~Oct), CAISO Cluster 16 (Oct 1-15), ISO-NE (Oct 5 – Nov 19). NYISO expected late 2026. ERCOT accepts rolling submissions.

What is SPP's Consolidated Planning Process?

SPP's CPP was approved by FERC on March 13, 2026, replacing both ITP and DISIS with a single framework under Attachment AY. Annual ICS with a single decision point and 2-month application windows (down from 11 months).

Interconnection ClusterWindow Calendar

2026 Application Windows

PJM — Cycle 1

SPP — CPP Transitional ICS

MISO — DPP-2026

CAISO — Cluster 16

ISO-NE — First Regular Cluster

NYISO — Cluster Study 2

ERCOT — GINR Process

2027 Projected Windows

2028 Projected Windows

Deposit Comparison at a Glance

Why Every Window Looks Different Now

FERC Order 2023 (July 2023)

What This Means for 2026-2028

Official RTO Resources

Stop Tracking Deadlines Manually

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Reading

Interconnection Cluster
Window Calendar