CEEP Episode 60: $1,000,000 PER DAY? NERC Compliance Deadline 2026

What if your solar project could face penalties of up to $1 million per day for non-compliance? As of May 1, 2026, inverter-based resource (IBR) power plants rated 20 MW or greater and connected at 60 kV or higher must register under updated NERC Category 2 requirements. The compliance threshold has officially dropped from 75 MW to 20 MW, dramatically expanding federal oversight across utility-scale renewable energy assets This is not just paperwork. Compliance now includes: Inverter firmware updates Relay protection setting changes Evidence retention & audit readiness Cybersecurity monitoring Ongoing operational compliance And failure to comply can technically result in penalties up to $1 million per day per violation. In this episode of The Clean Energy Edge, Russ Bates sits down with Kellie Macpherson, EVP of Compliance & Security at Radian Generation, to break down: What NERC is and why it matters What changed in the 2026 rule update Which renewable energy projects are affected The operational and financial impact of compliance Why cybersecurity is now front and center How this shift strengthens the renewable energy industry Kellie explains how renewables are “growing up” and why compliance helps position solar, wind, and battery storage as reliable, grid-supporting assets — not liabilities. 🔎 Connect with Kellie Macpherson & Radian Generation: 🌐 Website: https://radian.com 🔗 Kellie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelliemacpherson/ Radian Generation provides compliance, cybersecurity, and operational support for utility-scale renewable assets.   If you operate, develop, or invest in utility-scale solar, wind, or battery storage — this is a must-watch. Subscribe for more real conversations on clean energy policy, grid reliability, and the future of power.