Information for Industry – Distributed Photovoltaic Management
New requirements will apply to new and upgraded rooftop solar installations from Monday, 14th February 2022.
From this date, all new and upgraded solar PV with an inverter capacity of 5kW or less will need to be capable of being remotely turned down or off in emergency situations.
On the 28th September 2021, AEMO released its Renewable Energy Integration – SWIS Update report. The report highlights the substantial acceleration of DPV uptake in recent years, and identifies priority actions needed to manage the power system.
The requirements will be outlined in Western Power’s Embedded Generator Connection Technical Requirements.
There are multiple ways that this requirement can be met to allow the lowest cost outcome for consumers. In the first instance, the methods available are direct communication to the inverter over the internet via API control (requires household internet), or wiring up the system so that it can be disconnected at the meter (a dual element meter).
In the future, there will also be the option of installing a ‘gateway’ box that can send instructions to an inverter.
Synergy will have a key role in supporting installers by providing information on the options, and on how to meet these requirements. Installers will be required to register with Synergy, to receive updates and details for information sessions and workshops.
There is also a Household Fact Sheet available to provide to clients, showing the policy changes.
What are the new requirements?
All new and upgraded systems applied for from the 14th of February 2022, or installed from the 14th March 2022, will need to meet Emergency Solar Management requirements.
This means they must be able to be managed remotely, enabling them to be turned off or down in response to a signal from Synergy, when the Australian Energy Market Operator requires a response to help prevent power emergencies.
Synergy will provide information and support for installers on how to ensure installations meet these new requirements. More information is provided here. The full requirements are specified in the Western Power Basic Embedded Generator Connection Technical Requirements.
Western Power will be updating its website portal from 14th-15th Feb, applicants under the new requirements can be submitted from the 16th February.
A short grace period has been provided for applications made prior to the 14th February 2022 – installations for these systems must be completed by the 14th March 2022.
All installations from the 14th March 2022 must meet the new requirements.
What technology solutions are being used to meet requirements?
Under the changes, new and upgraded systems (with inverter capacity 5kW and below) must include the ability to remotely disconnect from and reconnect to the grid.
Western Power has specified several methods through which this ability can be demonstrated – installers will need to follow the relevant method based on the approved customer application and information from Synergy.
Synergy is engaging with technology providers to simplify the process for installers and will soon be announcing the results of this process.
The approved methods align with the methods applied in South Australia through its Smarter Homes regulatory changes. They include direct communication via API to the inverter over customer wi-fi or telecommunications network, or through a wiring solution that can be disconnected at the meter (i.e. a dual-element meter). In future, there may also be the option for installing a ‘gateway’ box that can send instructions to an inverter.
Technology that provides the flexibility to turn rooftop solar output down, rather than just switch it off, is preferred, as it paves the way for more options for customers and future participation in virtual power plants.
Synergy is engaging with technology providers to simplify the process for installers and will soon be announcing the results of this process.
How is Synergy supporting installers?
Synergy will be working closely with installers to make sure that they have all the information that they need to explain the changes to consumers.
In early 2022, Synergy will be providing installers with all the information they need on how to install in accordance with the new requirements.
Western Power has developed a Validation Procedure that Synergy will need to use to demonstrate compliance. Synergy will work with installers to ensure technical requirements are met and that newly installed systems can be validated.
What happens if the customer adds a battery?
The addition of a battery, even if the solar system is not being upgraded, will trigger the need to comply with the requirements of Emergency Solar Management.
The relevant system capacity and export limits, including with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), are outlined in the table below, which is from the Western Power Basic Embedded Generator Connection Technical Requirements.
1. DC coupled refers to multiple energy sources (including Energy Storage systems) into the DC side of a single inverter.
2. AC coupled refers to systems with multiple inverters for various energy sources (commonly PV) and energy storage systems. AC coupled systems may also have generation limit control requirements.
3. For systems where export limit is equal to or greater than the system capacity no control based on external measurement is required.
4. Where a User does not have an off-take agreement with their energy retailer their basic EG system shall have an export limit setting of no more than 1.5 kW in total
The size of the exporting solar inverter determines the need for customers to comply with Emergency Solar Management – if the PV inverter is greater than 5kVA, then the system will be subject to a 1.5kW export limit.
Adding a 5kVA battery to a 5kW solar system will not trigger the introduction of export limits, however these customers will be subject to Emergency Solar Management.
What are the export limits?
Solar inverters with a capacity of 5kVA and less will be subject to a 5kW export limit – this is also the maximum export allowed under the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme.
Systems larger than 5kVA will be subject to an export limit of 1.5kW, unless there is an off-take agreement with the customer’s retailer. This is considered the lowest practical limit, to ensure these systems are right-sized for customer self-consumption and limit their contribution to low load events.
These changes will enable households to install larger systems for self-consumption with an improved, streamlined connection process.
In the longer-term, when aggregation of customer devices (being piloted through Project Symphony) is rolled out, households with larger systems will be able to benefit from participation in virtual power plants.
The export limits can be found in Western Power’s Basic Embedded Generator Connection Technical Requirements and are summarised in the below table.
1. DC coupled refers to multiple energy sources (including Energy Storage systems) into the DC side of a single inverter.
2. AC coupled refers to systems with multiple inverters for various energy sources (commonly PV) and energy storage systems. AC coupled systems may also have generation limit control requirements.
3. For systems where export limit is equal to or greater than the system capacity no control based on external measurement is required.
4. Where a User does not have an off-take agreement with their energy retailer their basic EG system shall have an export limit setting of no more than 1.5 kW in total
