Emergency Solar Management WA
What is Emergency Solar Management WA and how does it affect you?
Roughly 1 in 3 WA homes have now installed solar. As a result the WA State Government has introduced the ability to manage rooftop solar exports in emergency situations.
These situations arise when high levels of renewables are exporting power to the grid and there is not enough demand to meet the supply. This can cause instabilities in the power network and can lead to blackouts.
During an emergency solar management event where too much power is being generated, production from managed rooftop solar systems are turned down or turned off completely for a period of time. During these times households are able to use grid power as normal.
What you need to know
- This level of management is only applicable to solar systems with a 5kW inverter and smaller.
- For inverters larger than 5kW an export limit applies. The export limit is set at 1.5kW.
- A smart meter must be installed to set the export limit.
- Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is not to discharge electricity to the grid between the hours 10:00 to 15:00 inclusive and is not to charge from the grid between the hours 18:00 to 21:00 inclusive.
- This capability applies to new and upgraded systems installed from 14 February 2022. If you already have rooftop solar this update does not affect you.
- This procedure only occurs in emergencies to stabilise the grid.
- It does not occur frequently, and was implemented as a last resort.
- Customers will continue to have uninterrupted supply from the grid.
- There is no option for new solar customers to opt out.
- Adding a battery to your existing solar system is classed as an upgrade and will result in inclusion in the scheme.
These changes have allowed further growth to rooftop solar in WA and have allowed for the approval of larger solar systems thanks to export limiting.
If you have any questions, Request Your Quote.
For a detailed overview visit Synergy Solar Management WA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Emergency Solar Management WA apply to my existing solar system?
If you already have rooftop solar installed before 14 February 2022, this update does not affect you. Emergency Solar Management WA only applies to new systems installed from 14 February 2022 onwards and to systems that have been upgraded.
What happens to my home during an emergency solar management event?
During an emergency event when too much power is being generated, production from your rooftop solar may be turned down or off for a period of time. However, your household will continue to have uninterrupted supply from the grid as normal, so you will not lose power.
Will my solar system be managed frequently?
Emergency solar management events occur only in emergencies to stabilise the grid and do not happen frequently. This procedure was implemented as a last resort when there is not enough demand to meet the supply of power being generated.
If I add a battery to my existing solar system, will I be included in Emergency Solar Management WA?
Yes, adding a battery to your existing solar system is classed as an upgrade and will result in inclusion in the scheme. Your battery will not discharge to the grid between 10:00 to 15:00 inclusive and will not charge from the grid between 18:00 to 21:00 inclusive.
