There are a number of requirements you must be aware of before installing a solar system. We’ve compiled the information below to assist you before you begin your installation.
Your accreditation
To install a solar power or battery storage system at a customer’s premises in Ausgrid’s network, Ausgrid requires designer and installers to have the appropriate accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). You should also obtain any additional training/accreditation from the manufacturer of the equipment to be installed.
If you do not have SAA accreditation but you believe you meet the formal training requirements to complete the work proposed, you can email eg@ausgrid.com.au to discuss your situation.
In NSW electrical work can only be performed by persons with a current Electrical License.
Inverter installation
The inverter you are installing as part of a solar or battery storage system will need to meet the following criteria:
- be compliant with AS/NZS 4777.2
- be installed as per the requirements of AS/NZS4777.1
- be configured in accordance with Ausgrid’s requirements for inverters which are set out in NS194 Secondary System Requirements for Embedded Generators, including configuring inverter settings to the AS4777.2-2020 regional setting “Australia A”
- either:
- be of a type approved by the Clean Energy Council or;
- have written approval from Ausgrid to use the make and model of the inverter (please email eg@ausgrid.com.au to discuss your CEC unlisted inverter proposal).
Before you purchase any inverter, please confirm that it meets Ausgrid’s requirements as stated in NS194. If an inverter is installed that does not meet our requirements, you may be required (at your cost) to replace it with an inverter that is compliant.
AEMO’s Distributed Energy Resource Register
Solar and battery installers will need to enter installation and DER equipment information directly into AEMO’s Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Register within 20 days of DER installation/activation. You can find out more about your obligations as an installer on our Distributed Energy Resources Register.
Multi-tenanted installations or embedded networks
Common examples of multi-tenanted installations are duplex’s, units, villas, some retirement villages, apartment blocks, and small industrial units or any installation that has multiple retail metered installations connected to the distribution network via a single point of connection.
It is important prior to completing a connection application form that you have identified if your premises (NMI) is a part of a multi-tenanted installation
Both multi-tenanted installations consist of multiple tenancies that share a common connection point to Ausgrid’s network. Alterations to the electrical installation of individual tenancies (for example, the addition of solar) can impact the upstream shared/common elements of the installation. Ausgrid needs to complete network planning assessments to ensure that the Ausgrid network will not be adversely impacted by the connection multiple generation sources connected to a single point on the network. As you will also be utilising a common private network, the maintainer/body corporate of the private shared assets should also be consulted to ensure the private shared asset.
Embedded networks
An embedded network is configured to allow the owner of the site to on sell the electricity to the tenant/residents within property. Caravan Parks, some retirement villages, shopping centres and some larger apartment blocks are examples of embedded networks.
With these sites, there is typically only one NMI (parent NMI) which is registered to property owner/management whilst each individual tenant/resident may have their own child NMI. Ausgrid only has visibility of the parent NMI. Hence any connection application for any embedded generation within an embedded network must be submitted with the permission of and on behalf of the embedded network owner/management, and not the resident/tenant of an individual unit (whose roof the solar may be installed on). The connection application must include all existing generation connected under the parent NMI as well as any proposed new embedded generation.
Understanding solar exports
To support the increasing uptake of solar, regulating bodies and inverter manufacturers have implemented mandatory technical standards to ensure the safety and longevity of solar systems.
AS4777.2-2020 – ‘Inverter Requirements’ (mandated by the National Electricity Rules) specifies the electrical safety and performance of inverters which includes features that automatically reduce inverter export in certain conditions to maintain the safety and stability of the grid.
These standard features may impact solar exports in areas where the network has a high uptake of solar causing an oversupply of electricity from the solar panels which impacts the voltage on the local grid. When this occurs, inverters are designed to alter the power they are exporting to the grid so that grid voltage levels can remain within safe limits.
Maximum export capacity
For solar and other embedded generation connections, Ausgrid will approve a maximum export capacity for the connection. This will remain as the ongoing maximum approved export capacity; however, the actual export from your inverter at any given time will vary due to real time local conditions (such as weather and demand for electricity) and self consumption of the solar power by the premises. See 'Support for an existing solar system.
Safety inspections
It is your responsibility to certify that the work on the embedded generation installation has been done safely and in accordance with the relevant standards. This is done by completing a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW). A completed CCEW should be submitted to Ausgrid at datanorth@ausgrid.com.au within 7 days. The CCEW must also be submitted to Fair Trading and a copy provided to the customer within seven days of completing any safety and compliance test.
Installation audit and defect notices
Please note: Due to the large number of solar and battery systems being installed, it can take several months for our installation inspectors to visit the premises after the installation has been connected.
Ausgrid may conduct audit inspections of solar and battery installations connected to our network.
If any system is found to be unsafe, we will disconnect it immediately. The installation inspector will leave a notification of disconnection and details of the safety defect at the premises. For more information, see Electrical Installation Defects.
Common installations issues to watch out for:
- Private Installation Voltage Rise Compliance - Private installation voltage rise compliance is an important aspect for the ongoing operation of inverters. The installer should calculate the theoretical voltage rise in accordance with instructions in the NSW service and installation rules and AS/NZS4777.1 which now allows for either the rated current of the inverter, or the limit of generation, or the export limit, or any combination of these to be used. If voltage rise compliance is not met, your installation cabling may need to be upgraded.
- Main Switchboard (MSB) alteration compliance - Your main switchboard may need to be altered to allow the connection of solar/battery. Additionally for larger connections above 100 amps, please note that new or altered switchboards must comply with AS/NZS 61439. Download the Main Switchboard Compliance Statement.
- Location of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) - Please refer to AS/NZS 5139:2019 for appropriate consideration and preparation for BESS locations.
- Interface protection for solar/battery over 200kW - Once an installation exceeds 200kW, some additional connection requirements apply. Most significantly, interface protection (previously known as central protection) is required by AS/NZS 4777.1. (Please note that AS/NZS4777.1 requires Interface protection to be installed on >30kVA Inverter capacity systems using Inverter Power Sharing Devices.