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Service Alert

The WA State Government is introducing emergency solar management requirements for new and upgraded residential rooftop solar systems with an inverter capacity of 5kVA or less that are installed or upgraded on or after 14 February 2022.

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Enjoy the potential benefits of solar power at home

Renewable energy

Generate your own renewable electricity to use at home while the sun is shining – or invest in a battery to store excess electricity generated.

Great for Perth and WA

Living in one of the world’s sunniest locations has its benefits. With solar panels on your rooftop, you can harness the power of that WA sunshine to generate electricity for your home.

Potential savings

The amount you could save on your electricity costs will depend on a number of factors including how and when you use electricity, and the size and quality of your solar PV system.

How solar power works

Solar panels catch the sun’s rays and transform the sun’s energy into electricity through your inverter.

Solar panels on your rooftop catch the sun’s rays.

Electrons vibrate within the photovoltaic (PV) cells in the panels, which generates electricity.

Learn more about solar panels

The electricity is converted from Direct Current (DC) electricity to Alternating Current (AC) electricity in your inverter.

This AC electricity is then used to power your home's appliances.

Learn more about inverters

Your system will typically generate the most electricity during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest.

If you have a battery installed, you can store excess electricity generated to use when the sun goes down and your system stops generating.

Learn more about batteries

Commercial solar for WA businesses

If you’re in business and looking for ways you might be able to reduce your operating costs or lower your carbon emissions, a commercial solar PV system could help you to achieve your business energy goals.

Explore solar energy options and batteries for business

What is an export limit and how does it work?

An export limit refers to the maximum amount of solar energy generated by a rooftop solar PV system, in excess to personal consumption, that is permitted to be exported to, or feed back into, the electricity grid. The purpose of export limiting is to help ensure that the grid remains stable and safe.

For the solar PV system to be export limited, at installation a sensor is attached to the inverter that determines the amount of current being sent to the grid (an export limiter).

The inverter converts solar energy into electricity. This solar generated electricity offsets consumption at the property first at the time of generation and then anything in excess is exported to the grid. The export limiter controls the amount that can be exported to the grid.

The offset of solar generated electricity against your personal consumption will help to reduce your electricity costs as you are not drawing electricity directly from the grid.

Export limits are set in accordance with Western Power’s Basic Embedded Generator Connection Technical Requirements.

How to apply: 

An application to install or connect a solar PV system that cannot meet ESM requirements and is required to be subject to an export limit cannot be completed online. To apply, please complete the Distributed Energy Systems Application for renewable energy system with an inverter capacity of up to 30kW form.
How much energy will my rooftop solar panels generate?
The amount of energy your solar system generates depends on the sunny conditions, the type and number of solar panels and the invertor capacity of your system. 
Do I need to cover my rooftop in solar panels?
No, and it’s not simply a case of the more solar panels, the better. You solar supplier should be able to help make sure your solar package matches the amount of electricity you use at home, based on your Synergy account. This is more effective than exporting a lot of excess energy back to the grid.
Does having solar mean we won’t need to draw any power from the grid at all?
No – and it’s worth being wary of any solar supplier who promises this, or says that you will have no electricity bills. Your household will still draw power from the grid at various times, including at night, on cloudy or rainy days - and network fees will still apply.
Does solar energy mean zero carbon emissions?

 No. The processes of manufacturing, transporting and installing solar panels and solar technology involves creating carbon emissions – but solar is definitely a cleaner, greener form of energy, especially when compared with other ways electricity can be generated.
How do I know where to put solar panels?
When you get in touch with your solar supplier, they should arrange to visit your home to work out the best solar solution and positioning for your needs. Generally, north and west-sloping rooftops are the best orientations to catch the sun’s rays.
How is solar energy better for the environment?
Traditional electricity generation involves the burning of fossil fuels. This process sends greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Using solar energy means you can reduce the demand for other types of electricity generation, which can help you to reduce the overall impact your household has on the environment.
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