ESM and the Solar Application process FAQs

How does emergency solar management work?

In an emergency solar management event, rooftop solar systems that are installed or upgraded after 14 February 2022 with an inverter capacity of 5kW or less participate in the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) must have the capability to be remotely managed.

From 14 February 2022, customers with existing rooftop solar systems with an inverter capacity greater than 5kW have been subject to new export limits.  Export limits are set in accordance with Western Power’s Basic Embedded Generator Connection Technical Requirements.

Customers should discuss these requirements with their chosen solar installer prior to the purchase of a new rooftop solar system or proposed changes to their existing system to understand export limits.

Please note: A rooftop solar system with a 5kW inverter and 6.6kW of panel capacity will be subject to ESM requirements as panel capacity is not relevant for ESM purposes.

Why is ESM only applicable to new or upgraded rooftop solar systems?

ESM requirements only apply to new and upgraded systems due to the current challenges with retrofitting existing rooftop solar installations to enable remote management.

How does remote management for ESM work?

There are two ways to remotely manage and turn off rooftop solar systems to meet the Western Power Basic Embedded Generation Connection Technical Requirements to comply with ESM requirements:

1. The API cloud solution uses a software integration - an API (Application Programming Interface) to remotely manage rooftop solar systems. This requires installing a compatible inverter and maintaining a consistent internet service that the inverter is connected to.
2. The metering solution requires a meter with communications capability enabled and the inverter isolated so that it can be remotely managed. This solution should only be selected where the API cloud solution is not suitable or available.

The API cloud solution is currently expected to provide the best outcome for most customers – it is lower cost and aligned to future opportunities for Distributed Energy Resources (DER) participation.

What if I can’t meet the requirements for the API cloud solution or the metering solution?

Export limits are an option available to eligible customers who can’t meet the API cloud or metering solution requirements but still wish to install a rooftop solar system. Please note that customers whose rooftop solar systems are subject to export limits are not eligible to participate in the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) and their rooftop solar system will not be subject to remote management in an ESM low load event. Customers subject to export limitations will not receive credits for excess electricity generated by their rooftop solar system that is exported to the network. 

An application to install or connect a rooftop solar system that is subject to export limits 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.

What about new and upgraded solar systems that are larger than 5kW?

Rooftop solar systems that are installed or upgraded after 14 February 2022, with an inverter capacity greater than 5kW, will be subject to export limits to ensure they do not contribute to low load events.

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

What is an export limit and how does this work?

An export limit refers to the maximum amount of solar energy generated by a rooftop solar system that is not consumed at the property, that a rooftop solar system is permitted to export to or feed back into to the network. Export limits are set by Western Power.

The purpose of export limits is to help ensure that the grid remains stable and safe.

Export limiting requires the customers to engage a solar installer to attach a sensor to the inverter that determines the amount of current being sent to the grid (an export limiter).

The inverter converts solar energy into electricity and distributes this.  The solar generation offsets electricity consumption at the property first and then anything in excess is exported to the grid for redistribution.

The sensor determines how much solar is being exported to the grid and adjusts to inverter output to only allow the maximum export (the export limit). 

How do AC coupled batteries with 5kW of solar affect export limiting and DEBS?

To be eligible, a renewable energy system must have a generating capacity of 5kW or less. A rooftop solar system with a total solar panel capacity of up to 6.6kW and an inverter capacity of up to 5kW is deemed eligible. There is no eligibility limit in relation to home battery or electric vehicle battery size, but all renewable energy systems and batteries must meet Western Power’s Basic Embedded Generator Connection Technical Requirements for connection to the grid and to be eligible for DEBS (subject to the applicable terms and conditions for DEBS).

How does this impact battery installations?

Battery installations are required to meet the requirements for emergency solar management as per Western Power’s Basic Embedded Generation Connection Technical Requirements.

ESM for battery installations can be achieved by meeting the time of operation for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) requirements, where BESS systems are not able to discharge from the BESS between 10am to 3pm and not charge the BESS between 6pm to 9pm. Therefore these battery installations do not need a cloud API or a metering pathway to comply with ESM requirements.

In an ESM event, will households with BESS, remain connected, and will generated rooftop solar continue to charge the battery?

Some rooftop solar systems may have the capability to charge the BESS during an ESM low load event or test. However, provision of this functionality via a cloud API solution varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. Please consult your manufacturer or solar installer to find out more.

If a meter upgrade is required to comply with ESM requirements, is the customer responsible for the costs incurred?

The customer is responsible for any additional costs incurred as a result of a meter upgrade.

The API cloud solution is currently expected to provide the best outcome for most customers – it is generally lower cost and aligned to future opportunities for DER participation.

The metering solution will require additional cabling to be installed and the meter connected to the inverter.

Will my rooftop solar system and/or BESS still power my home when they are remotely managed under ESM?

In most cases, during an ESM low load event or test, a rooftop solar system will be turned off and it will not be able to generate electricity to power your home. Any consumption of electricity during an ESM low load event or test will be drawn from the grid.

Batteries are restricted in their time of operation and cannot be discharged between 10am and 3pm so any event occurring in this period would not allow consumption from the battery.

The configuration of your rooftop solar system with your battery would depend on if you can use your rooftop solar system and/or battery during an ESM low load event. Please consult your manufacturer or solar installer to find out more.

How will ESM impact life support customers?

Life support customers will still be required to follow the standard application and installation process for new and upgraded rooftop solar systems but will not be impacted by ESM. Life support customers will continue to be responsible for ensuring their details and information is up to date.

How do I know my personal information is safe?

Synergy has strict systems in place that aim to make sure your personal information is protected, and are only used for permitted purposes. In every instance we seek to collect, store, use and disclose your information professionally and respectfully.

The API cloud solution requires the customer to connect their inverter to their home internet connection via Wi-Fi to enable remote management. This connection does not provide Synergy access to the customer’s network or Wi-Fi password.   

Synergy has designed and implemented its privacy policy, systems and procedures with the intention to follow the requirements of the Australian Privacy Principles. Please visit Synergy’s privacy page to learn more.