New inspection checks for inverter settings on rooftop solar

The Clean Energy Regulator is working with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and the Clean Energy Council (CEC) to incorporate checks of inverter settings into its inspection program of rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.

Collecting this information will help inform Australian standards development and testing arrangements, and in future may be used by AEMO, the CEC, Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs), or state and territory regulators to monitor compliance.

The new inspection program checks will be examining:

• compliance of inverter configurations with AS4777.2-2015, and
• compliance of inverter configurations with DNSP requirements.

Australia now has over 2.5 million grid-connected small-scale solar PV systems, with approximately 310,000 (representing 2.4 GW) installed in 2019. Together these individual systems amount to one of the biggest generators in the electricity grid.

Small-scale solar PV systems that comply with Australian standards and DNSP requirements improve the reliability of the grid and allow more systems to be connected in the future. This will ensure the rooftop solar industry can continue to thrive.

Systems that are not configured correctly can impact network voltage, the quality of power supply and exacerbate system faults.

Review the current applicable Australian standard, AS/NS 4777.2:2015. Check with your DNSP for the necessary connection requirements in your area or see the complete list on Energy Networks Australias website.

For more information about our inspections program, please contact us.

Yours sincerely

REC Registry