source: Clean Energy Regulator
Defining small-scale systems and large-scale systems - new Renewable Energy Target eligibility information
The Clean Energy Regulator has developed new frameworks to help current and potential solar PV participants to determine their eligibility to participate in the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme or the Large-Scale Renewable Energy Target.
The eligibility frameworks provide comprehensive information and useful scenarios that make it easier for current and potential participants to assess their eligibility.
Each scheme has its own eligibility and compliance requirements — it is important that potential participants understand these requirements to make an informed decision of which scheme best suits their system specifications, individual circumstances and professional competencies. A system can only receive benefits under one scheme.
Find out more about:
- Eligibility for the Renewable Energy Target
- Defining small scale and large scale solar systems
- Renewable Energy Target eligibility scenario examples
- Eligibility to participate in the Small-Scale Renewable Energy Scheme
Scenario examples
This information provides examples of how the Boundaries of a solar photovoltaic (PV) device framework may be applied. Please review the examples along with the framework.
Scenario 1: A residential household with a 50 kW PV system.
- NMI defines the boundary of the device.
- The system would be considered a device with a kilowatt rating between 10 kW and 100 kW and therefore could be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme or large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
Scenario 2: Five stores in a retail complex, each with a 50 kW PV system and an individual NEM standard commercial sub meter and a retail electricity exemption. All connected to the grid via one NMI.
- Commercial sub meters define the boundaries of the devices.
- Each system would be considered a separate device with a kilowatt rating between 10 and 100 kW and therefore could be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme or large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
Scenario 3: A single commercial facility spread over three adjacent properties, each with an 80 kW PV system. All connected to the grid via one NMI.
- NMI defines the boundary of the device.
- The system would be considered a device with a kilowatt rating of over 100 kW and therefore could be eligible for large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
- This system would not be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
Scenario 4: A single commercial facility spread over three adjacent properties, each with an 80 kW PV system and each connected to the grid via a separate NMI.
- NMIs define the boundaries of the devices.
- Each system would be considered a separate device between 10 and 100 kW with a kilowatt rating of 80 kW and therefore could be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme or large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
Scenario 5: A single commercial facility spread over three adjacent properties that are electrically connected. Each property has an 80 kW PV system and they are connected to the grid via a separate NMI.
- As the facility is electrically connected throughout, the three NMIs are considered the boundary of one device.
- The system would be considered a device with a kilowatt rating of over 100 kW and therefore could be eligible for large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
- This system would not be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
Scenario 6: A farm with an 80 kW PV system on a shed and a 50 kW PV system on the house, both connected to the grid via one NMI, and one 80 kW PV off-grid pumping system.
- NMI defines the boundary of the grid-connected device. The system would be considered a device with a kilowatt rating over 100 kW and therefore could be eligible for large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target. This system would not be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
- The off-grid systems would be considered a separate device with a kilowatt rating between 10 and 100 kW and therefore could be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme or large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
Scenario 7: An apartment complex connected to the grid via a single NMI with a retail electricity exemption. The complex includes a communal precinct with NEM standard commercial meters and a 100 kW PV system and four apartments with non-commercial metering, two of which have a 3 kW PV system.
- Commercial sub metering defines the 100 kW system as a device. The system would be considered a device with a kilowatt rating of between 10 and 100 kW and therefore could be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme or large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
- The commercial sub metering defines the boundaries of the two 3 kW apartment systems, therefore both could be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme. These systems would not be eligible for large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
Scenario 8: A university connected to the grid via a single NMI with individual non-commercial sub meters used to maintain building management systems. The university precinct includes a main building with a 100 kW PV system and two sets of university housing each with a 5 kW PV system.
- NMI defines the boundary of the device.
- The system would be considered a device with a kilowatt rating of over 100 kW and therefore could be eligible for large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
- This system would not be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
Scenario 9: A housing estate where each house has its own NMI and an individual 5 kW PV system owned by the developer and leased to the householders.
- NMIs define the boundaries of the devices.
- Each system would be considered a separate device with a kilowatt rating of less than 10 kW and therefore could be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
- These systems would not be eligible for large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
Scenario 10: A solar farm divided into ten 100 kW systems with separate NMIs, and connected to the grid via one substation.
- The system is a single facility that generates electricity for the sole purpose of generating electricity. The system would be considered a device with a kilowatt rating of over 100 kW and therefore could be eligible for large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target.
- This applies regardless of ownership or operational control of the 100 kW systems and/or interconnecting infrastructure.
- This system would not be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
Scenario 11: A 1 MW solar farm with one NMI, and connected to the grid via one substation.
- The system is a single facility that generates electricity for the sole purpose of generating electricity. The system would be considered a device with a kilowatt rating of over 100 kW and therefore could be eligible for large-scale generation certificates under the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target. This system would not be eligible for small-scale technology certificates under the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme.
