Distributed Energy Resource Compliance for Solar Retailers and Installers

South Australia is leading the world in deployment of distributed energy resources (DER) such as rooftop solar and home batteries. SA Power Networks has a goal to double the amount of solar we can accommodate on our State's distribution network by 2025.

In order to continue connecting DER to the network, DER is required to be 'smart' and able to interact with the energy system. This is driving changes to standards and the connections process, requiring new capabilities from the solar industry and increasing the importance of compliance of installed systems to these standards.

Primary examples of important areas for compliance include:

• Installation, commissioning and close-out of the job as part of the connections processes (SmartApply and SmartInstall)
• The remote disconnection / re-connection and dynamic export limit requirements as determined by the SA Government's 'Smarter Homes' regulations
• Enrolling equipment in SA Power Networks' Flexible Exports connection offer
• Power quality settings on inverters (Volt/VAr and Volt/Watt)

SA Power Networks is proactively working with solar retailers and installers to ensure all systems sold and installed are compliant. The process to manage compliance includes six stages and follow a traffic light system of escalation if continues to be non-compliant. Please take your time to familiarise yourself with the Compliance Brochure.

What we heard

SA Power Networks has undertaken a 12-month program working with industry bodies, manufacturers, solar retailers, and installers about the steps required to comply with a number of requirements for DER compliance. We heard that:

• The auto approve function of SmartApply is making the application process quicker and a dashboard helps keep track of applications.
• Not everyone is aware of SmartInstall.
• Commissioning processes for some systems are unclear.

We sought further feedback from solar retailers and installers between December 2021 and February 2022, around the DER compliance program and views on opportunities for improvement.

What actions we're taking

• Making improvements to the SmartApply and SmartInstall and the support SA Power Networks can provide based on your feedback.
• Has established dedicated New Energy Services Team to talk to, train and provide tailored, ongoing support to solar retailers and installers.
• Continue to build awareness of obligations.
• Developing training modules with Clean Energy Council.
• Continue working with inverter manufacturers, government, and regulatory bodies to increase the awareness of the issues and clarify roles and responsibilities.

You can view the summary of feedback received here and a full report here.