SolarEdge Technologies Australian Pty Ltd

Responses to South Australian Government Rule Changes for Smarter Homes- September 2020
V1: 24/09/2020

Overview

The South Australian Government has announced new technical standards and requirements to be introduced in South Australia. More information on the standards can be viewed on the Regulatory Changes for Smart Homes webpage.

The five changes and their potential impact on SolarEdge inverter installations are outlined below

A proposed new technical standard for generating systems connected via low voltage power inverters to the South Australian distribution network will require that they meet ride-through standards as demonstrated by testing in accordance with testing standards in AS/NZS4777.2 and any applicable AEMO testing standard. This will contribute to ensuring new and replacement inverter connected distributed energy resources can ride through power system disturbances.

SolarEdge Response

SolarEdge inverters will support this requirement. The following table indicated the compliance status of our inverter suite.

Those inverters submitted to the OTR can continue to be sold. For a more updated list, visit the approved inverter list.

A proposed new technical standard will require prescribed generating systems connecting to the South Australian distribution network to be capable of being remotely disconnected and reconnected by an agent registered with the Technical Regulator. This will contribute to increasing the ability of the distribution network to host distributed energy resources and secure operation of the power system

SolarEdge Response

SolarEdge inverters can provide remote disconnection and reconnection and are therefore compliant with this requirement. SAPN is registering as a Relevant Agent and SolarEdge will operate as a Technology Provider with SAPN. Customers installing a SolarEdge inverter in South Australia should use SAPN as their agent.

SolarEdge is in discussion with other entities looking to register as Relevant Agents. SolarEdge will provide additional notifications as these discussions progress.

A proposed new technical standard will require that prescribed generating systems connecting to the South Australian distribution network are capable of being export limited and for export limits to be updated remotely. This will contribute to increasing the ability of the distribution network to host distributed energy resources by avoiding scenarios where the energy exported may exceed the capacity of the local network, or where there is insufficient demand for that energy in other parts of South Australia

SolarEdge Response

SolarEdge inverters have this as a native ability and so are compliant with the requirements.

A proposed new technical standard for smart meters will require that they must be capable of separately measuring and controlling an electricity generating plant and controllable load from essential load and must be installed in accordance with any guidelines issued by the Technical Regulator.

SolarEdge Response

The deployment and installation of the market meter is separate to the SolarEdge installation. SolarEdge will provide additional detail to the appropriate wiring arrangements to suit the various types of installation.

A proposed new requirement will apply to electricity retailers operating in South Australia to have a standing offer which includes a tariff structure that incentivises electricity use in low demand periods

SolarEdge Response

The SolarEdge intelligent inverter solution can work with Smart Energy devices to maximize the benefit of the Tariff structures. Through our Grid Services & Virtual Power Plant services, SolarEdge already partners with five energy Retailers in South Australia helping to improve the return of sites with SolarEdge PV and storage.