ACT Evoenergy Solar Connection and Feed-in Guide

Key Takeaways

• Evoenergy is the electricity network operator in the ACT, managing connections for over 60,000 embedded generation systems, mostly solar.
• Your solar installer will manage the connection application process through the Evoenergy Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Portal.
• Evoenergy sets specific kVA limits and export limits for single-phase and three-phase solar systems, which your installer must adhere to.
• Inverters must be configured to respond to network voltage changes, including reducing output or disconnecting to maintain grid stability.
• Non-compliant solar systems may be disconnected from the network, and a Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) is required for new electrical work.

Connecting Your Solar System to the ACT Network

In the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Evoenergy owns and operates the electricity distribution network. If you are installing a new solar photovoltaic (PV) system, or making changes to an existing one, you must comply with Evoenergy's connection requirements. Evoenergy provides electrical power to over 220,000 residential and business customers across its network. The network currently connects to more than 60,000 embedded generation systems, with the majority being solar PV systems.

The process for connecting a small embedded generation system, such as residential solar, is typically managed by your solar system retailer or installer. They will submit an application through the Evoenergy Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Portal, which requires your consent as the customer. This portal is designed for installers to submit and track Special Connection Requests (SCRs) for solar and batteries.

The SCR application collects mandatory information necessary for approval and for supply to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). This includes details about your system's specifications, settings, and operational modes. During the commissioning stage, your installer must update the portal with installation details, including voltage readings and inverter photos. The DER Portal also allows installers to track applications, communicate with Evoenergy's embedded generation team, and update their business details.

Evoenergy shares information about every Distributed Energy Resource (DER) connected to its network with AEMO’s DER Register. This register includes a list of DER locations and specifications within the National Energy Market, covering systems up to 30 MW. This data helps Evoenergy operate the grid more efficiently, prepare for disruptions, and make informed investment decisions.

Evoenergy's Connection Categories and Limits

Evoenergy categorises embedded generation systems based on their size and connection type. These categories determine the specific technical requirements and limits that apply to your solar installation.

The main categories for residential and small commercial solar systems are:

Small Embedded Generation Systems

For systems falling into the "Small" category (up to 30 kVA), approval is typically granted in line with Evoenergy's model standing offer, and an approval letter is issued via the DER Portal.

Larger Embedded Generation Systems

For larger systems, different categories apply:

• Low Voltage (LV): Not a small embedded generation system and less than 1.5 MVA.
• High Voltage (HV): High Voltage connection and less than 5 MVA.
• Registered Generator: 5 MVA or greater and registered within the National Energy Market by AEMO.

For these larger systems, a Non-Standard Connection Agreement is issued once the application is approved.

Maintaining Power Quality and Grid Stability

Evoenergy requires all embedded generation systems, including solar inverters, to contribute to maintaining power quality and grid stability. This is crucial because fluctuations in voltage can impact the reliability of the electricity supply for all customers.

Your inverter must be configured with specific power quality response modes:

• Volt-watt response mode: This setting requires the inverter to linearly reduce its output from 100% to 20% as the grid voltage increases from 253V to 260V. This helps to prevent over-voltage conditions on the network.
• Volt-var response mode: This mode must be enabled, allowing the inverter to adjust its reactive power output to help regulate voltage.

In addition to these response modes, inverters are required to disconnect from the network under specific over-voltage conditions to protect both the grid and the equipment:

• If the voltage exceeds 265V, the inverter must disconnect within 1 second.
• If the voltage exceeds 275V, the inverter must disconnect instantaneously.

These settings are part of the Australian inverter connection standards standard, and your accredited installer will configure them on your inverter. The exact trip thresholds are set in Australian inverter connection standards, and your installer or distributor can confirm what is configured on your specific inverter.

If your inverter is tripping or reducing its output, it is often responding to changes in voltage. These changes can be due to the amount of solar generation in your area, general network conditions, weather, or your household's energy usage. This is normal protective behaviour to ensure grid stability.

What You Can Check Yourself, and What You Cannot

As a homeowner, you can observe your inverter's behaviour and check its display for any messages or indicators. If your inverter is frequently tripping or showing error messages, you can:

1. Note the time and conditions: When does it happen? Is it a sunny day? Are many appliances running?
2. Check your electricity bill: Look for your distributor's name (Evoenergy in the ACT) and contact details.
3. Contact your installer: They are best placed to diagnose issues related to inverter settings, compliance, or faults.

You should never attempt to change your inverter's grid-protection settings yourself. These settings are configured by an accredited installer to comply with Evoenergy's technical requirements and Australian Standards. Altering them can breach your connection agreement and potentially compromise the safety and stability of the electricity network. Opening the inverter enclosure or attempting repairs yourself is also dangerous and should only be done by authorised service personnel. Always isolate PV, battery, and AC breakers, and wait the manual's capacitor-discharge time before any work on electrical equipment.

Compliance and Safety Requirements

Evoenergy has an obligation to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the distribution system for operating personnel, customers, and the general public. As a solar system owner, you also have obligations to ensure your system remains compliant.

Your system is considered non-compliant if:

• It operates without Evoenergy approval.
• It has been altered or augmented without prior approval.
• The system differs from the details provided in the approval.
• Periodic anti-islanding testing has not been completed.
• It is not configured to Evoenergy's technical requirements.

For safety reasons and network protection, systems found non-compliant with Evoenergy requirements or Australian Standards may be disconnected from the network.

A Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES) is required for any new electrical work, alterations, or repairs to existing electrical systems. This certificate verifies that work performed by a licensed electrician meets safety standards. A CES can only be issued by a licensed electrician or an Access Canberra electrical inspector. If an incident affects your power supply, Evoenergy requires a CES before restoring power to ensure your electrical system is safe.

For properties disconnected for more than 6 months, a safety inspection by a licensed electrician and compliance verification by an Access Canberra electrical inspector are required before Evoenergy can reconnect supply. Evoenergy crews will then verify compliance after the Access Canberra electrical inspector's check. Evoenergy will not proceed with re-energisation or reconnection until all necessary requirements have been met. For same-day re-energisations, residential requests must be received by 2pm and commercial requests by 1pm.

What the published sources do not tell you

While Evoenergy provides comprehensive information on connection requirements, some specific details are not explicitly available in the provided sources:

• Dual-channel smart metering: Specific requirements for dual-channel smart metering and how they directly relate to solar feed-in tariff billing are not detailed. While bi-directional metering is implied for feed-in, the exact process for installation or specific billing mechanisms are not elaborated.
• Current solar feed-in tariff rates: The current solar feed-in tariff rates or specific billing mechanisms for the ACT are not provided in the Evoenergy documents.
• Application fees schedule: A detailed "Schedule of charges" for application fees is mentioned but not provided or linked.
• Model standing offer: The "Model standing offer" for basic connection services for micro-embedded generators is referenced but not provided.
• Non-Standard Connection Agreement details: Specific details on how to apply for a "Non-Standard Connection Agreement" for larger systems are not provided.
• Full technical documents: Several technical documents, such as the full "Evoenergy Service and Installation Rules" and "National DER Connection Guidelines," are referenced but not provided in their entirety.