Evoenergy ACT Solar Network Connection and Dynamic Exports Guide

Key Takeaways

• Evoenergy categorises small embedded generation as a system capacity less than or equal to 30 kVA (excluding ESS), and a total system capacity less than or equal to 60 kVA.
• Static export limit Single phase 5 kW Two phase 5 kW or 5 kW per phase Three phase * 10 kW or 5 kW per phase represent standard thresholds across the distribution network.
• Installation of export limiting equipment typically involves an export meter to monitor power flow at the utility connection point.
• Inverter Energy System installations require installers to implement export controls to prevent >5kW export on any individual phase at all times.
• All completed installations must submit a completed Certificate of Electrical Safety shall be included in the IES manual.

Evoenergy Network Context in the ACT

Evoenergy owns and operates the electricity distribution network across the Australian Capital Territory. Any customer connecting rooftop solar panels, battery energy storage systems, or commercial generation to the grid must comply with Evoenergy technical requirements. The local distribution network supplies residential and commercial consumers typically 230 V on single-phase low-voltage services.

Grid connections are governed by technical standard PO0845 for small embedded generation. Under this standard, Evoenergy defines eligible systems as having a system capacity less than or equal to 30 kVA (excluding ESS), and a total system capacity less than or equal to 60 kVA including energy storage.

Embedded Generation Capacity Thresholds

System sizing dictates whether an application qualifies for standard streamlined processing or requires bespoke network technical analysis:

• Single-phase installations: Maximum allowable capacity for all inverters is 30kVA. More information can be found in section 4 of the technical requirements.
• Multi-phase capacity thresholds follow the schedule: Single Phase 10kVA 20kVA 20kVA Two Phase 20kVA 40kVA 40kVA Three Phase 30kVA 60kVA 60kVA.

Installers must comply with strict engineering guidelines governing the maximum allowed voltage rise between the point of supply from the grid and the inverter grid-interactive port to avoid nuisance inverter tripping. Furthermore, system designs must satisfy distribution standards regarding emission limits for harmonics interharmonics voltage fluctuations and unbalance for the connection of embedded generating plant.

Static and Dynamic Export Limits

Evoenergy applies defined export limits to protect local distribution feeders from reverse power flows and excessive voltage rise:

• The default network standard specifies: Static export limit Single phase 5 kW Two phase 5 kW or 5 kW per phase Three phase * 10 kW or 5 kW per phase.
• Systems exceeding basic single-phase limits must implement export controls to prevent >5kW export on any individual phase at all times.
• From a metering perspective, physical export control typically involves an export meter to monitor power flow at the utility connection point.

AS/NZS 4777.1 defines two types of generation limitation function, namely (i) Hard limit. These control functions behave as follows:

• Hard limit: A limit that will require the IES to disconnect and (ii) Soft limit: A limit that will cause the IES to reduce its output preventing unmanaged power export into the grid.

In older literature, protection switchgear was previously referred to as central protection. Any references to central protection in other Evoenergy documentation is referring to secondary grid protection.

Battery and Energy Storage Response Modes

To maintain stable power quality across ACT suburbs, smart battery inverters must actively regulate voltage at the connection point:

• For battery storage systems, for an ESS inverter the volt-watt and volt-var modes shall be enabled for charging and discharging through the grid-interactive port.

These autonomous modes curtail inverter active power or supply reactive power support when grid voltage approaches statutory operating boundaries.

Connection Application Process

Connection applications must be submitted and approved before equipment is connected to the Evoenergy network:

• As stated by Evoenergy, these applications are often made by your system retailer or installer through our Evoenergy DER portal however you'll still need to give your consent.
• Following commissioning, a completed Certificate of Electrical Safety shall be included in the IES manual. The proponent shall submit all final compliance certificates to Access Canberra and Evoenergy.

What You Can Check Yourself, and What You Cannot

System owners can check their inverter display or monitoring application to confirm that power generation and export levels do not exceed the approved 5 kW per phase limit. Homeowners can also confirm their National Meter Identifier (NMI) and check that inverter status indicators show normal grid-tied operation.

However, system owners must never attempt to adjust internal protection setpoints, disable Volt-Watt response curves, or modify anti-islanding parameters. All grid interface programming must be performed by accredited electrical contractors using certified testing tools to ensure distribution safety.

What the Published Sources Do Not Tell You

The published small embedded generation rules do not publish real-time substation capacity maps for individual street transformers. Consequently, whether an application receives immediate automatic approval or requires local network reinforcement can only be determined upon formal portal application submission. In addition, systems exceeding 30 kVA must be assessed under high-voltage standard PO0844 with separate bespoke connection studies.