No. 1 - 16 May 2011
PV INDUSTRY
ALERT
This Ergon Energy alert is the first in a Applications for systems with All solar PV systems require
series to keep the solar PV industry up inverters of less than 5kW should be network approval
to date with issues that may impact on submitted by Friday 10 June.
the connection of inverter energy Solar PV systems must not be
systems (IESs). Changes to the Solar Bonus connected until the customer has
Ergon Energy is experiencing a Scheme received network approval. Doing so
significant influx of applications for IES places the customer in breach of the
connections and has invested more The Queensland Government recently Electricity Regulation 2006 and could
resources to speed up approvals. announced important changes to the present risks to the network and to
We are keen to work closely with the Solar Bonus Scheme. individual premises.
industry to minimise negative impacts From 5.00pm, 7 June 2011, only Ergon Energy undertakes technical
on the customer, the network and network connection applications for solar assessment of systems with inverters of
PV installers. PV systems with inverters of 5kW and 5kW and greater and for systems with
less will be eligible for the Solar Bonus inverters of 2kW and greater if being
Submit IES connection Scheme. Applications for connection of connected to a SWER section of the
applications soon inverters greater than 5kW must be network. Applications for smaller
received by 5pm on this date in order to inverters are checked for completeness
As you are aware, the Solar Credits be eligible for the existing Scheme. and accuracy but do not undergo
Multiplier under the Federal technical assessment.
Government’s Small-scale Renewable Additionally, there will be a limit of one
Energy Scheme (SRES) will reduce from Solar Bonus Scheme application per If you have any questions, please
1 July 2011. premises. (The Scheme has yet to contact Ergon Energy’s Customer
confirm the definition of ‘premises’.) Service Team on 13 10 46, 7.00am-
We are assessing all applications as 6.30pm, Monday to Friday
quickly as possible, but cannot
guarantee approval to allow connection
Other important information .
before 1 July, particularly for larger Voltage ranges in inverters are Summary of key dates
systems requiring more complex generally factory-set to AS4777
assessments. standards. However, Ergon Energy Friday 27 May – Applications for
Ergon Energy aims to assess requires a narrower voltage range of systems with inverters of 5kW
applications for systems with inverters of 225V to 255V (240V +/-6%). Inverters and greater, or 2kW and greater
less than 5kW within two weeks of must be set to this range in order to on single wire earth return
receiving the application. comply with the terms of the Ergon sections of our network, should
Energy IES Network Agreement. be submitted by this date to allow
We aim to assess systems with inverters best chance of approval by 24
of 5kW and greater, or 2kW and greater If voltage fluctuations from a non-
compliant inverter cause unacceptable June.
if being connected to a single wire earth
return (SWER) section of the network, distortions on our network, Ergon Energy Tuesday 7 June – Applications
within four weeks. However, complex may need to disconnect the IES until the for systems with inverters greater
cases may take longer. issue is resolved by the customer. than 5kW must be submitted by
5.00pm on this date to allow the
We provide the following guidelines to Installers submitting applications on
customer to qualify for the Solar
allow the best possible chance of behalf of customers must ensure the
Bonus Scheme.
approval by Friday 24 June. This allows customer has signed the application
a minimum of six days to connect the form. Forms without the customer’s Friday 10 June – Applications for
system so the customer can qualify for signature will not be considered. systems with inverters of less
the Solar Credits multiplier of five. than 5kW should be submitted by
Ergon Energy and ENERGEX
this date to allow best chance of
Applications for systems with IES application forms are not
approval by 24 June.
inverters of 5kW and greater, or 2kW interchangeable. Please ensure you
and greater if it is being connected to a submit the correct form. Incorrect forms Friday 1 July – The Solar Credits
SWER section of the network, should be will not be considered and a new multiplier for the SRES will
submitted by Friday 27 May. application will be required. reduce.
Ergon Energy Corporation Limited ABN 50 087 646 062
Ergon Energy Queensland Pty Ltd ABN 11 121 177 802