powercor solar export limit

The word first can be confusing. 100% 0000008043 00000 n In writing I was advised: Were seeing a real lift in the number of customers able to export excess solar back into the grid in these areas, which were among the most constrained in our network only a few months ago, said Powercor General Manager Electricity Networks, Mark Clarke. As a single example, the Renault Kangoo ZE van (I think that it is the only battery powered cargo van currently available in Australia) has a 33kWh battery, and, To go further, Kangoo Z.E boasts a Z.E 33 (33kWh) battery, 260 If at any moment in time you are generating more solar electricity than you need, the excess is exported to the grid. Finally, there are profiles for other countries that run 220-240V networks, and its remarkable how many of them use the older AS4777.3:2005 standard in their countries, because for many of these countries, this is the only profile the Envoy offers. As discussion of the topic of export limiting, is continuing, what,if any, is/are the direct effect differences to electricity grid load (as in the load on the wires, not the load as the term used for meaning demand), between a 5kW inverter, and a 10kW inverter with 5kW export limiting? So my understanding of the info above is that my inverter will increase production in unison with demand until it hits 5kw? Off the main grid, rural properties can have 3 kilowatts of inverter capacity. Means that it caps the amount you can reduce your bills for power used outside of daylight hours? The standard relating to solar inverters is about to change. I am on my second Tesla EV and the new one has a rage of 700km if youre not a lead foot. It is delivering 8 kilowatts of solar power. I live in Warrnambool, Victoria. You could approach SAPN and ask for special permission to install more solar capacity on an SWER but I would not be optimistic about that. With permission export limiting can be used to install larger systems. An Update: I just had system installed 4 days ago in the Energex DNSP and suggest the above is perhaps not quite correct. Does anyone have similar experience with powercor? Where do I find information on reapplying for export with Powercor? Thats a huge jump and even a smidge higher than the Powercor network wide average of 89%. Typically in the Powercor area, the export limit is 5kW of exports for each single-phase household solar PV system. But if you had a larger solar system with a larger inverter that was export limited to 5 kilowatts it could potentially supply 2 kilowatts to your home while exporting 5 kilowatts to the grid. That is correct. But if you suddenly switch off everything, there is more surplus solar power than youre allowed to export. What inverter do you have? Finally! 306 0 obj <> endobj Note that connections off the main grid are usually far more restricted. 11kW panels with 10kW 3-phase inverter (Fronius Symo + Fronius 3-phase meter). 207 And, depending on the circumstances of each individual household, 10-15 kW of total panels generating capacity, with limiting export to the grid, to 5kW, could provide better for the months with less available solar radiation, to lessen the demand for grid electricity, peaking on a seasonal basis. 20% To give you example, you will probably find the profile you mention is probably throttling from a very low 250v and will ramp down to 20% at 265v. Then the information that was left was cut to make the piece more introductory, but perhaps all these reductions made the article like my favorite World War II movie Abridged Too Far. Installers must also follow the recommendations of the inverter manufacturer and they may say the limit for panel capacity is less than one-third more than the panels capacity. Many Australian homes are not allowed to export more than 5 kW to the grid. But there is also the DNSP rules which need to be followed. 0000037764 00000 n For example, if you are export limited, only the Envoy-S with consumption monitoring can provide this. Assume positive intention.4. Western Australia Horizon Power area: Regional Western Australia. The distributor deals with that by putting the voltage slightly up at the sending end. But it seems the situation has been changing for the better in the last couple of months in a number of affected areas. Am I wrong? Quotes vary and the deal has to be value/advantage logical or whats the point. trailer In contrast, most other network distributors set a strict upper limit on the size solar panel system you can install, typically 10kW for single-phase properties. 5kW times the number of hours is the total production over that time. The installer has been able to get the system through WP in the past as the inverter can limit the export to grid to 3kva. Single-phase properties can install inverter capacity up to 5 kilowatts while 3 phase properties can install up to 30 kilowatts. So while the article suggests 10kW inverter ( 13.33kW DC) in fact the limit seemed to be 10kW DC ( hmmm what does 10kW generation mean exactly ?.) If youre not satisfied with what answers our calculator gives, let me know your figures for grid electricity and solar feed-in tariff and Ill come up with an estimate for you. 0000037419 00000 n I had applications rejected, and when I asked there was NO course for negotiation or discussion its the RULES is s synopsis of the responses. All I can really suggest is to try to shift power use to the middle of the day and hope mainly solar energy is consumed. If you use a pre AS4777.3:2005 the limits are probably even higher, but you loose some other features (like frequency ramping which is probably very sensible to have if you want to be a good grid citizen), and you probably are not supposed to run those unless it is a pre 2016 install. Powercor will respond in one of three ways: Approve the size system you've requested Limit the amount of power you can export to the grid (e.g. 3. DC Input Power (Wp) 10000, from its published datasheet. Put down your weapons.3. it is, kind of, effectively export limiting. I think of it like the rate at which water is flowing out of a hose. I was always of the belief that a 5kW inverter limited the total output/ production from my 6.5kW solar system to 5 kW, irrespective of what is being used in the house. Why my Power Limit is set to ON with the % whereas her Power Limit is set to OFF and she has been exporting. Even then, the losses from the limit are minor. Thanks Ron. My guess is that when the Envoy-S sees it needs to throttle due to export limits, it does this by sending the same instruction to all micros to throttle the same amount (but dont know for sure). A 5 kilowatt inverter will never supply more than 5 kilowatts of power no matter how many kilowatts of panels it has. The following is a list of the areas in case youve been missed. Thanks Ronald! 0000005359 00000 n While export limiting is possible its not always approved. Whilst this may not be technically defined as export limiting, as the inverter specifications, specify that the inverter, whilst allowing up to an overload factor of 2, will only generate up to 5kW of A/C power As a general rule, 5kW tends to be the upper system size limit for single-phase connections, but some networks allow up to 10kW. 0000038562 00000 n So the size of the system becomes irrelevant if you can only export 3kwh (we are Regional NSW Essential Energy). endstream endobj 351 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/Index[17 289]/Length 31/Size 306/Type/XRef/W[1 1 1]>>stream The good news is, even in a worst-case situation, the amount will be fairly minor. For any amount above the daily export, you will receive our standard retailer feed-in tariff of 5 . 258 Weve got a system that can be left alone in my opinion, so adding say 6.6kw and a 10kw battery makes good sense but what a task. There may well be a tipping point in battery prices where a drought of mid day solar will be followed by very little evening use and possibly large numbers of households abandoning the grid altogether. 220 South Australian solar panel owners can currently export 5 kilowatts of electricity to the grid but under Flexible Exports, they could export double that amount 10kW. Powercor says the Solar Hotspots initiative is the first stage of a five-year Future Networks program to support customer investment in solar power systems, electric vehicles and battery storage. This is assuming that my understanding of what I have read, is correct; that such a system would be permitted, in a single phase connection to the SWIS grid. Or is there a build up of voltage in the system? I think the installers like the Volt-watt modes, because if you dont know where to look they hid the problem at your expense anyway. Single-phase properties can have up to 5 kilowatts of inverter capacity, and 3 phase properties can have up to 30 kilowatts. The battery is charging from the DC current which is before the inverter. More information about the program and how customers can get the most out of their rooftop solar is available at www.powercor.com.au/solar-energy Because you dont see the rather obvious shutdowns (or see them less), you might not notice your solar might be throttled back on a regular basis. The data has 5KW flat lining confirming more is being generated. This means you tend to see panels at the end of strings shutdown soonest on voltage risk conditions, as they have the highest voltage rise being at the end of the string. This applies to both single-phase and three-phase properties. I am trying to get a system installed (6.5k smart hybrid inverter with a battery) and have been told by Western Power that I am limited to a 3.0 kva system. After a major works program involving more than 500 different network alterations and other activities across nine key regions among the most constrained parts of the network, Powercors new solar connections export approval rate of just over 60% at the start of the year has increased to above 90%. We have a 3kwh system and are really using as much during the day as we can. Sorry if dumb question. For example, our Solar Enablement program is intended to allow more customers to connect a 5kVa solar PV system with export capacity. Hi All. 2. As a side issue for you, if you (like lots of people) have high voltages issue causing shutdown / throttling, I am not a big fan of the Volt-watt modes, as often these modes will also lower the voltages at which the throttling kicks in. Can one have micro-inverter panels without a gateway, and how would that be limited? Powercor says it has contacted all solar customers within the previously impacted areas to let them know about the companys progress and to encourage them to consider reapplying for exports. Is there anything that can be done about it? Since in WA you cant have more than a 5kW inverter on a private residence, I believe there isnt actually export limiting in play, and the inverter itself clips the output AC regardless how much the panels are generating, sadly. We are in an area where only about 20% of the homes have solar. Activities part of Powercors Solar Hotspots program carried out over three months included upgrading infrastructure, adjusting tap settings on street-level transformers, balancing voltage levels on powerlines and various tweakery at zone substations. A Decent Battery From sonnen. AC Output Data Larger inverters that are export limited are allowed on a case by case basis. So yeah, the Envoy is essentially all you need to configure export limiting or anything else if you have an Enphase microinverter set-up. While losses increase as the solar power system size goes up, even with 10 kilowatts of panels which is twice the export limit, only 13% of generation is lost. Also, given that export limited inverters (supposedly) work the same, regardless of the grid to which they are connected, why is it so, that states have different rules whereby some allow export limited inverters, and, some do not? Please confirm the maximum export limit in the relevant section of this application.. The new inverter standard AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 has new inclusions to address grid stability issues - a new feature that is necessary to further enhance the hosting capacity to accommodate more solar and renewable energy systems. Youll also start receiving the SolarQuotes weekly newsletter, keeping you up to date on all the latest developments on Australias solar scene. given that we are working from home all the time these days. What Happens to the Surplus Power That Can't Be Exported to the Grid? Is this default, or would it be programmed in if the distributor required it? Rooftop solar works by turning sunlight into electric power. It also allows you to focus on increasing your self consumption which in turn provides a better return on investment. I am afraid Western Power is very strict. Shane, you appear to be mixing up kW and kWh easily done! We respect your privacy and you can opt out from the newsletter at any time. (Note: it is possible to install a larger system, say 10kW on a single phase property and meet the Powercor rules by export limiting the system . I was told to set Power Limit to ON. AS4777.2:2015 has some rather low default recommendations, which can be tweaked up as no doubt my profile has allowed. The solar installer or customer must have sought and received pre-approval from us for the requested capacity of the generator. Whats the logical and practical way forward? My AS4777.2:2015 profile allows voltages up to 265v (for short periods, and shuts down on 10 minute averages above 258v). Very true AL0126. I think I was partially wrong about how my PV is connected to the home and the meter. P/Prated (%) I was lucky to have an early approval, so limited to 10Kw (or due to bad calculation by the approver, 8.6Kw, where he said ALL the Neutral current went down the common Neutral wire, where in fact only the difference between the phases goes down the Neutral (2 phase, 180 degree). This certainly goes well beyond initial configuration and reporting. South Australia Power Networks (SAPN) area: SAPN is the only distributor in South Australia. Max. And, if a street full of these, plugs their cars into the grid, for recharging, starting the recharging between 1700 and 1800, lots of entertaining fireworks, along the street powerlines exploding. Here at SolarQuotes, we had been hearing quite a few complaints about Powercors zero export limits. amended or replaced from time to time. But still the solar companies keep trying to sell it to me.. After all, Im a big picture kind of guy. I do NOT have a device in my meter box that could tell the inverter anything about consumption and feed in energy. If we consider a home in Sydney where no electricity is used during the day, and all the solar panels face directly north, then the percentage of output that will be lost due to a 5 kilowatt export limit would be: So even in a worst-case situation for Sydney, an 8 kilowatt solar system that is exported limited to 5 kilowatts will only lose 4% of generation. 220 Your dedicated meter will inform the inverter, and it will immediately reduce the power, so it doesnt exceed 5 kilowatts1. %PDF-1.4 % Metered and a non metered version. See image at http://www.johnrogers.com.au/battery_charging_noon.jpg, CORRECTION: My 13.25 kW system will not go above the 10 kW inverter limit unless my house battery is charging and then it can go to 13.25 kW. Makes sense but begs my next question (sorry). 0000005986 00000 n Anyway you are probably not supposed to be messing around with the profiles without agreement of your DNSP. But I can tell you a few things that might help with some of your pondering :- 1. the system is set to export the maximum amount of power approved in our Solar Export Pre-Approval to you your obligations as the owner and operator of an 'embedded generator' exporting . 2. About CitiPower and Powercor FACT SHEET: SOLAR EXPORT APPROVAL Set appliances to use your solar power Maintenance and safety checks are important Just last week, Powercor (Western Victoria) advised that they now have more room in the grid for export. What I find is installers dont seem to like it when I tell them my plan. Im glad to hear its flexible enough to do that. Australian Rooftop Solar Powers Rise Astounding, But.. Australias Emissions: Electricity Down, Transport Up, Compare Feed-In Tariffs And Electricity Plans, Victorias Powercor Lifts Its Solar Exports Game, 3029: Hoppers Crossing, Tarneit, Truganina, 3030: Cocoroc, Derrimut, Point Cook, Werribee, Werribee South, 3551: Ascot (Greater Bendigo), Axe Creek, Axedale, Bagshot, East Bendigo, Emu Creek, Eppalock, Epsom, 3337: Kurunjang, Melton, Melton West, Toolern Vale, 3340: Bacchus Marsh, Balliang, Coimadai, Darley, Hopetoun Park, Long Forest, Maddingley, Merrimu, 3352: Bonshaw, Bungaree, Bunkers Hill, Burrumbeet, Cambrian Hill, Cardigan, Cardigan Village, Clarendon, 3305: Bolwarra, Cape Bridgewater, Gorae West, Heathmere, Portland, Portland North, Portland West, 3444: Baynton, Kyneton, Lauriston, Lyal, Metcalfe, Redesdale, Tylden 3465 Alma, Bowenvale, Daisy Hill, Maryborough. I could easily share my excess power for the time I am not irrigating my crops. . Unfortunately, the meter companies and inverter manufacturers cant get their shit together, and the utility meters refuse to talk to the inverters. On the main grid, single-phase properties can have 5 kilowatts of solar inverter capacity, and three-phase properties can have 15 kilowatts. And, no matter how powerful, the members of the legislatures imagine themselves to be, and, no matter how trump-like, they are, they can not stop the future. Powercor is telling increasing numbers of households looking to install new systems in this area they will have a zero export limit. Website link shows system producing well over 10 kW. A condition of this basic connection offer is that all inverter energy systems must have the volt-watt and volt-var response modes enabled with the following settings: The infrastructure is not sufficiently flexible to deal with this. But a sub optimally configured grid sometimes forces installers into implementing setting that are probably less than ideal if the high voltage events in the grid were just occasions where there is too much generation and they do want have all generators throttle back to allow some time for rebalancing supply and demand. Most systems have mostly N facing panels, so really only generate peak power for a few hours a day (often 10am>2pm approx) I cant justify the cost of adding additional solar if the max I can export with Essential energy is 3kwh. Even if you have the Envoy-S, I believe at least on paper there was a Enphase Envoy-S But your situation is complicated by already having a 3 kilowatt system. 0000038296 00000 n Sorry Andrew: NQR. So if an inverter that is export limited to 5 kilowatts is providing 8 kilowatts of power, none of it will go to waste provided the home is consuming at least 3 kilowatts at the time. In my mind though the Smart meter at the box would adjust the export limit in line with what the house is consuming? 0000039018 00000 n Households and small businesses that generate electricity using solar panels, wind turbines, or other small-scale generators, can feed back any unused electricity into the electricity grid for other customers to use. We just applied for pre-approval from Powercor and were given a 0kW export approval which is going to make almost anything we choose uneconomical. Or, if you want a lower cost method of dealing with blackouts, you can get yourself a small generator. For example, I can see several Energex profiles that do things like limit export to differing amounts, turns on Volt-var without Volt-watt, or sets the power factor to 0.9. I prefer a profile that just has the voltages set to a high voltage threshold, and if I have to sacrifice V-W mode, so be it. VAr (var % rated VA) This could be important, given that we have a state parliamentary election due in a couple of months. I have 3 x PV systems on one phase. 0000029403 00000 n I am a total newbie to this but I am unclear why export limiting is good? Normally it makes more sense to buy a second, separate system, than to expand an existing one. Once voltage thresholds etc are configure in the profile by the Envoy at install, each micro operates largely independently. As has been explained (and COSTED) on previous occasions batteries are VERY cost-effective.IF you stay away from the hi-tech/overpriced/dependence-creating/unproven battery-systems advocated by commercially self-interested parties. The naming of zones may differ between manufacturers but may appear as: Australia A - applies to the configuration of inverter settings in Victoria and all Eastern . My question is should that then eliminate the 5 kw inverter of the powerwall wich Energex claims is part of the 10kw allowance on a single phase? This 80% could translate to an estimated 50,000 current or potential solar customers able to export more solar to the grid. That can raise the voltage to a level dangerous to appliances. Real names are preferred - you should be happy to put your name to your comments.2. Some say so you want to replace your system? But whether or not extra solar capacity will pay for itself is another matter. This is sufficient to charge a battery, although larger solar systems generally improve the return from batteries. ) I have a 14kW solar array running Enphase IQ7+ microinverters (43 of them) hooked up to the grid in a 3-phase configuration in the Endeavour Energy area in NSW, and they currently have the profile AU default AS4777.2:2015 30kVa, Vv, Vw set. 0000022631 00000 n So an Enphase setup, without a continuously operating Envoy with not be providing this functionality and likely to raise some concerns in the AS4777.2015 certification process if they did not take steps to make sure these functions are always guaranteed to be implemented. I have divided Australias regions into three categories: The information below assumes the property is on the main grid. In my case, I have N & W facing panels, My inverters clip to 5Kw for a few hours, but I can still export a reasonable amount. Though endless quibbling over unnecessary details might keep the presses churning, a FACT remains that Ive been using ever-more-cost-effective batteries since 1980. Im afraid in a typical situation the inverter wont show its potential output. ARTICLE WRITES: Queenslands Energex area: South East Queensland. 0000038484 00000 n And doing so potentially puts you running in a non compliant state. That would provide both export limiting, and, the incorporation of a battery system (for my household, if we would have a 6.6 kW panels generating capacity system, rather than the 5kW one that we have, something like the BYD LVS 20 or 24kWh battery tower, would, I believe be appropriate), which would provide for energy arbitrage, smoothing both power exported to the grid, and, power imported from the grid, especially during peak demand periods. Contracts and resources for connection agreement, Vegetation clearing requirements for new powerlines, Registered Electrical Contractor resources, Rapid Earth Fault Current Limiters (REFCL), Endorsement for wholesale demand response. There is not likely to be an Enphase system without a gateway (called the Envoy with in the Enphase system), because this is needed to setup the system, configure its profiles and report production and other important functions of the system. So, I am pretty much left in the dark about whether all the energy my panels are theoretically producing is being utilised, or (which is my fearful assumption) up to 1.6kW are wasted whenever the panels produce more than 5kW AC. But, if you are living in an area where it is required to install a large solar system a situation around half of Australians are in then export limiting can allow a larger system with normally very minor losses of clean solar generation. My sister has the same type of inverter (Goodwe) but she lives in the Estern suburbs of Victoria and she has been exporting but her Power Limit was set OFF. This is because even if there is only a refrigerator running during the day it will reduce the losses from export limiting and if an effort is made to shift electricity consumption to the middle of the day then losses can be mostly or entirely eliminated. I installed 6.6kw solar panels and have Goodwe 5kw inverter and applied for export limit of 5kw. However they have been advised that this wont be allowed anymore. sonnenBatterie Evo. Powercor is the Distributed Network Service Provider for central and western Victoria, as well as Melbournes western suburbs. Australian Rooftop Solar Powers Rise Astounding, But.. Australias Emissions: Electricity Down, Transport Up, Compare Feed-In Tariffs And Electricity Plans, Solar Export Limiting What It Is & Why Its Useful. 0000039096 00000 n Exporting surplus solar power is good because it reduces fossil fuel generation and pays you a feed-in tariff that reduces electricity bills. Despite the low feed-in tariff you will receive it can still be worthwhile, especially if you can shift some electricity consumption to the middle of the day. I am not even sure the inverter would support that, but I fear that sadly up to 25% of the PV energy might be going to waste! See image at http://www.johnrogers.com.au/battery_charging_noon.jpg. Because people have been refused any STCs for being just a few watts over, no installer will go over the limit for a normal installation. Its becoming common for solar inverters to be export limited, so the maximum amount of power they send into the grid is less than theyre capable of providing. Energex doesnt automatically allow inverters over 5 kilowatts to be installed with export limiting, but currently regularly grants permission for single-phase homes on the main grid to install up to 10 kilowatts of inverter capacity with export limiting. I cant see any reference to the NT. It owns and operates the states largest electricity distribution network, and is responsible for more than half a million poles and over 88,000 kilometres of powerlines. An option is to take your pumps off-grid and run them independently off a separate off-grid solar system. They did say that with future upgrades we could reapply, but I cant find a way to do this. (Or at least it will be expensive to set up well. The majority of customers are approved for the export level they request. is it 10kW AC or DC?? We want to add a battery and it seems logical to add more cells also to another inverter/battery setup. 0000001260 00000 n 1. Hi i want to install solar with no power Origin offers 8 cents per kWh until a daily export limit of 14 kWh is reached. ACTs EvoEnergy Network Area: Covers most homes in the ACT, especially in built-up areas. If they want a big solar system with an inverter larger than 5 kW, they must export limit the inverter. Please stay on topic. Swearing revenge, he began his lifelong quest to reduce the harm the environment could cause. Its also unusual for a large solar system to have all the panels facing the same direction. While there are some energy management measures that could help around the edges, I cant think of any good solutions for the typical business. 0% Victoria's "Hotest" Solar Postcode is 3977 at last look. But just note, not everyone Envoy has required bits to do export limiting. (We are conected to a 25Kw transformer, with 5 consumers connected.). 44% leading Australian network service providers (including CitiPower) use solar export limits to keep voltage levels in transmission lines operating within safe . It appears the wire from the inverter is directly connected to my main fuse for the house circuits. Up until quite recently, Powercor had been informing a large proportion of households looking to install new solar systems they will have to cop a zero export limit due to high congestion created by exports from existing systems.

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