We are responsible for providing a safe and stable energy network (grid) for our customers and workers. This is why all new renewable energy installations must be approved by us.

Our process

You will need pre-approval from us before you can start installing the system for the customer.

All systems greater than 30kW are manually reviewed by one of our technical assessors. They are responsible for evaluating the effects of your proposed design on the network and checking that there is enough capacity to host your system.

The steps to apply are:

1. Submit our pre-approval form with the details of the system you intend to install (including your For Construction Single Line Diagram).
2. Once we receive your completed application, we will send you an invoice.
3. Once the invoice is paid our technical assessors will evaluate your application for pre-approval.

Our requirements

Your proposed installation must comply with the requirements in the following documents:

• Protection Requirements of Embedded Generators (LV + HV up to 22kV) - SOP 11-16
• Central Protection Commissioning Test Report - SOP 33-07
• Power Quality Compliance Requirements - SOP 33-08
• Single Line Diagram Requirements. SLD must be in electronic format, incorporate central protection relay and describe the proposed installation.

• Completed Embedded Generator and Battery Storage Pre-Approval Form
• Single Line Diagram (SLD), that incorporates central protection relay and describes the proposed installation. Must be in electronic format.
• Invoice payment (this must be paid before technical assessment can commence)

Costs

$2000.00 (excl. GST) for systems up to 200kW

$3000.00 (excl. GST) for systems greater than 200kW and up to 1.5MW.

Time frame

Up to 65 business days

Our process

If your application is successful we will email you an approval offer outlining the conditions for approval. You will be provided a link in that email that will bring you to a page to accept or decline the offer. 

Alternatively we will contact you with options for getting your system approved. For example, reduce the system size, limit the power exported from the installation or strengthen the network (such as a bigger transformer or extra poles and wires).

You may install the system after you have received an approval offer from us and have accepted that offer. In order to undertake the commissioning tests, we will allow the temporary connection of the system in accordance with Central Protection Commissioning Test Report (SOP 33-07) and Power Quality Compliance Requirements (SOP 33-08).

If you wish to:

• remove part of the system; or
• add solar panels and batteries to your system,

Our requirements

The installation of the system is subject to all of the following:

• We must be notified a minimum of 10 business days prior to the commission test date to enable us to witness the commission testing if we outline this requirement in our approval letter
• Until the final approval letter and Connection contract are received and approved, the inverter must not be connected to AusNet Services distribution system and the lockable switch must remain locked in the open position. The exception to this requirement is that the inverter may be connected to AusNet Services distribution system for the purpose of commissioning tests.

If you need to change the system you’ve been given approval for, you may need to reapply. Please discuss your intended changes with our Technical Assessor.

Costs

If we need to strengthen the network to approve of the system (such as a bigger transformer or extra poles and wires), we will let you know the costs for this.

Time frame

The system must be installed within 65 business days of approval

Our process

Once you have accepted your offer and installed your system, we need to review the commissioning tests results to ensure that it is working safely and as it should.

You wil need to come back online to review information in the post-installation tool, and upload the following documents:

1. Completed Electrical Works Request (EWR)
2. Completed Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES)
3. Commissioned Test Results

Our requirements

The final connection of the system is subject to all of the following:

• Receipt of final Connection Contract, including the Connection Agreement and technical schedules
• The electrical installation must have passed the prescribed inspection and have a valid Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES)
• Satisfactory commissioning of the system for compliance with AS4777 and with AusNet Services’ “Central Protection Commissioning Test Report” (SOP 33-07), a copy of the commissioning test report, including the CES and any other relevant tests requested of you must be provided to us.

Costs

There are no costs for this part of the process.

If you do not proceed to install you are eligible for part-refund of your initial fee. Get in touch with us to discuss.

Time frame

10 business days - Approximate time we need to review completed test results and provide final approval.

Our process

The final step in the process is having your meter updated to record energy generated on site.

In order for this to happen, you must send the following documents to your customers retailer:

1. Completed Electrical Works Request (EWR)
2. Completed Certificate of Electrical Safety (CES)

Your customer's Metering Provider (this may or may not be us) will receive the documents from your customers’ retailer. Once the paperwork has been reviewed the meter will be reconfigured to record energy generation. Please note, the electricity tariff will potentially change.

Your customer may now switch on the system and begin generating their own energy.

Our requirements

Your customer's energy retailer must request these metering changes from us (or their Metering Provider) before we can proceed.

There can only be one meter at each location. If there are more we will need to consolidate them - this requires a technician to visit the premises (truck visit).

If the premises does not have a smart meter, a manual reconfiguration will need to take place with a truck visit.

Costs

If we are the Metering provider: Your customer will be billed via their retailer:

$15.11 (ex GST) - Electronic Meter reconfiguration

$567.41 (ex GST) - Truck visit (if applicable)

Time frame

If we are the Metering provider:  10 business days - For us to approve the final installation and reconfigure the meter, after we receive it from the retailer.