- activating your new system; and
- starting to receive your feed in tariff.
Please read the following solar power activation information carefully. If you still have queries or concerns, contact your electricity retailer or distributor on the numbers provided in the ‘Where to get help’ section of Energy Matter’s post-installation manual (the system specific document that accompanies the User Guide).
- Victoria Solar Power Activation specific
- Queensland Solar Power Activation specific
- New South Wales Solar Power Activation specific
- South Australia Solar Power Activation specific
- General Solar Power Activation FAQ (nationwide)
Victoria Solar Power Activation
Whilst your system has been installed, there are still a few steps you will need to take before you can start receiving the feed-in tariff.
Grid connect system install
At this stage, your system is ready for connection.*
Energy Matters provides you with the necessary solar connection forms, which you will need to sign and show to the inspector. If you haven’t already obtained a copy of your feed-in tariff contract from your electricity retailer, you should request one and sign it to avoid it delaying your meter changeover.
Energy Safe Victoria inspects your system
Legislation requires Energy Matters to arrange for system inspection after the install. If the it meets all requirements, the inspector will send a Certificate of Electrical Safety back to Energy Matters to forward onto your electricity distributor. This initiates the meter changeover process.
Your meter changes over and your system can now be switched on
This generally occurs 6 – 8 weeks after Energy Matters’ install. Contact your electricity retailer if this doesn’t happen within this time-frame.
Receive your feed-in tariff
If your system has been switched on, you are connected to the grid and you have entered into a new contract with your Electricity Retailer, you should receive solar credits on your next bill. Contact your Electricity Retailer if this doesn’t happen.
*If you have a digital meter, electricity that your system exports to the grid may count as imported electricity so you will be double-charged. We encourage you not to turn your system on until your meter has been changed.
Queensland Solar Power Activation
Whilst your system is installed, there are still a few steps you will need to take before you can start receiving the feed-in tariff.
Network Connection Agreement
A Network Connection Application is sent to you to sign and send to your Electricity Distributor. Your Electricity Distributor will approve the Application and send out a Network Connection Agreement for you to sign and return to them.
EM completes the Grid connect system install
At this stage, your system is ready for connection.*
An electrical contractor makes the necessary wiring changes and submits the relevant form to your Electricity Distributor. This initiates the meter changeover process and your Electricity Distributor will liaise with your Electricity Retailer regarding the changeover. Contact your Electricity Retailer to arrange a Metering Additions and Alterations Service Order if they don’t contact you within 10 business days of installation.
Your meter changes over and your system can now be switched on
This generally occurs within a few weeks after EM’s install. Contact your Retailer if this doesn’t happen within this timeframe.
Receive a feed-in tariff
Once your meter change-over occurs, you should contact your Electricity Retailer to ensure that you are in a position to receive solar credits on your next bill.
*If you have a digital meter, electricity that your system exports to the grid may count as imported electricity so you will receive double-charges. We encourage you not to turn your system on until your meter has been changed.
South Australia Solar Power Activation
Whilst your system is in place, there are still a few steps you will need to take before you can start receiving the feed-in tariff.
Installation approval received from ETSA
Energy Matters provides ETSA with your grid connect system’s (GCS) details and specifications. This initiates the receipt of your PV SEG Approval Number from
ETSA.
Energy Matters completes the solar power system installation
At this stage, your system is ready for connection.*
Energy Matters can facilitate the meter change over process to eliminate the possibility of complications arising, and makes sure everything is in compliance. Once your Electricity Distributor grants a Service Order Request, EM will contact you to inform you when your meter change will occur.
Your meter is changed over and your system can now be switched on
This generally occurs 4 -6 weeks after Energy Matters’ install. Contact your retailer if this doesn’t happen within this timeframe.
Receive a feed-in tariff
Once your meter changed occurs, you should contact your Electricity Retailer to ensure that you are in a position to receive solar credits on your next bill.
*If you have a digital meter, electricity that your system exports to the grid may count as imported electricity so you will be double-charged. We encourage you not to turn your system on until your meter change.
New South Wales Solar Power Activation
Whilst your system has been installed, there are still a few steps you will need to take before you can start receiving the feed-in tariff.
Application to Connect
Energy Matters completes your Application to Connect form and receives a job number from your Electricity Distributor. The job number is forwarded to a Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP), who organises the meter changeover.
Energy Matters completes the grid connect system install, your meter is changes over and your system can start
At this stage, your system is ready for connection. The ASP should perform the meter changeover on or shortly after the day of your grid connect system (GCS) install. The ASP will complete a Notification of Service Work Form and a Certificate of Compliance, if they are content that your GCS meets safety standards. They will then switch your system on.
Where your ASP is unable to changeover your meter on the same day of your GCS install, this will occur shortly after the install. You should not switch on your system before your meter is changed over, as doing so can cause billing issues.
Receive a feed-in tariff
Once your meter changes over, you should contact your Electricity Retailer to ensure that you are in a position to receive solar credits on your next bill.
General Solar Power Activation FAQ’s
What price will my electricity retailer pay me for electricity I generate (in cents per kWh)?
A list of the feed in tariffs offered per state can be viewed here
However, we encourage you to contact your electricity retailer to find out the precise feed in tariff they will pay you as many retailers offer a premium of between 6-8 cents on top of the government rebate.
Victorian customers should take a look at the Victorian Department of Primary Industries’ website. This provides some more detailed information about the different feed in tariffs that Victorian electricity retailers offer.
Unfortunately, the other state governments do not provide equivalent information.
What is the cost of the electricity I will be purchasing from retailers (in cents per kWh)?
After your solar power system installation you will need to enter into a new contract with your, or another, electricity retailer before you can start receiving credit for the solar electricity your system generates.
Your rates are likely to stay the same unless you’re a Victorian customer. Victorian customers must contact the electricity retailer to find out whether the rates will change. It is highly likely that you move to time-of-use (TOU) rates, which may differ from your current rates.
Whilst this seems like an unfair consequence of changing to solar, its effects will be temporary as all Australian households will eventually lose off-peak rates as the nation moves to smart meters and time-based metering.
If you are not happy with the rates quote from your electricity retailer after your solar power activation, we advise that you investigate which retailers have the best rates. These can vary significantly from retailer-to-retailer.
Can my electricity retailer change my rates without my consent?
Most retailers have offer terms that permit them to change prices at any time if the changes are fair and reasonable and customers receive the mandatory notice The amount of notice is in the contract terms.
The only protection you have against this is to complain to the Energy Ombudsman if you don’t believe that the changes are fair and reasonable. Alternately, you can change retailers as rate increases may not occur uniformly.
When do the new rates apply?
The new rates will apply to your electricity usage from the day they take effect and will appear on your next bill after this date.
Will I lose my off-peak rates after my meter change? Will a time-of-use (TOU) tariff replace this?
If you have a dedicated off-peak system (i.e. hot water, slab heating or climate saver air-conditioning), you should ask your electricity retailer whether your meter allows configuration for this arrangement to continue.
Certain retailers may require you to install a ‘time switch’. This will ensure that your dedicated off-peak system only turns on when electricity is the cheapest. Time switches need installation by an electrician at your own expense.
Have you signed onto a premium feed-in tariff or a standard feed-in tariff?
As mentioned (see ‘What is the cost of the electricity you purchase from them (in cents per kWh)?’) you need to enter into a new contract with your, or another, electricity retailer before you can start receiving credit for the solar electricity your system generates.
NT, Queensland, SA, Tasmanian and WA customers receive only one type of feed in tariff, a ‘net’ feed in tariff, which is offered at the rates indicated here .
ACT, NSW and Victorian can receive one of two feed in tariffs. If you are an ACT, NSW or Victorian customer, you must notify your retailer which feed in tariff you want to receive before you enter into your new contract. Your retailer may put you onto the less favourable feed in tariff and it may be hard to change between feed in tariffs.
For more information on the ‘Net’ and ‘Gross’ feed in tariff (ACT and NSW customers), or the ‘Premium’ and ‘Standard’ feed in tariff (Victorian customers), please view this page.
What happens to the power I don’t use?
In NT, Queensland, SA, Victoria and WA, where a ‘net’ feed in tariff model in operation, the power you generate but don’t use feeds into the grid. You will receive a credit for the power you feed into the grid providing you have a bi-directional/‘smart’ meter.
In the ACT and NSW, where a ‘gross’ feed in tariff model is in operation, all the power you generate feeds into the grid. You will receive credit for this providing you have a gross meter.
What will be the form of payment for electricity you produce (i.e. will it be cash, cheque or EFT on request)?
You should contact your electricity retailer to find out the method that they adopt as this is likely to be different for most retailers.
Victorian customers should take a look at the Victorian Department of Primary Industries’ website as this provides some more detailed information about the different retailers’ treatment of excess credits.
Unfortunately, the other state governments do not provide equivalent information.
Are my billing/payment periods going to change?
You should contact your electricity retailer to find out this answer as this is likely to be different for most retailers.
Are there any penalty clauses (termination costs) or administration fees that I should be aware of?
If you are on a two-year contract with your electricity retailer, you may receive a $75 charge if you cancel within the first 12-months of the contract or a $50 fee if you cancel after 12 months.
Again, this does not apply to all the electricity retailers so you should contact yours for more accurate information.
Will I need to get a new meter? Is my current meter compatible with my new solar system?
It is necessary to have your meter changed post-install and we recommend that you don’t turn your new system on until you have a solar bi-directional/’smart’ meter. This advice is consistent with electricity distributors’ instructions.
The Victorian Government is currently rolling out 2.5 million ‘smart’ meters to all Victorian homes and businesses. If you are a Victorian customer who has already received a ‘smart’ meter, you may not need to have your meter changed over. However, it may need configuration by your electricity distributor so that it’s capable of recording exported electricity. Be aware that there may be a fee applicable for this.
What are the dangers of switching my solar system on before my meter change?
If you have a digital meter, electricity that your system exports to the grid may count as imported electricity so you will receive double-charges. If you currently have an analogue/mechanical meter, whilst your meter is likely to wind backwards when electricity exports to the grid, its design is not to operate in this way and might malfunction as a result.
You will not receive feed in tariffs for exported electricity as these meters have no way of recording how much your system is exporting.
Does my electricity retailer organise all the necessary metering changes? Is this Energy Matters’ responsibility?
Energy Matters will help you fill in the necessary paperwork to enable you to get your new meter as soon as possible. However, the meter changeover is the responsibility of your electricity retailer. Our accredited installer will contact your electricity retailer to arrange for your new meter installation. This is different for NSW residents where our accredited installer will contact a level 2 electrician to perform the change over on behalf of your retailer.
Be aware that your new meter will include a charge, unless exemptions exist in your state. Costs vary from state-to-sate. Billing for the cost of your new meter will come from your electricity retailer.
Is my new meter an interval, directional meter or a smart meter?
You should contact your electricity retailer to find out this answer as this is likely to be different for most retailers.
Can I have a smart meter, rather than an interval meter, to avoid unnecessary meter exchange costs when the smart meter rollout occurs? (applies to Vic customers only)
As mentioned, the Victorian Government is currently rolling out 2.5 million ‘smart’ meters to all Victorian homes and businesses.
All customers, apart from those in the Powercor distribution area, receive bi-directional meters. These meters will need replacement with a ‘smart’ meter when the rollout occurs in your distribution area.
If your electricity retailer is installing a bi-directional meter, you can elect to put off changing your meter until the roll out occurs in your area. If you elect to do this, it is preferable that you also delay installing their solar grid connected system. Otherwise you will not be able to take advantage of feed in tariffs. In some cases, you may even receive double-charges. See ‘What are the dangers of switching my solar system on before my meter change?’ above.
The advantage of waiting is that this will enable you to avoid unnecessary meter exchange costs when the smart meter rollout occurs.
If you are considering waiting, you should speak to your electricity retailer about when smart meters roll out in your area.
Are there any consequences of delaying the installation of a GCS? (applies to Vic customers only)
The ‘Premium’ feed in tariff scheme close to new applicants once it reaches a 100 megawatt cap of installed capacity statewide. Therefore, you should delay installation in circumstances where customers receive information that ‘smart’ meters are currently rolling out in their area.
For more information on the “Premium” and “Net” feed in tariff, click here.
When will the cap be reached? (applies to Vic customers only)
New customers will be able to take advantage of the ‘Premium’ feed in tariff until the total capacity of systems participating reaches 100 megawatts. With average sized systems of 1.0 to 1.5 kilowatts, up to 100,000 solar-powered households, community organisations and small businesses across Victoria will potentially benefit.
Since its introduction, the scheme has been very popular. The expectation is that more people will continue to sign-up and take advantage of its benefits. As at March 2010 at least 20,662 solar power systems were in Victoria, however not all are necessarily participating in our ‘Premium’ feed in tariff scheme.
How long will it take for meter installation?
This differs from state -to-state. We advise that it can take up to 2 months after the install for your meter change to occur. However, you should ask your electricity retailer or distributor for more accurate information.
If you have any other questions about Solar Power Activation then contact us here at Energy Matters.
