The daily export limit is averaged across your billing period (calculated by multiplying the number of days in your billing period by your daily export limit of 14 kWh). I know in the movie the Bad was worse than the Ugly, but thats not the way Im doing it. The whole system of domestic rooftop photovoltaic systems, needs to be reviewed; by both the legislatures and regulators, and, by the components (especially the inverters) manufacturers. 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. These consumption spikes go past the Solar energy being limited suggesting were drawing from the grid! Limited export means more power for home If your system has a limit on how much it can export then it means more power will get used in your home instead. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Download the first chapter of The Good Solar Guide, authored by SolarQuotes founder Finn Peacock, FREE! Shane, you appear to be mixing up kW and kWh easily done! In exchange, the customer receives a small rebate on their bill for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) they export. Aside from that, when you have high resistance lines, there is a voltage drop over their length. 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? AC Output Data That said, provided the Installer included your details and phone number in the customer section when the SPA was lodged, the solar team intends to follow up with customers if capacity becomes available to export into the grid through upgrades to the network.. Select your country/region. I will update the article with the information. This certainly goes well beyond initial configuration and reporting. Im surprised this hasnt hit the mainstream media yet. 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. So what goes throgh the meter, in either direction, is the difference between what you generate and what you use. and only supply me with power from the grid Definition A low voltage embedded generation connection in CitiPower and Powercor is defined as "an LV EG system with a total system capacity greater than 30kVA for a three-phase IES or non-IES (excluding ESS) network connection that is: But still the solar companies keep trying to sell it to me.. 0000009573 00000 n
The data has 5KW flat lining confirming more is being generated. Im in regional WA with a rural 2 phase supply. 0000029011 00000 n
Thus, the question arises; if a single phase domestic rooftop photovoltaic system, involving a Goodwe GW-5000-MS inverter, and, 10kW of solar panels generating capacity, is installed (across up to three MPPTs), would the federal solar panels rebate apply to all of the 10kW of solar panels, or, to only the first 6.66 (or whatever is the exact applicable quantity) of the solar panels generating capacity? Unfortunately, the meter companies and inverter manufacturers cant get their shit together, and the utility meters refuse to talk to the inverters. In a Enphase system, only the Envoy can provide this. No unfortunately. While this is fine during the week when we are open, it seems a huge waste of electricity on the weekends when we are closed. Queenslands Energex area: South East Queensland. While installing solar panels can still be worth it under these conditions, its a disincentive, increases payback time and is generally a pretty crappy state of affairs. Im in the Endeavour Energy area. Hi All. When it says that you can export 5kw, does that mean you can export up to 5kw PER HOUR? I could easily share my excess power for the time I am not irrigating my crops. Thanks Ron. So basically the whole local industry is going to be cactus until this is resolved. First read the section How Export Limiting Works at the top of this thread. Three-phase homes can install up to 15 kilowatts of inverter capacity or 30 kilowatts with export limiting, except in South East Queensland where special permission is required from Energex to install an export limited inverter over 15 kilowatts. NSWs Essential Energy area: Regional NSW. Solar export limiting, or 'export limiting', occurs most often when there is more power being pushed into the grid than it can handle. Im afraid in a typical situation the inverter wont show its potential output. Single-phase properties can install inverter capacity up to 5 kilowatts while 3 phase properties can install up to 30 kilowatts. But if you dont use much electricity it may need to be very small, as I explain here: https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/zero-kw-export-solar/. Generation sources can be, but are not limited to solar, wind and batteries. This is disappointing as this would be an easy option to implement. With permission export limiting can be used to install larger systems. I am a bit confused about export. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Download the first chapter of The Good Solar Guide, authored by SolarQuotes founder Finn Peacock, FREE! Great article and content on this website Or, if you want a lower cost method of dealing with blackouts, you can get yourself a small generator. I have not been able to get an answer from Growatt Australia yet, it seems there is a bit of a cover-up going on. To add to this, in the installer section of the Envoys web server control panel, you can set the profile by which all microinverters operate. Of more concern is occasional spikes in consumption which go past the 5kw limit. Im glad to hear its flexible enough to do that. Powercor is telling increasing numbers of households looking to install new systems in this area they will have a zero export limit. The uptake of solar has surprised the powers that be so they are basically wasting free energy and penalizing the producers in the process. If a home cant export any power at all then there is no financial reason to install a large solar system. Finally! Allows installation but has an export limit. Thanks for the information. 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 Below is the email response I received from Powercor. 0000007554 00000 n
Normally single phase properties can have up to 5 kilowatts of solar inverter capacity and 3 phase properties can have 15 kilowatts. 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. He first became interested in environmental matters when he was four years old after the environment tried to kill him by smashing fist sized hailstones through the roof of his parents Toowoomba home. 100% We do not prevent customers from installing solar for their own self-consumption. Real names are preferred - you should be happy to put your name to your comments.2. Assume positive intention.4. Can you provide comment and evaluation of power tracing please. What I find is installers dont seem to like it when I tell them my plan. NSWs Endeavour Energy area: Western Sydney. I realise that Australian legislatures do not care about the future, but, the future is coming, whether the legislatures like it or not. 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. Providing the export limiting is done on the meter current as described above ( not on the inverter output current), you can generate more than the export limit if you are consuming enough power to make up the difference between generation and export limit. (2nd one APPROVAL/SITE SPECIFIC CONDITION(s): Total Solar Export must be limited to 5kW). They did say that with future upgrades we could reapply, but I cant find a way to do this. As the LG Chem battery charges using DC current from the panels it is possible to go over the 10 kW inverter limit by charging the LG Chem battery in the middle of the day. The battery is charging from the DC current which is before the inverter. So my understanding of the info above is that my inverter will increase production in unison with demand until it hits 5kw? Powercor claims 30% increase in rooftop solar export approvals Victorian network service provider Powercor claims a major works program designed to alleviate grid congestion in areas of high rooftop solar PV penetration has boosted the approval rate for new solar connections to export excess energy to the grid by an impressive 30%. Note that connections off the main grid are usually far more restricted. NSWs Ausgrid Network Area: This covers East Sydney, Newcastle, and out to Merriwa. 0000009027 00000 n
Were continually investing in our networks and aim to keep customers informed if additional export capacity becomes available in their area. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. And Set Power Limit to 100%. Ronald was born more years ago than he can remember. Normally it makes more sense to buy a second, separate system, than to expand an existing one. sonnenBatterie Evo. As your sister can presumably export as much power as her solar inverter can produce it wouldnt need this device. We want to add a battery and it seems logical to add more cells also to another inverter/battery setup. There are profiles that still conform the microinverters to AS4777.2:2015, but can disable Volt-Var/Volt-Watt, change the power factor to 0.9 (some grid operators require this), turn off export altogether or set specific maximum export levels like 1kW, 3kW etc., or configure to satisfy specific grid network requirements. He's been reporting on Australian and international solar energy news ever since. 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? 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. %%EOF
There are versions without this consumption monitoring (old Non -s version of Envoy and even the Envoy-S without consumption monitoring). The earth is used as one conductor which has a higher resistance than a copper wire. Why on earth would I do that if I can help it. But depending on our network capacity, export constraints may influence the size of the unit they install. Victorias Jemena network area: A small but crowded chunk of North and Western Melbourne. Sorry Andrew: NQR. Sometimes Powercor can reduce that to a lower figure, or even set a zero-export limit. Metered and a non metered version. 10kW of inverters with 11.325kW of panels. Residential properties are unlikely to be allowed to use export limiting to install even larger inverters. When an inverter is export limited, it has to know how much solar energy is being sent into the grid so it can immediately reduce output if its about to go over the limit. I dont quite understand how the DC energy from the inverter can go to my home circuits first, before any excess current is fed into the grid. Only residential homes with inverters of 5 kilowatts or less can receive the states. Or is the energy produced by the panels but dissipated somehow? I think it is illegal in WA to rewire your inverter or modify any parameters, as it may result in more than 5kW being sent to the grid, so I will just bite the bullet and see that I use as much solar as possible. I still dont know if they have programmed the inverter to reduce the overall output by a percentage or not. Furthermore, the sustained overvoltage inverter protection set point shall be set to 258V. Even if I were exporting 100% of it, it still would only bring down my bills by a tiny amount per month. Ready for some quotes? A Decent Battery From sonnen. 260 Would the gateway signal the micro inverters to shut down one at a time, or to all reduce output equally? The reason for this query, is that, in the past, my understanding has been that, in WA, where export limiting is apparently, banned by the gratuitously oppressive state parliament, and, where a limit of a 5kW output inverter, is allowed, for a single phase grid connection on the SWIS grid, a limit of 6.66 kW of panels generating capacity, is imposed for single phase connections to the SWIS grid, and, thence, the limit of panels generating capacity, to which the federal solar panels rebate applies, for such a connection, has been the 6.66kW. sonnenBatterie Evo. We installed 4.5kw with a 5kw inverter in 2014. See image at http://www.johnrogers.com.au/battery_charging_noon.jpg. Rooftop solar works by turning sunlight into electric power. Is it the 6.66 kW, as the 1.3 overload factor of a 5kW inverter, or, is it the maximum allowed (by the manufacturer) panels generating capacity, for an inverter that is allowed by a state/territory government? 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. 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. We might still be willing to do this all the same, from an environmental viewpoint. Of course the manufacturers dont want this to be public knowledge and pretend that once you paid for a system you are set for life (yours, not that of the system). Export limiting does limit the inverter output, but only as needed to keep the export power below the limit. Many NSW rural situations are limited to 3Kw export, due to the length of the transmission lines. The Solar installer is telling me that they just started getting 0kW approvals back for about 9 out of 10 requests and so they dont believe they will be able to do many installs at all going forward. Queenslands Ergon network area: All of Queensland on the main grid outside of South East Queensland. This profile also doesnt impose any export limits, because Endeavour Energy didnt require them of my installation (maximum is 30kW for a 3-phase installation, which my one is well under). &K?BK:T$A1Cn Can I share my power excess with me neighbour? 306 0 obj
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They hid the problem pretty well, because they do tend to reduce the amount of shutdowns. 352 0 obj
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I have 13.25 kW of panels with a 9.8 kW LG Chem battery and a 10 kW inverter export limited to 5 kW. 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. I have a 5kw solar system plus a Tesla powerwall 2 on my house . Thanks. In an Enphase system, that is with the Envoy-S with consumption monitoring. 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. This gives the advantage of having a new system covered by a new set of warranties. The majority of customers are approved for the export level they request. 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. 0000010080 00000 n
Even then, the losses from the limit are minor. 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. Im in the same situation, except I have an existing 5kW system. Some manufacturers may have this pre-selected. A man named Canute, proved that, centuries ago. I have seen my panels producing over 13 kW of power when the battery is drawing 3 kW DC power and the battery, house and car 10 kW of AC power. I could not convince him that I knew what I was talking about! 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). 0000039096 00000 n
Real names are preferred - you should be happy to put your name to your comments.2. You could contact Powercor and explain your situation, but I suspect theyll say you need to be an installer to check if an increase in export capability is available. Ready for some quotes? For any amount above the daily export, you will receive our standard retailer feed-in tariff of 5 . If you dont get under the covers and look carefully at the logs you might miss this, or think it is a cloud coming over, rather than voltage triggered throttling. We have had solar for 6 years and just recently moved homes. at night or not enough at day time ? 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. Powercor's technical assessment aims for these works to enable at least 80% of new solar applications to export 5 kW. Okay, so that heading may be a bit of an exaggeration, but improvements the company has carried out appear to have made quite a difference. 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. I guess it would be technically possible to have a solar system with a battery but still be connected to the grid as backup. . Long term benefits would be a more energy efficient system. ARTICLE WRITES: Queenslands Energex area: South East Queensland. What inverter do you have? I think that the limiter can connect only to one inverter and not two at the same time. As per current standards, a single phase premises is limited to 10kW generation and 5kW export. After all, Im a big picture kind of guy. Origin offers 8 cents per kWh until a daily export limit of 14 kWh is reached. Will this mean any additional system would be limited to 0kW output?? Its also worth taking a look in case you shied away from installing solar panels in the past because of the situation now might be the time to revisit the idea. 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. 0000037497 00000 n
If that is the case it seems counter intuitive to me as I dont know if demand will outstrip production until I actually turn the appliance (eg A/C) on and check the display. But given average voltages are probably well above what they should be in lots of places, and once you factor in your local voltage rise, and pretty low values under AS4777 etc, there is not much room to play with until the distributors get the act together and deliver us power that better matches the 230v standard they are required to deliver us. A 5 kilowatt inverter will never supply more than 5 kilowatts of power no matter how many kilowatts of panels it has. 0000011077 00000 n
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It seems so strange that it is clear government policy to get more solar going and yet the network operators are effectively blocking it now. Its only possible to go larger with a zero export limit: https://www.powerwater.com.au/customers/power/solar-power-systems/pv-class-requirements. 258 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. 306 47
Anyway you are probably not supposed to be messing around with the profiles without agreement of your DNSP. If the transformer capacity is limited, you could install solar initially with a low export limit (eg 1 kW) and then have your export limit increased when the transformer was . It is just the placement of the meter and the current sensor that controls the limiting. If you are export limited, the only way to implement that is with some sort of meter as Ronald says. (Image from Finns Tesla App). Thats a furphy from go to whoa. Of course, if you are planning to get an electric car, that has the potential to make a huge difference to your self consumption of solar power. I think I was partially wrong about how my PV is connected to the home and the meter. Interesting article. Voltage (V) measured at inverter terminals We are in an area where only about 20% of the homes have solar. 4. 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! Quotes vary and the deal has to be value/advantage logical or whats the point. trailer
Solar customers who currently have a limit on the amount they can export are invited to contact Powercor to reapply for an export agreement based on the greater capacity now available on the network. I do NOT have a device in my meter box that could tell the inverter anything about consumption and feed in energy. All is explained here: http://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/kw-and-kwh-what-is-the-difference/, ( 5kW per hour is a non-sensical unit unless you want to describe an acceleration of energy! 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. STCs can be received for panel capacity up to one-third greater than the inverter capacity. The ideal way to measure the power flow in and out of your house would be to ask your existing electricity meter. Hi Everyone, Website link shows system producing well over 10 kW. 0000027694 00000 n
IE if Im producing 8KW, the house is using 2KW it will still export 5kw? Single-phase properties can have up to 5 kilowatts of inverter capacity, and 3 phase properties can have up to 30 kilowatts. But you may as well just get a standard inverter and send your excess electricity into the grid. 0
Phone, email, give us feedback or make a claim. How to correctly configure inverter settings. Victoria's "Hotest" Solar Postcode is 3977 at last look. 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. 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. Does anyone know how the limiter works in this scenario with 2 inverters? 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. 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, While there are some energy management measures that could help around the edges, I cant think of any good solutions for the typical business. Upgrading the local electricity network so more businesses and households can export excess solar to share. 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 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. For example, if you are export limited, only the Envoy-S with consumption monitoring can provide this. 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, Powercor's new solar connections export approval rate of just over 60% at the start of the year has increased to above 90%.