powercor solar export limitis it ok to give nexgard early
0000029011 00000 n Hi Everyone, If you are interested you can read about this here: https://www.solarquotes.com.au/inverters/mppt/. Have I been conned into believing I could produce up to 6.6kW myself, but in fact the maximum my inverter will ever allow through to the meter (and to my house) is only 5kW? We installed 4.5kw with a 5kw inverter in 2014. (2nd one APPROVAL/SITE SPECIFIC CONDITION(s): Total Solar Export must be limited to 5kW). This 80% could translate to an estimated 50,000 current or potential solar customers able to export more solar to the grid. 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. This extra meter adds to the cost of a solar system. 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. NSWs Essential Energy area: Regional NSW. Im on a swer line in rural south Australia. 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. 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. Although my testing shows that the micros technically operate quite independently, it is important to understand, only the Envoy can provide some critical components to a properly working Enphase System. The Good: In these locations, properties can usually install up to 10 kilowatts of solar inverter capacity if they have single-phase power and up to 30 kilowatts with 3 phase power. Most systems have mostly N facing panels, so really only generate peak power for a few hours a day (often 10am>2pm approx) Weve seen a rapid growth in rooftop solar systems.With each installation, were facilitating rapid growth in the amount of solar capacity on our network. The uptake of solar has surprised the powers that be so they are basically wasting free energy and penalizing the producers in the process. There are versions without this consumption monitoring (old Non -s version of Envoy and even the Envoy-S without consumption monitoring). Makes sense but begs my next question (sorry). By the time he was eight, he was already focused on using the power of the sun to stop fossil fuel emissions destabilizing the climate. 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? 0000011077 00000 n As your sister can presumably export as much power as her solar inverter can produce it wouldnt need this device. But if you suddenly switch off everything, there is more surplus solar power than youre allowed to export. When a home is exported limited, all the power the solar inverter can produce is available for the home to use. 0000008043 00000 n Will this mean any additional system would be limited to 0kW output?? No active system controls whether you use inverter of imported power. 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. VAr (var % rated VA) But youll need to be confident you wont be hit with high demand charges during the evening peak that will wipe out any advantage. The solar installer or customer must have sought and received pre-approval from us for the requested capacity of the generator. This seems technically impossible, because theres only a wire going from the inverter to the meter (the export or feed in to the grid) and a wire going from the meter to my homes main fuse. This is often referred to as 'network constraints'. Seem most solar places, even the ones the go on about how good they are, arent that good when presented with this, what seems to be a conundrum for them. Also note that for new installations in WA, only residences with inverters of 5 kilowatts or less can receive the states, Western Australias Western Power area: Perth and South West WA. Its moderately cheaper and the solar feed-in tariff youll receive will lower your electricity bills and increase the amount of clean energy available for others to use. Powercor's technical assessment aims for these works to enable at least 80% of new solar applications to export 5 kW. Thanks Ron. 0000028229 00000 n SAPN has told me I cant have more than a 5 kw inverter , but thats just not enough. 4. trailer It would definitely be better if we didnt need to limit the amount of power solar systems sent into the grid. Victorias United Energy Network Area: A large chunk of Melbourne on the east side Port Phillip Bay and the Bayside Peninsula. both said If you cant store the power (too expensive) and you cant export it, why the requirement (or desire) to put in large systems? Put down your weapons.3. 0000009573 00000 n I think is is utter madness that the VIC government is handing out generous rebates of $1850.00 and 4 year interest free loans of up to $1850.00 and Powercor has zero feed in capacity for excess solar power. So in effect I have two safety guards in place, 1. the 5kw limiter to the grit and 2. the extra Gateway . ACTs EvoEnergy Network Area: Covers most homes in the ACT, especially in built-up areas. Select your country/region. Larger inverters that are export limited are allowed on a case by case basis. Why on earth would I do that if I can help it. I have an existing 3.5kW PV system with Solis inverter. Why my Power Limit is set to ON with the % whereas her Power Limit is set to OFF and she has been exporting. People have done it at fairly low cost with second hand panels and a DC pump.) Voltage (V) measured at inverter terminals Do the inverters prevent the production of energy by the solar panels when an export limit would otherwise be exceeded? I am not sure whether it has been explicitly explained, but, what exactly, is the limit of panels generating capacity, that is covered by the federal solar panels rebate? Please make sure you engage early with our team through eConnect to check on network capacity for your customers. Nobody wants to see solar energy . 260 5kW export limiter imposed on one inverter. Where do I find information on reapplying for export with Powercor? 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. I could easily share my excess power for the time I am not irrigating my crops. sonnenBatterie Evo. 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. Select the AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 Australia A setting. 1. (Image from Finns Tesla App). Unfortunately, the inverters parameters such as Export Limitation are all password protected, and so far I have been unable to even determine who knows this password. If that doesnt worry you then you can get a battery and just hope it mostly pays for itself. This is sufficient to charge a battery, although larger solar systems generally improve the return from batteries. 0000005359 00000 n Some networks will allow larger sizes than those outlined below, pending specific approval from the network. But if people send a lot of power into the line then the voltage at the far end, instead of being lower than at the sending end, becomes higher. Store it and use it later (this requires solar battery storage), or it disappears into thin air via a heat sink. The solar PV system is connected to the network via an inverter. Im in the same situation, except I have an existing 5kW system. Instead the home can benefit from a small system, as I explain here: Ah yes I see. I live in Warrnambool, Victoria. In writing I was advised: 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. Youll also start receiving the SolarQuotes weekly newsletter, keeping you up to date on all the latest developments on Australias solar scene. So the size of the system becomes irrelevant if you can only export 3kwh (we are Regional NSW Essential Energy). ), converting to a maximum of 5kW of AC power, whilst the GW10K-MS provides for up to 13.5kW of panels generating capacity, across three MPPTs (strings? At the time of the powerwall install I also had the Gateway installed at an extra cost so I could keep using the generated power from the powerwall and during solar production when the powergrit fell out without danger for the grit workers because the Gateway instantly falls and prevent power to the grit. I am a bit confused about export. In an Enphase system, that is with the Envoy-S with consumption monitoring. That can raise the voltage to a level dangerous to appliances. Just last week, Powercor (Western Victoria) advised that they now have more room in the grid for export. In my mind though the Smart meter at the box would adjust the export limit in line with what the house is consuming? We have had solar for 6 years and just recently moved homes. Im afraid thats a tough situation. Unfortunately, SAPN wont allow more than 5 kilowatts of inverter capacity on an SWER line. It also allows you to focus on increasing your self consumption which in turn provides a better return on investment. Good question Tony. Efficiency has and will improve further over time, but never to the point of perpetuity. STCs can be received for panel capacity up to one-third greater than the inverter capacity. 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. South Australia Power Networks (SAPN) area: SAPN is the only distributor in South Australia. Sometimes Powercor can reduce that to a lower figure, or even set a zero-export limit. 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. NSWs Endeavour Energy area: Western Sydney. 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. Or, if you want a lower cost method of dealing with blackouts, you can get yourself a small generator. Also, if you are on the main grid the amount of power you are allowed to export can still be below the limits given or even zero, depending on how much additional solar capacity the local grid can handle at your location. 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. But I can tell you a few things that might help with some of your pondering :- 1. The earth is used as one conductor which has a higher resistance than a copper wire. 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. I wouldnt drive anything else. 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. 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. JackD 1 year ago. Sorry Andrew: NQR. is it 10kW AC or DC?? Interesting article. Ready for some quotes? it is, kind of, effectively export limiting. But, if you are really keen, I suppose you could use a site such as PV Institutes Live PV Map to see how other solar systems in your general area are performing: Note that patchy cloud can produce a lot of variation in output. 0000039096 00000 n So it is unfortunate that it is necessary, but good that people can still install a larger system and generally have insignificant losses. Have a good christmas. MPPT2 always shows better performance than MPPT, usually quite significantly better. Can anyone shed any light for me? Aside from that, when you have high resistance lines, there is a voltage drop over their length. Single-phase properties can have up to 5 kilowatts of inverter capacity, and 3 phase properties can have up to 30 kilowatts. Now, such a hybrid inverter, as I previously submitted as a post, as being needed, would have the capability of providing for up to 10kW of panels generating capacity, and, of power conversion of up to 10kW, to provide for up to 5kW to provide for charging a battery system, and, the other 5kW to provide for the household load and with surplus (to the household load, out of the 5kW provision) being exported to the grid. Normally it makes more sense to buy a second, separate system, than to expand an existing one. 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. 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: 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. The MSO helps us manage and keep our network safe for solar customers. 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. Real names are preferred - you should be happy to put your name to your comments.2. Of more concern is occasional spikes in consumption which go past the 5kw limit. 0000004823 00000 n 0000000016 00000 n I guess it would be technically possible to have a solar system with a battery but still be connected to the grid as backup. 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. Hi All, embedded generation system to the CitiPower and Powercor low voltage networks. What I find is installers dont seem to like it when I tell them my plan. As batteries currently operate they charge from power in the morning that could otherwise be sold rather than from power that may not be able to be sold in the middle of the day. is there a inverter that stops power going back We respect your privacy and you can opt out from the newsletter at any time. and only supply me with power from the grid 100% 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. 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 . Phone, email, give us feedback or make a claim. Depending on their location, some may be constrained to a lesser export level or even no exports at all. 0000038296 00000 n Amongst other things, AS4777.2015 has some requirements to shutdown on phase imbalance in a 3 phase setup. Hi All. Rooftop solar works by turning sunlight into electric power. 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. First read the section How Export Limiting Works at the top of this thread. 0% There are two options: 1. 0000038030 00000 n If you are in the solar industry - try to get to the truth, not the sale.5. Were continually investing in our networks and aim to keep customers informed if additional export capacity becomes available in their area. So if your home isnt currently drawing power you wont know from looking at the display if its capable of producing the maximum 5 kilowatts or if it cant provide more than 3 kilowatts. 5 kilowatt inverter + 6.6 kilowatts of solar panels (no export limiting): 0%, 6 kilowatt inverter + 8 kilowatts of solar panels: 4% loss, 7 kilowatt inverter + 9 kilowatts of solar panels: 8% loss, 8 kilowatt inverter + 10 kilowatts of solar panels: 13% loss, So, on the one hand, the Victorian Government is. It does this by adjusting the MPPT but instead of working to maximize power from the panels it reduces it. 0000001575 00000 n 0000017636 00000 n 0000027694 00000 n I havent made any applications yet, but Ill certainly be asking this question when I get quotes!. 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. 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/. 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. Assume positive intention.4. The standard relating to solar inverters is about to change. About 50%. For any amount above the daily export, you will receive our standard retailer feed-in tariff of 5 . But depending on our network capacity, export constraints may influence the size of the unit they install. Upgrading the local electricity network so more businesses and households can export excess solar to share. But you will probably find that there is another setting that it will shutdown when 10 minute average voltage is a measly 255v. ) 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. These consumption spikes go past the Solar energy being limited suggesting were drawing from the grid! 253 As far as I know, only solar installers can apply for export capacity in the Powercor area. Only residential homes with inverters of 5 kilowatts or less can receive the states. Hi i want to install solar with no power Please keep the SolarQuotes blog constructive and useful with these 5 rules: 1. Allows installation but has a zero export limit. I am surprised to hear that Powercor has allowed you to increase your exports, but that is good to hear. 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. And yes 5kW export limit applies May I suggest an extra fact check to polish the valuable story above? 0000039284 00000 n 220 My AS4777.2:2015 profile allows voltages up to 265v (for short periods, and shuts down on 10 minute averages above 258v).
