Update on 44c FiT rule changes
On 15 February 2018, the Queensland Parliament re-introduced a Bill to change the Electricity Act 1994 (Qld). This Bill provides the industry with clearer rules about adding PV panels, generating systems and/or energy storage devices (such as batteries), to PV systems that already qualify for the 44 cents/kWh Feed-in Tariff (44c FiT) without forfeiting this premium tariff. If the Bill is passed in its current format, 15 February 2018 will be the date that the changes come into effect rather than the previously advised date of 15 June 2017. Therefore, if a customer with a PV system that qualifies for the 44c FiT does any of the following after 15 February 2018, they may forfeit eligibility for the 44c FiT (subject to some transitional provisions described later in this Update):
Array upgrades Until the Bill is passed, if we receive an application for an array upgrade on a 44c FiT-eligible PV system that will create a total array capacity exceeding the rated AC power capacity of the existing inverter/s, our Solar Team will contact the applicant to confirm their intent. The applicant can then choose to:
Remember that under the energy legislation and our connection contracts, you must obtain our consent before making modifications to a generating system (including, but not limited to, increasing array or inverter capacity and changing export limitation settings). This consent can be requested by lodging a network connection application through our Electrical Partners Portal. If a customer entered into a contract to purchase additional panels that take the total array capacity above the inverter capacity before 15 February 2018, those panels can still be installed without forfeiting the 44c FiT if:
Panel replacements We understand that one or more panels in an array may need replacement under warranty. These rule changes have implications for the customer’s 44c FiT eligibility where the array with failed panels is already the same or a higher capacity as the connected inverter(s). We also understand that the existing panel wattage cannot always be matched exactly due to discontinued panel models, leaving only higher-wattage panels available. We have worked with the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy to provide the following guidance:
Battery energy storage systems The changed rules are designed to allow customers on the 44c FiT to install a battery system if they wish, without forfeiting the 44c FiT. However, it is important to note that the system cannot be programmed in such a way that could result in the battery discharging while the PV system is operating or more electricity being exported than would otherwise be possible. Applicants should attach a schematic diagram to any application to add batteries to a 44c FiT-eligible PV system, including a description of the battery charging/discharging mode, demonstrating compliance with these requirements. Applications to add a battery system to a 44c FiT-eligible PV system are being processed on the understanding that the programming will comply with the changed rules. Please note we use automated meter data filters to identify sudden increases in exported electricity volumes. If we investigate and identify a battery system that is not compliant, the 44c FiT will be forfeited. The installer may also be referred to the Clean Energy Council. Additional generating systems The Bill clarifies, rather than changes, the current policy about adding additional generating systems to 44c FiT-eligible PV systems. If any type of generating system is added to the same tariff circuit and operates at the same time as the qualifying PV system (except during a network outage) or is able to export to the grid, eligibility for the 44c FiT will be forfeited. Have you subscribed? If you have been forwarded this update, you can subscribe to our Alert Service to ensure you don’t miss any future issues. Subscribing will ensure you receive every issue. Contact Details 420 Finders St, Townsville, Qld 4810 1300 553 924 (7am - 6.30pm, Mon to Fri) solarteam@ergon.com.au About Solar Industry Update This newsletter will keep you informed about what's happening in the solar industry and any changes to compliance, rulings and legislation. www.ergon.com.au
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More than 50 per cent of Australia’s coal fleet will be over 40 years old by 2030, and the Australian electricity grid – along with these ageing fossil fuelled power stations – are increasingly vulnerable to worsening extreme weather events.
If we are to reach zero carbon pollution well before 2050 in order to effectively tackle climate change, we need to increase our reliance on renewable energy. But did you know Australia could reach 50 per cent renewables by 2030 – without significant new energy storage? The Climate Council’s latest report on renewable energy and battery storage in Australia points out a range of factors that have helped us reach the cusp of a future where energy production is sustainable – and reliable. The Fully Charged: Renewables and Storage Powering Australia report reveals over 20,000 new household lituim-ion batteries – used for renewable energy storage – were installed in 2017. That’s up from 6,750 in the previous year. Over the last eight years, the cost of lithium-ion batteries fell by 80 per cent. By 2025, the cost will halve again. Read the full article here www.businessinsider.com.au/australia-renewable-energy-2018-2 Applying is now easier!
In May 2017, we raised the technical assessment thresholds for connection applications for solar photovoltaic (PV) and other micro embedded generating (EG) units. We’ve now aligned the maximum total inverter capacities (kVA limits) for our Basic Connection Services to match the technical assessment thresholds (see table below). This means many more connection applications will be eligible for a Basic Connection Service, and a quicker application process. For applications for inverter capacity between the old and new kVA limits, e.g. >3.5 and up to 5 kVA export on a single phase on the main grid, you no longer need to sign and return a negotiated connection contract. Instead, you’ll receive an email, typically within three business days, confirming that a connection contract (the Model Standing Offer) has formed and you can arrange for the micro EG unit to be installed. The Electrical Partners Portal will be updated in the New Year to allow expediting of all offers up to the current kVA limits. kVA limits for our Basic Connection Services Network type Number of phases Maximum total inverter capacity(kVA) Maximum permitted export (kVA) Main grid Single phase 10 5 2-phase 20 10 3-phase 30 15 SWER Single phase 10 2 Split phase 20 2 Note: The maximum total inverter capacity and export capability must be spread evenly across all available phases. For more information see Schedule 1 (pages 14-16) of the current Model Standing Offer for Basic Connection Services (Micro EG Units). Clarification on 44c FiT rule changes The Amendment Bill for the 44c Feed-in Tariff (FiT) is on hold due to the State election. Importantly, the Amendment Bill has not been withdrawn, so we are processing applications as we have been in line with the tabled Bill. This means:
Fees apply to applications >30 kW Connection applications for inverter capacities greater than 30 kW must undergo a technical assessment. These assessments are done to provide you with the required specifications such as voltage rise and harmonics if your system will be exporting, and to ensure the installation complies with our technical standards and there will be no adverse impact on our network. Fees apply and are based on the type of pre-connection services required, which is determined by the scale, network-related location, export settings and complexity of the proposed connection. The fees are quoted once an application is received. For more complex projects that may require network augmentation to support the proposed generating system, additional assessments may be required and incur further costs. For more about our pre-connection and connection services for embedded generating systems, see reference items 40, 42–44, 46– 48, 51– 52 and 55, as examples, in the Microsoft Excel version of the Australian Energy Regulator-approved Alternative Control Services price list. Clarifying change to regional Feed-in Tariff limit In Solar Industry Update No.34, we advised that the inverter capacity limit under the regional Feed-in Tariff (FiT) payable by relevant retailers had increased from 5 kW to 30 kW. Some installers mistakenly interpreted this to mean the regional FiT is now only available for inverters between 5 kW and 30 kW. To clarify, the regional FiT is available for total inverter capacities up to 30 kW for qualifying customers. Clarifying 'Single Stage' When submitting a Form A (EWR) for Embedded Generation (Including Solar) 30 kVA or less in our Electrical Partners Portal, there is a requirement in the Metering and Load Details section to define the Vmax setting as either ‘Single-stage’ or ‘Two-stage’. Since the full implementation of AS/NZS 4777.2:2015 on 10 October 2016, a ‘Two-stage’ setting is required on all new inverters and should always be selected on the Form A. The only case where ‘Single-Stage’ should be selected is when the application is to ‘Replace current inverter (no increase in capacity)’ under warranty and that inverter only has a single-stage Vmax setting. Applying for Tesla Powerwall 2 The Tesla Powerwall 2 has been re-rated to 5 kVA and you can now apply to add this combined inverter/battery to an inverter rated up to 5 kVA on a single-phase premises, so that the 10 kVA maximum installed capacity is not exceeded. Note, only the inverter on the PV system can be set to export, and only if that has been approved by us. Have you subscribed? If you have been forwarded this update, you can subscribe to our Alert Service to ensure you don’t miss any future issues. Subscribing will ensure you receive every issue. Contact Details 420 Finders St, Townsville, Qld 4810 1300 553 924 (7am - 6.30pm, Mon to Fri) solarteam@ergon.com.au About Solar Industry Update This newsletter will keep you informed about what's happening in the solar industry and any changes to compliance, rulings and legislation. www.ergon.com.au A meeting of the Coalition party room has agreed to ditch the Clean Energy Target (CET).
Key points:
MPs today signed off on a new plan that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull argues will make power bills cheaper and more reliable while still cutting carbon emissions. That plan replaces the CET with a National Energy Guarantee (NEG), which requires retailers to use a percentage of electricity from so-called dispatchable sources such as coal and gas, batteries or pumped hydro. That would ensure they meet their obligation to deliver reliable power. The decision came after the Cabinet last night agreed to dump the CET recommended by Chief Scientist Alan Finkel. The CET would have seen electricity companies forced to provide a set percentage of their power from low-emissions technology such as renewables and efficient gas. The increased costs of sourcing energy from these types of providers would have been passed on to consumers. The new scheme does not provide subsidies for renewable energy, but does include an energy intensity calculation. What is the NEG? Malcolm Turnbull unveils his shiny new energy policy, complete with its own three-letter acronym. Here's what it all means.This calculation would mean retailers will have to buy power that is efficient enough to ensure Australia is on track to meet its Paris target. Compliance rules for companies that fall short of their obligations have not yet been set, but it is likely they would be able to make up a shortfall the following year. The head of the Government's Energy Security Board, Kerry Schott, explained how this would help in terms of reducing emissions. "The obligation to have a reliable power system is now intimately linked with an emissions reduction target," Dr Schott said. "And if you don't have those two things linked together, you have a danger of an increase in intermittent renewables without having a reliable and dispatchable power to go with it. "And it's very important that you always have dispatchable power where you have intermittent resources." We asked if you thought NEG could reduce power prices while also cutting carbon emissions. Read the comments below. Questions over how much NEG would save consumersIn a video shared to the Prime Minister's public Facebook page, he pitched it as a plan that would deliver "cheaper, more reliable electricity for Australian families and businesses". Unveiling the new policy alongside Mr Turnbull, Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg said: "This is a credible, pro-market policy that delivers lower electricity prices. It means no subsidies, no taxes, no trading systems." The Government said its Energy Security Board estimated a typical household could save between $110 and $115 on average each year for a decade from 2020. The average figure over a decade leaves open the possibility it would be much lower in the early years. PHOTO: A National Energy Guarantee is central to Malcolm Turnbull's new policy. (ABC News: Matt Roberts) Dr Finkel called today's plan "a credible mechanism" and said he was optimistic that power bills would go down as a result. While the Government has not adopted his exact recommendation of a Clean Energy Target, he said there were multiple ways to achieve the same outcome. "What we are looking at is logical," he said. He told reporters that the exact implementation had changed, but not the intent. Look back at the reaction to the Coalition's announcement in our live politics blog Abbott claims win after CET dumpedDuring this morning's party room meeting to discuss the new energy plan, 30 members of the Coalition spoke, including two who expressed opposition to the policy. What is 'base load power'? Base load power is a term we're hearing a lot in discussions about our energy future. But what does it mean, and is it really relevant? One backbencher was pleased about the CET being dropped, but still had concerns about prices. They called for the Government to build its own coal-fired power station. The other, a Nationals MP, expressed concern about the plan maintaining the Paris emissions reduction commitments. Coalition backbenchers including Mr Abbott and Craig Kelly had been publicly critical of the CET before this morning's meeting. A party room source told the ABC that Mr Abbott pushed for a "political debate" after the "policy debate", but was met with silence. The former PM took to Twitter shortly after the meeting to claim "progress" in the energy debate. Tony Abbott ✔@TonyAbbottMHRProgress at today's party room. The Clean Energy Target has been definitively dropped. 11:13 AM - Oct 17, 2017 Twitter Ads info and privacy States weigh in on new planThe new plan would need the support of states and territories before it could come into effect. South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill denounced the plan as a "complete victory for the coal industry". Mr Weatherill accused the Prime Minister of being unable to act in the public interest. The Premier said it was a capitulation to former prime minister Mr Abbott, who supports a new coal-fired power station being built. He said he expected the Federal Government would set the new mechanism at a level that would be too low to be effective and would ensure the only benefit would go to existing coal-fired power stations. Queensland's Energy Minister Mark Bailey demanded the Federal Government explain how this plan would affect his State Government's renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030. "Queensland remains committed to our 50 per cent renewable target," Mr Bailey said. Meanwhile, John Grimes from the Australian Solar Council is threatening to run a multi-million-dollar campaign against the Turnbull Government over the plan. "I will go back and talk to our industry but I think you will find there may well be an appetite to run a very pointed political campaign against this disastrous policy that finishes the job that Tony Abbott set out to achieve," Mr Grimes said. He said ending the subsidies for renewables could cost more than 10,000 jobs in the sector. Topics: electricity-energy-and-utilities, environment, energy, alternative-energy, government-and-politics, australia Power of Choice Reforms
Energex is preparing for the Power of Choice (PoC) Reforms which start on 1 December 2017. The reforms will bring a number of changes for all participants in the market including Electrical Contractors. Power of Choice (PoC) is a national reform to the electricity industry that is designed to increase competition in the electricity supply chain and provide customers with access to more detailed information about their energy usage through the introduction of digital interval metering. Our data shows that you are an electrical contractor in South East Queensland who regularly submits EWRs via our Electrical Partners Portal. As such, we would like to invite you to join Energex’s PoC Electrical Partner Program, a group of electrical service providers or contractors that will receive a direct, monthly update via email of PoC-related information that can then be issued to staff and contractors to help them be ready for the PoC changes. We would ask you to share this information each month with all those within your business who currently, or are likely to undertake work with Energex network. We are committed to helping you, and your contractors, be ready for PoC. We are confident that joining this group will provide the following benefits for you and your staff or contractors:
If you have any questions regarding this please do not hesitate in replying to this email address. EQL Power of Choice Energy Queensland Level 8, 825 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 E EQLPowerofChoice@energex.com.au On Friday 1 September 2017, the Queensland Government announced that, effective immediately, the maximum inverter capacity eligible for the regional Feed-in Tariff (FiT) under the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme would increase from 5 kW to 30 kW. This creates an additional incentive for small- to medium-sized businesses, and residential customers, to install a solar PV system, or increase the capacity of their existing PV system. Regional FiT rate The regional FiT rate is 10.1 cents/kWh for 2017/18, and is reset each year by the Queensland Government based on a rate recommended by the Queensland Competition Authority. As a regional tariff, it is only available to Ergon Energy Retail customers and relevant Origin Energy retail customers serviced by the Essential Energy network in the Goondiwindi area. The regional FiT is funded by the relevant electricity retailers, however they do not set the rate. Our process For existing PV systems with inverters rated up to 5 kW and already eligible for the regional FiT, there is no change to conditions or requirements. For existing PV systems to become eligible for the regional FiT, the system will need to:
As these changes couldn’t be started until 31 August 2017, some eligible PV owners may not see any FiT credits on their electricity bill received in the weeks immediately after 31 August. These cases will be identified and rectified. It’s important to note that the regional FiT eligibility is based on, among other things, the total inverter capacity, not the exporting capacity setting. Therefore, a 40 kW inverter capacity set to only export a maximum of 30 kW will not qualify for the regional FiT. Minimal and partial export systems If customers have existing inverters:
If the minimal-export limitation was based on our assessment, it is unlikely that a higher export level will be allowed, unless the local network has been upgraded in the meantime. If the export limitation was voluntarily implemented, we may offer an increase to the export limit if the technical assessment shows that this won’t adversely affect the operation of the PV system or our network. Changes to the export limitation can only be made once the offer is accepted. A Form A is only required if the inverter has been changed. Do not change partial-export settings If a partial-export system becomes eligible for the regional FiT, an installer must not increase the export limitation level above what has been detailed in our Connection Agreement. If there is a desire to increase the partial export level, a network connection application must be lodged with us. After a technical assessment if relevant, a new offer may be made by us and must be accepted by the applicant before settings can be changed. If we discover, through a Quality of Supply investigation or other means, that export limitation settings have been changed without our written approval, we will work with the customer to identify the installer and may refer that installer to the Clean Energy Council (CEC) for consideration of demerit points under the CEC accreditation scheme. Summary of scenarios and actionsFronius Solar.web - unable to view archive data as of September 1 Dear Fronius customers, due to technical difficulties, Fronius Solar.web is not displaying the inverters' archive data as of 1st September 2017. This has affected both the Fronius Solar.web web browser and mobile app. As a result, you may have noticed that you are able to view your inverter’s instantaneous generation values but unable to view energy production values as of 1st September. Due to the time zone difference between Fronius International (Austria) and Australia we are currently unable to guarantee an exact time frame to resolve this issue. This issue is being treated in the highest priority and we are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience. Regards Fronius Australia / Please do not reply to this email. Sent by email to Driftwind Electrical 04/09/2017 Current enforceable undertakings Suggested Reading
27 July 2017 Corporate Current enforceable undertakings accepted by the Clean Energy Regulator include: Company or individual detailsP & N NSW Pty Ltd (ABN: 145998929) LegislationRenewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 Undertaking date21 July 2017 CircumstancesP & N NSW Pty Ltd improperly created, in contravention of section 24 of the REE Act, 1058 Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs) from 10 installations of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels that were non-compliant. P & N NSW Pty Ltd’s compliance procedures did not identify, at the time of STC creation, that the solar PV panels were non-compliant solar PV panels. Undertaking P & N NSW Pty Ltd undertakes to:
Attachments Enforceable undertaking of P and N NSW Pty Ltd By Giles Parkinson on 9 August 2017 One Step Off The Grid Euro Solar – the biggest seller of solar panels in Australia – has been forced by the Clean Energy Regulator to surrender small-scale technology certificates (STCs) or replace modules after being found to have installed non-compliant solar panels. P & N NSW Pty Ltd, which trades as Euro Solar, was found by the CER to have claimed STCs from non-compliant panels on 10 different rooftop solar installations. In total, this amounted to 1,058 STCs worth around $40,000.
In order to “address its conduct”, the CER says P & N has been asked to validate serial numbers on solar modules for a further 78 installations within 12 months, and for a further 100 installations within 18 months. All the installations have been identified by the CER. If those installations are found to contain non-compliant panels, P & N will have to either replace those panels or surrender STCs if the homeowners don’t consent to the change. The STC bill could amount to $500,000 if none are compliant. The CER says the move against P & N is part of a crackdown on rules in the SRES, which provides up-front rebates for rooftop solar installations. To qualify for STCs, solar panels need to have been approved and validated by the Clean Energy Council. “We are rolling out an innovative compliance program that reaches out into the small-scale technology certificate (STC) creation chain to detect the installation of unapproved panels, which are not eligible for STCs,” the CER says. Euro Solar has taken a leading position in the Australian solar market because of its deep discounts, the scale of which surprises many competitors. “P & N NSW Pty Ltd’s compliance procedures did not identify, at the time of STC creation, that the solar PV panels were non-compliant solar PV panels,” the CER said in its statement. As part of its enforceable undertaking, P & N has committed to validating the other installations and will report to the CER on a monthly basis. It will also fund the Clean Energy Regulator’s testing of four solar PV panels – randomly selected by the CER – held by P & N NSW Pty Ltd to determine whether the panels have the necessary attributes for accreditation or continuing accreditation. The CER says enforceable undertakings can be sought in cases to prevent or address serious non-compliance. “Enforceable undertakings are written statements from a person or organisation that they will do, or refrain from doing, certain things in order to resolve detected contraventions or improve compliance with the legislation,” it says. The intervention from the CER comes amid growing concerns within the industry about the standards and behaviours of some installers, the quality of some merchandise imported – such as solar panels and inverters – and the need for an awareness program for consumers. This is something that we go into in detail in our first Solar Insiders podcast with solar industry veteran Nigel Morris, of monitoring software company Solar Analytics, where we discuss some of the quality control issues in the rooftop solar industry. Morris says the Australian solar industry has been very successful, with more than 1.7 million installations, and nearly 6GW of rooftop solar panels, most of them perfectly fine and performing well. But no other country has installed such a large percentage of “cheap” solar. Why is this? Possibly because of the Australian eye for a discount, possibly because Australians turn over housing stock more quickly than people in Europe or north America. There is even a Facebook page called “Crap Solar” put together by installers appalled at instances of lousy workmanship. This has implications for consumers which are worth noting. The Solar Insiders podcast can be found here. The solar industry has been calling for a crackdown on poor quality installations, and more surveillance of solar panels – almost all of which are imported from overseas – to ensure they are compliant. “The Clean Energy Regulator takes fraud and deliberate non-compliance seriously and takes necessary action to ensure the integrity of the scheme,” the CER said in its statement. “SRES participants who are involved in the installation of unapproved panels will be subject to enforcement action by the Clean Energy Regulator. (SRES is the small-scale renewable energy scheme which governs rooftop solar installations up to 100kW). “We have a broad range of compliance and enforcement options, including suspension of registration and REC Registry accounts, enforceable undertakings and criminal or civil proceedings.” The CER says it has partnered with the solar industry and peak bodies to allow consumers, along with installers and retailers, to use a new Solar Panel Validation Pilot to check the validity of solar panels. Participating manufacturers will provide serial number data that will allow installers, retailers and consumers to validate panels. The CER says STCs created using validated panel data will deliver a higher level of confidence to the Clean Energy Regulator. STCs created without validated data will be examined more closely under our compliance processes and if found to be unapproved subject to enforcement action. This article was originally published on RenewEconomy’s sister site, One Step Off The Grid, which focuses on customer experience with distributed generation. To sign up to One Step’s free weekly newsletter, please click here. Issue 33 - August 2017 Solar Industry Update Explaining the pending changes to the 44c FiT legislation The Queensland Government has introduced an Amendment Bill to Queensland Parliament on 15 June 2017, designed to provide clearer rules to householders receiving the 44c Feed-in Tariff (FiT) on how to retain their tariff when integrating batteries or additional panels with their current 44c-eligilble systems. Whilst this Bill is yet to be passed, it is likely to be debated in Parliament in late August or early September 2017.The Government described these changes in their recent media release as an important step towards bringing the laws up to date with evolving technologies that are now available to homeowners, such as battery systems, which were not a consideration when the Solar Bonus Scheme was introduced. The Amendment Bill and the associated Explanatory Notes can be found on the Queensland Government website. The following information is designed to help you understand the implications of the planned legislation changes since 15 June 2017. The information provided assumes that you have read the Explanatory Notes. Array upgrades If an array upgrade on a 44c-eligible system occurs on or after 15 June 2017 and results in the total array capacity exceeding the total inverter capacity, the 44c FiT will be forfeited. The only exemption to this is if a sales contract between the customer and the PV retailer/installer was dated before 15 June 2017 and a copy of that sales contract can be provided to the distributor upon request. Currently, if our Solar Team receives an application for an array upgrade on a 44c-eligible PV system that will take the total array capacity above the total inverter capacity, they will attempt to phone the customer or the PV retailer. If they are unable to make contact, they will send an email. They will advise the customer or applicant that the 44c FiT is likely to be forfeited if the installation proceeds. If the installation proceeds, or has already occurred, the 44c FiT is maintained and the case is flagged for review once the Bill is passed. The 44c FiT will then likely be removed after review. If the inverter capacity is no greater than 5 kVA, the system is likely to qualify for the regional FiT. If one or more panels of an array require replacement and the proposed new array capacity is greater than the inverter capacity, then installers should ensure the total array capacity doesn’t exceed the original array capacity. This is irrespective of whether or not the replacement is under warranty. Batteries and additional generators One intent of the legislation changes is to clarify that customers on the 44c FiT can install a battery and retain eligibility for that FiT, if they wish. However, customers cannot use a battery or a second generating unit on the same electrical installation, i.e. same tariff, as the 44c-qualifying PV system to increase the volume of export beyond a level otherwise possible. The battery or second generating unit must be programmed to only discharge into the premises at night or during a grid outage. The battery system must have a grid-isolation link. There must be no overlap of PV generation and battery discharge. More details will be provided once the legislation changes are finalised. Monitoring compliance Ergon, and Energex, apply complex algorithms to metering data to identify changes in both export and consumption levels that indicate unapproved changes to PV systems. We also access aerial imagery when necessary to calculate the approximate array capacity installed. If we suspect an unapproved capacity increase, we will investigate, where relevant remove the 44c FiT and seek to identify the installer involved. Don't install without a connection offer Despite our ongoing education and some financially painful consequences, a small number of installers still occasionally install PV systems before the applicant has received our connection offer, and entered into a connection contract. Even if the connection contract is ultimately entered into, installation without approval is still a breach of the legislation and the installer may be referred to the Clean Energy Council. But in an increasing number of cases, we are unable to make an offer for the proposed system. In a worst-case scenario, in some of Ergon’s 33 isolated communities, we have had to instruct customers and their installers to disconnect the systems from the network, with no prospect of the customers being able to have their system connected to the network in the foreseeable future. We urge all installers to protect themselves by requesting from the applicant or customer written evidence that a connection contract has been established, before they commence the installation. Working safely with asbestos We recently published advice in our Relay newsletter for electrical contractors dated 19 July 2017, that we’ve created a new asbestos page with information and documentation relating to working with asbestos on our electricity network. Everyone who works on our assets is requested to read the document titled Asbestos Related Work or Removal Management Guide – For Network. This guide provides a set of minimum requirements and expectations for work that involves, or is likely to involve, the disturbance of asbestos. For PV installers, that’s relevant to working on meterboards containing asbestos. Also, we recommend you subscribe to our Alert Service and select ‘Asbestos’ and we’ll email you when there are any new or updated documents. We’re working hard to provide and maintain a safe and healthy work environment for our employees, contractors and members of the public. If you have any queries about asbestos please email asbestos@ergon.com.au Have you subscribed? If you have been forwarded this alert, you can subscribe to our Alert Service to ensure you don’t miss any future issues. Contact Details 420 Finders St, Townsville, Qld 4810 1300 553 924 (7am - 6.30pm, Mon to Fri) solarteam@ergon.com.au About Solar Industry Update This newsletter will keep you informed about what's happening in the solar industry and any changes to compliance, rulings and legislation. www.ergon.com.au |
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