Inverter system greater than 150kVA to 999kVA
Who is this for?
You want to connect an embedded generation system (such as solar panels) greater than 150kVA to 999kVA.
How long will it take?
We will contact you within approximately three business days with the invoice. Once proof of payment has been received, we will assign for assessment and provide you with an estimated turnaround time.
How much will it cost?
Enquiry fee - $3,500 plus GST
Application fee - $5,000 plus GST
Network studies fee - this cost may vary depending on the location of the installation and the network complexities.
Application process
Enquiry
1
The enquiry stage involves a high-level feasibility assessment, which usually determines whether there are any network impediments to the generator connecting. If there is sufficient hosting capacity we'll provide you with an application form.
Application
2
Western Power will conduct various studies and prepare Technical Schedules for the generator.
Network studies
3
Assess aspects like network steady-state flow, protection, power quality, and monitoring/control requirements. These studies will indicate whether any network augmentation is required.
Request to commission
4
You'll nominate a 2-week period to complete your commissioning testing.
Request for Approval to Operate
5
Assessment of your commissioning report, updated Technical Schedules and Technical Compliance Report.
Additional information you need to know
- The services of a National Engineering Register (NER) engineer will be required to advise in general on the process to be followed, the system design, and the equipment to use.
- Installation needs to be compliant with the requirements of the Technical Rules, AS/NZS 4777.1, AS/NZS 4777.2, AS/NZS 3000, WASIR, WAER and other relevant Standards and Good Industry Practice.
- Customer needs to provide a copy of the off-take agreement for the requested export capacity. The permitted export shall be the lowest value of the off-take agreement and the value determined by the network impact assessment – the default export limit value is 30% of the total inverter nameplate capacity to manage hosting capacity on the network. Without an off-take agreement, the installation shall be export limited to 5% of the total inverter capacity. This is a soft export limit based on the requirements of AS/NZS 4777.1 and AS/NZS 4777.2.
- Signing of a contract for network studies. Studies assess such aspects as network steady-state flow, protection and power quality. These studies will indicate whether any network augmentation is required.
- If network augmentation is required, there will be additional costs for further assessment.
- If no network augmentation is required, Western Power prepares the Technical Schedules (with customer input).
- Following construction, the customer submits completed the Technical Schedules, a Technical Compliance Report (TCR) and a request to commission. If approved, permission to commission is granted.
- Customer submits the commissioning results, and a request for Approval to Operate.
- The site’s electrical retailer is required to submit an ETAF (Electricity Transfer Application Form) to Western Power and a service request to change the site’s meter to bi-directional (required regardless of whether the generator is exporting or not). These must be completed before an Approval to Operate can be released.
Reminder when filling in the enquiry form:
- Check the box applying on behalf of someone else.
- In the Applicant 1 section, enter the details of the sales/installation/engineering company. This is the company that is applying for the solar system on behalf of the end customer (and who will receive the invoice).
- In the Applicant 2 section, enter the details of the end customer. This is the organisation that will be using the solar system.
Ready to apply?
I've got my site map and single line diagram ready. Estimated time to complete: 10 mins