What Your Electrician Should Tell You About Your Solar Power Installation
For many, the switch to solar power can be an exciting time in their lives. Essentially, installing solar panels is the beginning of a movement to an autonomous, ecologically-friendly and safe power provision and use. However, this process will require more than just setting up your panels and adjacent equipment. Your electrician will have to assist you in filing the necessary paperwork to become a registered Australian solar owner. You will need to enter into a binding agreement with your solar electrician, energy provider, and Energex (if you live in Queensland). Here's everything you will need to know for a smooth collaboration.
You Will First Need To Submit A Connect Application
You will need to connect to Energex's network before the official installation date. Any solar power with export capacity will require permission from Energex to operate. To submit your Network Connection Application, you will need to download the forms listed by the Queensland Government website and follow the instructions.
This process can be relatively time-consuming and confusing to most homeowners; therefore, electricians versed in solar power installations frequently offer the filing service as an add-on. A solar power system of a size below 5kW will be granted immediate operating permission. The systems above 5kW will be assessed, and have their application either rejected or approved within five business days.
Getting Your New Meter Set Up Requires An EWR Reference Number
After your Network Connection Application has been approved, you will still need to apply for further permissions. You will have to submit an Electrical Work Request, to attest to your adherence to Australian Power Standards. Should you elect to keep your grid connection, your EWR application will provide you with your Feed-in Tariff.
Upon receipt of your EWR number, you can contact your electrician or contractor and ask them to get into contact with your chosen energy retailer. Your electrician will then submit the required forms, which will allow them to provide you with your new meter. Generally, this last process will take up to 10 working days. Once your final application is processed, your energy provider will send a technician to perform the installation at their fee. You can then immediately begin to monitor your kilowatt-hours.
A Concluding Note
The solar power installation process goes far beyond the setting up of equipment. You will have to follow the strict guidelines emplaced by the Australian government to ensure you can legally use the system. If you're uncertain of how to go about these bureaucratic processes, you may want to contract the complementary services of an electrician, to facilitate your whole installation process.