What is the Solar Emergency Backstop?
The solar emergency backstop is a mechanism that allows electricity distribution businesses like AusNet to remotely turn down or switch off rooftop solar systems during an energy supply emergency. This is only used as a last resort to avoid widespread power outages. This change has been mandated by the Victorian government.
Why is it important?
On some mild, sunny days, Victorian households create and export more energy than the grid can use. Sometimes this causes an unstable electricity supply, which in extreme situations, can lead to outages. We want more households to install solar.
The solar emergency backstop device will safely manage the amount of solar being exported to the grid in extreme situations. This allows more customers to connect their solar and also supports our renewable energy future.
When will the emergency backstop be used?
The Australian Electricity Market Operator (AEMO) constantly monitors the electricity grid and predicts when too much energy is going to be generated. They then tell us when to activate the emergency backstop, and for how long. The emergency backstop will only be used in rare cases, when solar exports are too high to be safely managed.
This intervention will help to avoid blackouts, ensuring a safe and continuous electricity supply for Victorians.
What does this mean for solar customers?
From 1 October 2024, your new or upgraded solar system must have an AusNet approved inverter. You’ll also need a reliable internet connection, preferably Ethernet. Your installer will help you with this.
What does this mean for installers and manufacturers?
Installers:
From 1 October 2024, you’ll need to install an AusNet approved Common Smart Inverter Profile Australia (CSIP-Aus) inverter and connect the system to the customer’s internet, preferably ethernet. We'll keep our approved inverter list updated as we test and add more approved inverters.
We’ll give you more information closer to 1 October, so you can confidently install the device on new and upgraded solar systems. From 1 October, we’ll also have a dedicated support desk to help you through the new process.
Solar applications approved before 1 October 2024 don’t need to be backstop enabled.
Manufacturers:
CSIP-Aus approved devices need to be tested by AusNet in order to be approved for installation on our network. Manufacturers should continue working with us so we can test and approve all CSIP-Aus certified inverters.
We'll keep our approved inverter list updated as we test and add more approved inverters. If you would like to add your inverter to this list, please email us immediately to arrange for Software Communications Client testing: solarbackstop@ausnetservices.com.au.
New way of communicating with AusNet
On 1 October we’re excited to launch our new connections portal and our new Installer Support Desk. Our dedicated help desk for industry will operate Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
