Network congestion is stopping millions of Australians selling their surplus solar power to the electricity grid, but a trial of new technology to unblock the network could deliver a hip-pocket boost to householders across the country.
Export limits are placed on rooftop solar panels at the time of installation, which disadvantages households that had their panels installed most recently – particularly in areas with the highest uptake of panels.Also, most rooftop panels lack technology to regulate supply into the grid and ramp output up or down in response to the network capacity, which reaches peak load in the middle of hot days.
"At present, solar owners who got in early are able to sell their surplus electricity back to the grid without limits, but late adopters are restricted – which is also unfair." The new smart inverters will be installed to regulate power supply according to the network's current load, maximising the volume of power which can be supplied at any given time.
p_hannam micksfoley That is what “gold plating the network” should have always looked like.
micksfoley Alan Moran Regulation Economics: Australia Cost of Renewables 39% of our power bills
micksfoley The person that comes up with a portable solar system for renters will make a mint. Or would be great if solar was mandatory on investment properties