- Home
- Contractors & installers
- Connect solar, battery, EV
- Technical requirements
Technical requirements
Technical requirements for renewable energy connections
The Basic Micro EG Connection Technical Requirements or Low Voltage EG Connection Technical Requirements specify the minimum technical requirements for customers connecting renewable energy to our networks. You cannot proceed with any installation until you have received approval from Horizon Power in writing.Included in the technical requirements are specifications for energy management - to help maintain the reliability of power supply to all our customers. Larger-sized systems that are energy managed, may require energy smoothing, feed-in management (FIM) or export limits. They will also need a System Impact Study to identify the need for network augmentation - for which a fee applies (for both).
Technical assessments
Renewable energy systems are categorised as follows:
- Basic EG Connection: Single phase, up to and including 10 kVA
- Basic EG Connection: Three phase, up to and including 30 kVA
- LV EG Connection: Over 30 kVA but less than or equal to 200 kVA
- LV EG Connection: Over 200 kVA but less than or equal to 1,000 kVA
These categories are further defined by whether your system is located in a Standard or Non-standard network. Horizon Power currently defines these as:
- Standard networks: Towns located in the North-West Interconnected System (NWIS) which include Karratha, Roebourne, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Cossack and Point Samson.
- Non-standard networks: All other towns located in Horizon Power’s service area
For all applications seeking to install over 1,000 kVA please contact renewables@horizonpower.com.au
| Prosumers | If your intent is to connect a renewable energy system to a Horizon Power network to partially generate your own electricity and potentially export excess electricity to the Horizon Power network, then you are a Prosumer. Prosumers are offered the Renewable Energy Buyback contract or the Renewable Energy Commercial Buyback contract. |
For larger, non-residential systems, the total estimated annual renewable energy generation (kWh) should be no more than 20 per cent above the customers’ total annual consumption (kWh) prior to installing the renewable energy generation. |
| Independent Power Producer | If your intent is to supply the renewable energy generated back to Horizon Power as a power producer, then you are an Independent Power Producer (IPP). A Power Purchase Agreement is negotiated with each IPP. |
If you don't meet the Prosumer rule above, you are deemed to be an Independent Power Producer (IPP). |
Fees and charges
For systems greater than 5kW, there are fees associated with conducting technical assessments to ensure connecting the system won't impact the stability of the network. More information will be provided to you during the application process.
View pricingSchedules, checklists and diagrams
Please complete and attach the relevant schedules to you application, as required for your system size.|
Schedule 1 Proponent Compliance Checklist |
This is a checklist comprising the key elements that need to be satisfied in order to comply. |
Complete the checklist and enter any relevant comments. The checklist must be attached to all applications |
|
Schedule 2 System Diagram |
This is a conceptual diagram that illustrates the functional relationships between key subsystems using solid lines. The Customer’s System Diagram shall be in accordance with Appendix B ‘Connection Arrangement Requirements’ of the Basic Micro EG or Low Voltage EG Connection Technical Requirements. |
A system diagram must be attached to all applications |
|
Schedule 3 Circuit Diagram |
This includes one or more diagrams detailing the electrical connections from the point of connection through to the renewable energy source. The Customer’s Circuit Diagram shall be in accordance with Appendix B and the other requirements of the Technical Requirements. |
A circuit diagram must be attached to all applications |
|
Schedule 4 Cable Data |
This is the data associated with power cables connecting the Customer’s grid connected inverter to Horizon Power’s electricity distribution system. This includes the consumer mains cable. Note that it is the Installer’s responsibility to ensure that voltage rise within the customer’s premises is in accordance with AS/NZS 4777.1 |
Cable data must be attached to all applications. |
|
Schedule 5 System Parameters |
The key parameters that are to be implemented in the system are to be captured in this schedule. This will include information on power quality response modes, protection functions etc. |
The System Parameters schedule must be attached to all applications. |
|
Schedule 6 Registered Professional Engineer (NER or equivalent) sign-off letter |
For all installations that require Generation Management, a registered Professional Engineer shall validate that the design is in accordance with the Connection Technical Requirements and provide supporting documentation. An installer may reuse a NER (or equivalent) declaration for multiple installations providing the installations do not differ with the NER (or equivalent) validated reference design in certain elements. |
A registered Professional Engineer sign-off must be attached to the application for all systems requiring generation management. |
Latest industry updates
We'll keep you updated on any changes to our Technical Requirements, training and information sessions.
| November 2024 |
Smart Connect Solar post-launch reviewWe reviewed and clarified our DER Technical Requirements post the successful rollout of Smart Connect Solar. |
| February 2024 |
Updates to Horizon Power Technical RequirementsWe updated our DER Technical Requirements to remove hosting capacity restraints across most of our networks. To facilitate this change, all new connections will need to be energy managed - with the introduction of Smart Connect Solar. |
| October 2023 |
Inverter configuration updateAll systems must be configured with Australia Region C settings in accordance with AS4777.2:2020.Horizon Power has been made aware of an issue with the connect and reconnect over-frequency setting in AS4777.2:2020 (Section 4.7 in our DER Technical Requirements). For new Basic and LV EG connections, this setting is required to be updated to 50.5Hz to comply with the new Technical Requirements. Horizon Power is working with Standards Australia to have this updated in AS4777.2:2020. However, in the interim, a manual update to this setting is recommended to ensure inverters operating in our service area work correctly. |
Request to connect a renewable energy system to the network
It only takes around 5 to 10 minutes to complete - we'll let you know if there's available capacity along the way.
Stay in touch
Leave your details to get updated on solar releases or find out how to contact us.Contact us Register for updates
Horizon Power acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased people.