• search icon
mobile search

Mobile search

Search

Active search icon

Maintaining solar

This page is for you if you already have solar panels on your roof.

Maybe you’ve moved into a new house with solar panels, just had some installed, or are thinking about upgrading your system? Whatever your situation, we are here to help. 


Solar responsibilities

As the owner of a renewable energy system (e.g. solar or battery) connected to our network, it is your responsibility to ensure that it is operating in accordance with safety requirements.

Download our brochure ‘solar responsibilities’ to find out more. 

Quick Actions

Additional information



  • Solar responsibilities

    What you need to do

    Regular maintenance of your system is important to ensure that it is: 

    1. operating correctly and efficiently; and 
    2. safe for your home or business and won’t endanger anyone working on the power lines e.g. our crews and emergency services.
    Maintenance should be undertaken by a licensed electrician or accredited solar panel system installer. Keep a record of this work, including the date and person completing it for future reference.

    Under Victoria’s Electricity Distribution Code, the following obligations apply to you as the owner of the system:

    • Ensure that your system complies with Victoria’s Electricity Distribution Code, the Electricity Safety Act 1998 and all relevant Australian Standards. Further information on these obligations can be found at the Essential Services Commission’s Website. 
    • Ensure that your system is regularly maintained in a safe condition. Further information relating to maintenance can be found at the Clean Energy Regulators Website. 
      •  

    Anti-islanding testing

    This is an important safety test outlined in the Australian Standards (AS 4777). If network power is lost, your inverter should shut off in order to stop the flow of electricity to the grid so crews can safely repair the fault.

    The ‘anti-islanding’ test should be performed annually to ensure your inverter operates correctly in the event of a network power outage. The test can be conducted by a licenced electrician or Clean Energy Council-accredited solar panel system installer, unless you have been trained by a professional such as your solar installer, and are confident to undertake the test yourself. 

    Avoid being disconnected

    If your system no longer complies with the Electricity Distribution Code, Australian Standards, or is in breach of the Electricity Safety Act or other safety regulations, then it will need to be taken off the network. Once the issue has been rectified, we will approve you to reconnect your system safely. 

    You can read more about your obligations under Victoria’s Electricity Distribution Code (section 7) at the Essential Services Commission’s website.

     

  • Understanding your bills

    Check your bills

    An electricity bill is a bundle of different charges (tariffs) that cover the various steps involved in generating, transporting and selling electricity. Network tariffs are what we charge for transporting electricity through our network and delivering it, via our meter, to you.

    When you install solar panels connected to our grid, you are transferred to a new network tariff. This is our Solar Time of Use (TOU) tariff which also includes a feed-in-credit. Lights and power are billed at peak rates from 3pm to 9pm Monday to Sunday which is generally when solar can offset your bill the most and off-peak all other times. As solar customers are active participants in the grid, this tariff enables them to manage their energy use accordingly.

    Solar feed-in tariffs are payments to solar owners for feeding excess electricity, not consumed in their home, back into the grid.


    myHomeEnergy

    You can find out more about your energy consumption by creating a free account on our myHomeEnergy portal. This will allow you to monitor and assess your energy consumption.

     
     

  • Upgrading or making changes?

    What to do

    If you want to upgrade or make some changes, you’ll need to go through the same process as installing a brand new system.

    Some possible upgrades could include:

    • Adding a battery to your solar system.
    • Increasing the number of panels on your roof or adding another inverter.
    • Replacing the existing system if it’s getting old.

    Any changes must be approved by us before they can go ahead.

    We recommend finding a Clean Energy Council (CEC) accredited installer or solar retailer that you trust for some advice.

    Go to the CEC website to find a solar retailer or installer.



     

    Who's who

    Solar Retailer

    These are the companies that can help you design your new system. They often sell you the whole package - consultation, design, panels and installation.


    Installer

    Installers to do the physical work. Sometimes they are employed by retailers, other times they work directly with their own customers to design and install a solar system.


    Electricity Retailer

    The company that bills you directly for using electricity and gas. They are your first point-of-call for any information around using electricity or feeding it back into the grid.

  • Having issues?

    Has your inverter switched off?

    When there are many people generating their own energy and feeding it back in to the grid, it can cause the voltages on the network to rise. This can start to cause problems for your appliances.


    Your inverter connected to your solar panels is designed to switch the solar system off when the voltages go above a certain level. This is for the safety of the network and your home.


    If this happens:
    First check that your inverter is working properly with your installer. For voltage issues please call 131799 (24/7) and we may need to send out a trained AusNet Services representative to assess your issue.


    Problems with your solar system?

    We recommend contacting your initial solar system installer or another solar installation company to help you fix the issues.