Power of Choice Reforms
Energex is preparing for the Power of Choice (PoC) Reforms which start on 1 December 2017. The reforms will bring a number of changes for all participants in the market including Electrical Contractors. Power of Choice (PoC) is a national reform to the electricity industry that is designed to increase competition in the electricity supply chain and provide customers with access to more detailed information about their energy usage through the introduction of digital interval metering. Our data shows that you are an electrical contractor in South East Queensland who regularly submits EWRs via our Electrical Partners Portal. As such, we would like to invite you to join Energex’s PoC Electrical Partner Program, a group of electrical service providers or contractors that will receive a direct, monthly update via email of PoC-related information that can then be issued to staff and contractors to help them be ready for the PoC changes. We would ask you to share this information each month with all those within your business who currently, or are likely to undertake work with Energex network. We are committed to helping you, and your contractors, be ready for PoC. We are confident that joining this group will provide the following benefits for you and your staff or contractors:
If you have any questions regarding this please do not hesitate in replying to this email address. EQL Power of Choice Energy Queensland Level 8, 825 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006 E [email protected]
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On Friday 1 September 2017, the Queensland Government announced that, effective immediately, the maximum inverter capacity eligible for the regional Feed-in Tariff (FiT) under the Queensland Solar Bonus Scheme would increase from 5 kW to 30 kW. This creates an additional incentive for small- to medium-sized businesses, and residential customers, to install a solar PV system, or increase the capacity of their existing PV system. Regional FiT rate The regional FiT rate is 10.1 cents/kWh for 2017/18, and is reset each year by the Queensland Government based on a rate recommended by the Queensland Competition Authority. As a regional tariff, it is only available to Ergon Energy Retail customers and relevant Origin Energy retail customers serviced by the Essential Energy network in the Goondiwindi area. The regional FiT is funded by the relevant electricity retailers, however they do not set the rate. Our process For existing PV systems with inverters rated up to 5 kW and already eligible for the regional FiT, there is no change to conditions or requirements. For existing PV systems to become eligible for the regional FiT, the system will need to:
As these changes couldn’t be started until 31 August 2017, some eligible PV owners may not see any FiT credits on their electricity bill received in the weeks immediately after 31 August. These cases will be identified and rectified. It’s important to note that the regional FiT eligibility is based on, among other things, the total inverter capacity, not the exporting capacity setting. Therefore, a 40 kW inverter capacity set to only export a maximum of 30 kW will not qualify for the regional FiT. Minimal and partial export systems If customers have existing inverters:
If the minimal-export limitation was based on our assessment, it is unlikely that a higher export level will be allowed, unless the local network has been upgraded in the meantime. If the export limitation was voluntarily implemented, we may offer an increase to the export limit if the technical assessment shows that this won’t adversely affect the operation of the PV system or our network. Changes to the export limitation can only be made once the offer is accepted. A Form A is only required if the inverter has been changed. Do not change partial-export settings If a partial-export system becomes eligible for the regional FiT, an installer must not increase the export limitation level above what has been detailed in our Connection Agreement. If there is a desire to increase the partial export level, a network connection application must be lodged with us. After a technical assessment if relevant, a new offer may be made by us and must be accepted by the applicant before settings can be changed. If we discover, through a Quality of Supply investigation or other means, that export limitation settings have been changed without our written approval, we will work with the customer to identify the installer and may refer that installer to the Clean Energy Council (CEC) for consideration of demerit points under the CEC accreditation scheme. Summary of scenarios and actionsFronius Solar.web - unable to view archive data as of September 1 Dear Fronius customers, due to technical difficulties, Fronius Solar.web is not displaying the inverters' archive data as of 1st September 2017. This has affected both the Fronius Solar.web web browser and mobile app. As a result, you may have noticed that you are able to view your inverter’s instantaneous generation values but unable to view energy production values as of 1st September. Due to the time zone difference between Fronius International (Austria) and Australia we are currently unable to guarantee an exact time frame to resolve this issue. This issue is being treated in the highest priority and we are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and appreciate your patience. Regards Fronius Australia / Please do not reply to this email. Sent by email to Driftwind Electrical 04/09/2017 |
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