Getting a solar system installed in West Australia comes with its own specific list of things to keep in mind to make sure you can get approved for the system size you are wanting to install.
In WA, state wide design codes support the positioning of solar PV panels on the roof or other parts of the building without needing any specific approval. However, it is best to check if there are any local provisions that apply to your home specifically.
The weight of the panels and any uplift created by them needs to be considered before the installation date. Most roofs have been designed to carry a minimum temporary loading to allow for people to move around and complete occasional maintenance. Solar PV cells often weigh less than this allowance, but as they are permanent additions, lighter products are necessary to ensure there is no negative impact on the structure of the home. The additional weight may result in changes to the slope of the roof or change the way rainwater runs off.
The fixing of panels varies depending on the system selected and on your roof type like whether it is tin, clay or concrete. If work is required inside the roof it is possible a building permit will be required, however, solar panel installation doesn’t normally require one if your local area isn’t prone to cyclones.
We at Austra Solar aim to help you navigate all of these requirements.
If your application for the approval from the grid with Western Power is for an embedded generation system that meets the following criteria, then in most instances, it will not require a technical review by Western Power before it can be approved:
- The system is a solar photovoltaic (PV) system
- The PV system is on the published Clean Energy Council approved product list
- The total capacity of the inverters at the site is less than (or equal to) 5 kVA
- The property where the system is to be installed is in the Perth metropolitan area (including Fremantle and Mandurah) or in the township of Albany, Bunbury, Geraldton or Kalgoorlie.
- Supply to property after installation of system is within Western Power standard supply.
If your proposed embedded generation system does not meet the above criteria, then further checks are required and the application may require a technical review before being approved. To select an embedded generation system suitable for your individual point of supply please refer to the Western Power’s Network Integration Guidelines and Battery Inverter Energy System Requirements.
During a technical review, Western Power then determines whether the proposed inverter system meets the technical requirements for connection. If it does not, Western Power provides information on alternative options for the customer to consider. These options will help you decide whether to alter your proposed system to suit your point of supply, or to modify your point of supply so that the proposed system can be connected.
Contact Austra Solar today for a free quote and let our solar experts guide you in choosing the right system size for your home.
