Energy distributors limiting homeowners right to solar  

A report in the Herald Sun today highlights the red tape regulations preventing solar customers from installing large solar panel arrays or upgrade their existing system.

More often than not customers will hit a physical limit on their rooftops, sometimes on smaller roofs filling the available space with solar panels is still not enough to maximise their savings potential. If you’re lucky enough to have a large roof that faces north (or west), isn’t shaded by trees, chimneys, powerpoles or nearby buildings – there’s still a regulatory roadblock to the size of the solar power system that can be installed.

Peter Slattery, owner of Terindah Estate winery in Bellarine, wanted to expand his existing solar system to include a further 40 panels but was denied permission from his electricity distributor.

“I don’t understand them not encouraging solar where there’s plenty of roof space available,” said Slattery. Savings from his additional solar panels would have cut his overheads and allowed him to employ more staff.

Distributor Powercor points the finger at the Victorian Electricity Distribution Code that restricts electricity consumers from generating as much renewable energy as possible in order to “prevent voltage variability into the grid as a result of distributed generation”.

Although solar power generation is largely predictable (solar panels only generate electricity during the middle of the day) and is largely consumed on the premises where it is created, the argument that solar creates a massive disruption to the grid is a little hard to swallow.

Here’s a look at Victoria’s electricity consumption throughout the January heatwave. A new record for electricity production would have been set were it not for the contribution from solar panels. It’s also clear that even during a massive spike in electricity consumption and prefect conditions for solar generation the percentage of solar is miniscule.

Solar Sunwerx has helped thousands of customers with the electricity usage through complimentary energy audits, and are experts at sizing a solar system that offers the best return on investment for their customers while dealing within the restrictions of the electricity distributors. Hopefully those willing and able to install larger solar arrays will soon be able to.

Victorian Greens leader Greg Barber said his party intends to target solar voters ahead of the next election, hopefully bringing votes to the party outside their usual power block in Melbourne’s inner suburbs.

“Nobody has worked out yet how to capture the solar vote and it is a sleeping giant in Australian politics,” said Mr Barber.