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Connect solar, battery or other renewables

Everything you need to know  if you're an installer or electrical contractor applying to connect a renewable energy system in regional WA.

Apply to connect a renewable energy system to the network

With over 38 unique energy systems to manage, network stability is vital to delivering safe and reliable power across all communities. That's why our engineers need to assess all Distributed Energy Renewable (DER) system connections before installation - to ensure they comply with our Technical Requirements.

Rooftop solar

New or existing behind-the-meter systems - from 1KW to 1MW and everything in between.

Battery systems

When combined with a new solar system or added to an existing connection. 

Large scale renewables

If you're planning on connecting something else like a solar or wind farm, our engineers will help determine the appropriate specifications. 

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.

Apply now

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. 

Please be mindful that even when you feel you have complied with all the technical requirements, there is no guarantee that your application will be approved. For example, an application may not be accepted due to local network constraints, something you have no control over. 

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 requirements
  • Technical assessment - Applications and fees

    Technical assessments

    Renewable energy systems are categorised as follows:

    • Basic Micro EG Connection: Single phase, up to and including 10 kVA
    • Basic Micro 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 pricing
  • Schedules - Checklists and diagrams to attach to your application

    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.

    Basic Micro EG Customer Compliance Checklist

    LV EG Customer Compliance Checklist

    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.

    View a sample diagram

    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.

    View a sample diagram

    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

    View sample data

    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.

    Basic Micro EG System Parameters

    LV EG System Parameters

    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.

    The National Engineering Register provides a directory of Chartered Professional Engineers.

    To avoid any conflict of interest, Chartered Professional Engineers in the employ of Horizon Power are unable to provide NER sign-off letters.

    A registered Professional Engineer sign-off must be attached to the application for all systems requiring generation management.
  • Most common reasons for not approving a connection request
    1. Ambiguity in the information supplied on the application
    2. Inverter not on the CEC approved list
    3. The voltage rise is too high
    4. Local distribution transformer limits have been exceeded
    5. There is a phase imbalance (greater than 2.5 kVA)
    6. Generation management details have not been included in the application
    7. Horizon Power system renewable energy limits reached

Upcoming releases

19 September 2023 - 9am AWST

  Residential hosting capacity Business hosting capacity

Esperance 

 250 kW 250 kw


Previous releases

5 September 2023 - 9am AWST

  Residential hosting capacity Business hosting capacity

Exmouth

 362.5 kW 362.5 kw

 

16 May 2023 - 9am AWST

  Residential hosting capacity Business hosting capacity

Marble Bar

 50kW 50kw

Get notified of upcoming solar capacity releases

The good news is we're planning to remove hosting capacity restraints across most of our networks starting at the end of this year.

Register for updates

Households and businesses may be eligible to sell their excess solar power back to us. Their eligibility depends on a range of factors including solar system size, electricity tariff and location.

Our buyback schemes include:

 

  • Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS)

    DEBS is the most common buyback scheme, available to residential customers or an educational, charitable or not-for-profit organisation with a small renewable energy system (such as solar) up to 5kW.

    ​Town

    Before 3pm​

    Between 3pm and 9pm​

    Ardyaloon​

    16.80 cents/kWh​

    55.99 cents/kWh​

    Beagle Bay​

    16.80 cents/kWh​

    55.99 cents/kWh​

    Bidyadanga​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Broome​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Carnarvon​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Coral Bay​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Cue​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Denham​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Derby​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Djarindjin/Lombadina​

    16.80 cents/kWh​

    55.99 cents/kWh​

    Esperance​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Exmouth​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Fitzroy Crossing​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Gascoyne Junction​

    16.80 cents/kWh​

    55.99 cents/kWh​

    Halls Creek​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Hopetoun​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Kalumburu​

    16.80 cents/kWh​

    55.99 cents/kWh​

    Karratha​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Kununurra​

    3.0 cents/kWh ​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Lake Argyle​

    3.0 cents/kWh ​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Laverton​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Leonora​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Looma/Camballin​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Marble Bar​

    16.80 cents/kWh​

    55.99 cents/kWh​

    Meekatharra​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Menzies​

    16.80 cents/kWh​

    55.99 cents/kWh​

    Mount Magnet​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Norseman​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Nullagine​

    16.80 cents/kWh​

    55.99 cents/kWh​

    Onslow​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Port Hedland​

    3.0 cents/kWh​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Sandstone​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Warmun​

    16.80 cents/kWh​

    55.99 cents/kWh​

    Wiluna​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Wyndham​

    3.0 cents/kWh ​

    10.0 cents/kWh​

    Yalgoo​

    11.33 cents/kWh​

    37.76 cents/kWh​

    Yungngora​

    16.80 cents/kWh​

    55.99 cents/kWh​

     

  • Horizon Power Commercial Buyback Scheme (COBS)

    If the system installed is greater than 5kW and your customer lives in a town where the cost of electricity generation is high - they may be eligible for COBS. They'll need to meet special conditions and apply to be considered for this scheme.

  • Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (REBS)

    Some residential customers or educational, charitable or not-for-profit organisations with systems under 5kW still receive REBS. REBS is a buyback product which has been superceded by DEBS and is no longer available for new applications.

    ​Town

    Anytime rate​

    Ardyaloon​

    42.71 cents/kWh​

    Beagle Bay​

    44.64 cents/kWh​

    Bidyadanga​

    34.11 cents/kWh​

    Broome​

    7.14 cents/kWh​

    Carnarvon​

    10.56 cents/kWh​

    Coral Bay​

    19.75 cents/kWh​

    Cue​

    26.75 cents/kWh​

    Denham​

    27.93 cents/kWh​

    Derby​

    7.14 cents/kWh​

    Djarindjin/Lombadina​

    46.3 cents/kWh​

    Esperance​

    10.29 cents/kWh​

    Exmouth​

    7.14 cents/kWh​

    Fitzroy Crossing​

    7.19 cents/kWh​

    Gascoyne Junction​

    46.59 cents/kWh​

    Halls Creek​

    7.65 cents/kWh​

    Hopetoun​

    34.30 cents/kWh​

    Kalumburu​

    50.55 cents/kWh​

    Karratha​

    7.68 cents/kWh​

    Kununurra​

    10.33 cents/kWh​

    Lake Argyle

    10.33 cents/kWh

    Laverton​

    32.82 cents/kWh​

    Leonora​

    14.18 cents/kWh​

    Looma/Camballin​

    29.11 cents/kWh​

    Marble Bar​

    48.05 cents/kWh​

    Meekatharra​

    26.42 cents/kWh​

    Menzies​

    51.41 cents/kWh​

    Mount Magnet​

    21.20 cents/kWh​

    Norseman​

    26.33 cents/kWh​

    Nullagine​

    41.86 cents/kWh​

    Onslow​

    18.79 cents/kWh​

    Port Hedland​

    7.68 cents/kWh​

    Sandstone​

    27.64 cents/kWh​

    Warmun​

    39.76 cents/kWh​

    Wiluna​

    28.41 cents/kWh​

    Wyndham​

    10.33 cents/kWh​

    Yalgoo​

    28.76 cents/kWh​

    Yungngora​

    39.47 cents/kWh​

     

Stay up to date on solar releases, products & trials

Are you a:

100 kW of solar capacity has been released in Marble Bar

50 kW has been allocated for households and 50 kW allocated for businesses.

Apply to connect now

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.