Smart Connect Solar: Help & advice

• What is Smart Connect Solar?

  Smart Connect Solar uses internet connected solar technology that enables us to effectively manage high levels of solar energy on the network, whilst maintaining a safe and reliable power supply for the community.
  
  With more and more rooftop solar installed, we will sometimes need to turn down the amount of electricity Smart Connect solar systems generate in each town. The new technology resolves the technical challenges that currently exist with balancing energy flows across your community.
  
  Learn more about how solar and energy management works

• Why do we need Smart Connect Solar?

  As more and more customers access solar, it's harder to maintain a stable electricity network because they are designed for one way flow of electricity.  Smart Connect Solar means more solar can be connected to the network without impacts to its stability.

• Will hosting capacity limits still apply?

  No, once a town is Smart Connect Solar enabled hosting capacity limits won’t apply. That means more customers can access the benefits of solar, sooner.

• When can I apply for Smart Connect Solar?
  Smart Connect Solar will roll out in phases, beginning in early 2024.
  
  Find out when it’s coming to your town.
• How do I apply for Smart Connect Solar?
  You will need to log in to your My Account and complete the online Solar Ready application. After this application is submitted you will receive a reference number that you will need to provide to your chosen installer.
  
  If you require assistance with My Account registration or completing the online Solar Ready application, please call us on 1800 267 926.
• Will my solar installation cost more?
  Smart Connect Solar requires a small communication device that connects your solar inverter to Horizon Power's energy management system. This is called a Secure Gateway Device (SGD). We will supply and maintain the SGD free of charge. Any costs to install and connect the SGD will be at your installer's discretion.
• Will I still save with a Smart Connect Solar enabled solar system?

  Yes, you’ll still be generating a significant amount of your own solar energy with your Smart Connect Solar enabled system, even though we may need to turn the solar generation down from time to time across the town.

• How much will Smart Connect Solar impact my solar savings?
  This will vary depending on your location, the type of system installed, and local weather conditions. Over a year, you may see up to a 10% reduction in savings - due to energy management.
• Will I need an internet connection to connect with Smart Connect Solar?

  Yes, you’ll need to have a hard wired internet connection for Smart Connect Solar to work. That's because we need to communicate securely with your solar energy system to turn it down from time-to-time.

• If I already have solar, what happens?

  If you already have a solar system, nothing changes. Smart Connect Solar applies to new solar installations only, including applications to upgrade an existing system.

Energy management

• What does energy management mean?
  Energy management is the ability to turn up or down, the amount of electricity a solar system generates. We call this Smart Connect Solar. This allows more rooftop solar to connect to the grid without impacting network stability.
• Are all Smart Connect Solar systems energy managed the same?
  Yes. They are all energy managed at the same levels within each town.
• Is it only excess energy I export back into the grid that will be energy managed?

  Smart Connect Solar will turn down the total amount of solar electricity a solar energy system generates, not just the exported amount. The amount we turn down generation for Smart Connect Solar enabled systems is the same across the town so it's fair and equitable.

• Will excess energy exported to the grid be energy managed?
  Yes. Smart Connect Solar manages your system’s total electricity generation – including solar exports. This means there may be times when your system will export less excess energy back to the grid, reducing the amount of solar rebates you may be eligible for.
• Will I know how much my system has been energy managed?
  Yes. You can view how much you’ve been energy managed each month via My Account.
• Will I be energy managed the same as Horizon Power owned renewable sources?
  No. Smart Connected Solar systems will be energy managed last. Horizon Power assets, like our solar and wind farms will be turned down first - so we can minimise the impact of energy management on customer systems.

Secure Gateway Device (SGD)

• What is a Secure Gateway Device (SGD)?
  The SGD is a small communication device that connects your solar inverter to Horizon Power's energy management system.
• Who pays for the Secure Gateway Device (SGD)?
  We’ll supply and maintain the SGD free of charge.
• What happens when the Secure Gateway Device (SGD) can't access my internet?
  The Secure Gateway Device relies on a hard-wired LAN connection to an internet modem. If the device cannot access the internet, it will go into fail safe mode and your system will stop generating electricity.

Technical

• Which solar inverters are Smart Connect compatible?
  Smart Connect Solar is currently compatible with the inverter make and models listed here.  We’re working with our partners as quickly as possible to include a greater range of compatible makes and models.
• What happens when Smart Connect Solar goes offline?
  To protect the network your solar system will enter a failsafe mode. In this mode, your system may not generate any electricity until it can be safely managed again.
• How do I know my data is secure?
  Keeping your data safe is our priority. Your Smart Connect Solar connects to our Energy Management system via the Secure Gateway Device (SGD). This has embedded cyber security to keep your solar data safe. It can only communicate with your SGD and can’t access other devices connected to the internet such as mobile phones or laptops.
• Will Smart Connect Solar impact my battery system?
  Only if the battery is installed with a hybrid inverter (as opposed to a separate, battery inverter). If this is the case, it may limit the batteries’ ability to export during certain times of the day.
• Will Smart Connect Solar impact electric vehicle (EV) charging?
  No – it won’t affect charging your EV (phew!). To maximise your savings, we recommend charging your EV during the day to take advantage of electricity generated by the sun.
• I have a Feed in Management system installed, what changes for me?
  Feed In Management is an older technology we use to energy manage systems greater than 30kVA. Horizon Power will be transitioning the old devices across to Smart Connect Solar at no additional cost to the customer.

• What happens when the Secure Gateway Device (SGD) can't access my internet?
  The Secure Gateway Device relies on a hard-wired LAN connection to an internet modem. If the device cannot access the internet, it will go into fail safe mode and your system will stop generating electricity.
• What if my Smart Connected Solar system isn’t generating any electricity?
  If you’re experiencing any issues – try these simple steps first:   
  

  1. Check the blue ethernet cable is securely plugged into your modem and you can access the internet.
      
  2. Power cycle the SGD and solar inverter.  
     1. Turn off the external switch to your SGD located near your inverter and  
     2. Power cycle your inverter by following the manufacturer’s guidelines; 
     3. Wait 30 seconds, and then turn them back on.

  In some cases, it may take up to 15 minutes for the SGD to come back online. If the above steps have not resolved the issue, you can contact us.
  
  If your solar inverter is displaying an error code or your system isn't generating electricity, it may be due to an issue with your inverter or solar panels, if that’s the case you will need to contact your installer or a licensed electrician.

• If the Secure Gateway Device (SGD) fails, how long will it take to be fixed or replaced?
  If the troubleshooting steps don’t resolve the issue with your SGD, our Technical Engineers will attempt to resolve the issue remotely within 5 business days. In the unlikely event that the device needs to be replaced, we'll contact you to arrange a suitable time to carry out a replacement within 15 business days from ordering a replacement.