In the past month, the Queensland government announced that in 2023, all new (or upgraded) solar systems with a total inverter capacity of 10kW and above will be required to have an “Emergency Backstop” device installed. The device allows Ergon/Energex to turn off solar systems in an emergency, to prevent damage to the network. This will add a small extra cost to a solar installation and also mean that the systems may be turned off when/if Ergon sees the need.
Why?
The purpose of the backstop (AKA a Generation Signalling Device (GSD)) is to help protect the grid. It’s pretty much a protective mechanism that Ergon and Energex can use to turn off your solar system to prevent the grid from crashing. The Queensland Government states that will only be used in an 'energy emergency situation to reduce the risk of state-wide power outages'.
As a lot of homes in Queensland already have solar (which is fantastic!), it has reduced the demand for electricity from the grid, particularly in the middle of the day. This is awesome news for carbon emissions and customer’s wallets, but it also puts pressure on the energy providers (Ergon & Energex) to balance supply & demand. The emergency backstop mechanism has been introduced as a direct response to this to keep the grid secure.
'To reduce this risk, and allow more solar to be safely connected to the network, a new emergency measure has been established that can be used as a last resort, after all other actions have been taken, to keep our power supply secure' – Ergon/Energex
Who does it affect?
It applies to new and replacement (including upgrades) rooftop solar and battery systems with a total inverter capacity of 10kW and above.
The good news is that it won’t affect the majority of small residential solar systems. Most homes in town have single-phase supply and opt for a system with a 5kW inverter. If your electricity bills are less than around $700-$800 a quarter, you don’t really need to worry. The new backstop mechanism will only apply to higher energy users such as commercial premises, large families, rural properties and homes with pools/spas/EVs/welders etc. On that note, if you’re unsure about what size solar system you need, click here.
At the moment, the Emergency Backstop Mechanism only applies to Ergon & Energex services areas in Queensland, Australia. If you don’t live in an area serviced by Ergon or Energex, you may not need to have an emergency backstop device installed – check with your local electricity supplier/retailer. You also don’t need to install a GSD if the inverter is only connected to a battery, like in off-grid systems.
Refer to the table below for information regarding when a GSD is required.
Total inverter capacity | Condition | Required to install GSD | Notes |
Under 10 kW | Pre-existing system | No | |
Under 10 kW | New system | No | Initial connection |
Under 10 kW | Inverter replacement | No | No increase of supply and not a warranty replacement. |
Under 10 kW | Inverter replacement (warranty) | No | No increase in supply |
10 kW and above | Pre-existing system | No | |
10 kW and above | New system | Yes | Initial connection. |
10 kW and above | Inverter replacement | Yes | No increase of supply and not a warranty replacement. |
10 kW and above | System upgrade | Yes | Increasing inverter capacity |
10 kW and above | Inverter replacement (warranty) | No | No increase in supply |
How does it work?
From 6 February 2023, all new (or changes to) solar installs with a total inverter capacity of 10kW and above, will need to have a Generation Signalling Device (GSD) installed.
The GSD sends signals over the power lines, known as Audio Frequency Load Control (AFLC).
In an emergency, Ergon/Energex sends a signal to the disconnection device in the inverter which will turn the inverter completely off.
When the emergency is over, a signal is sent to the inverter to reconnect to the network.
You will not be notified that it’s been turned off unless you request to receive a post-event notification from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
At Electrical Sensations, we are proud to have been servicing Toowoomba and the Darling Downs since 2004. We are 100% committed to designing energy-saving solutions and installing high-quality equipment that will best meet your needs, in a manner that we are proud to put our name to. No cutting corners or compromising on quality, reliability or safety.
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