Choosing rooftop solar for your premises

Many people are now generating their own electricity using customer energy resources like solar panels, battery storage, electric vehicles and small generators. These resources can also export electricity to Essential Energy’s distribution network.

Your solar retailer or installer must obtain approval from Essential Energy before installing your system.

Maximising the value of your solar investment

Solar power systems turn sunlight into electricity using solar panels and an inverter. They can help you save on electricity bills, reduce environmental impact and generate renewable energy. Using as much of the solar energy you generate as possible will maximise the value of your investment in solar and reduce the need to buy energy from the grid.

Before buying a solar system, check with your solar retailer to make sure it meets Australian Standards and understand all costs, export limits and feed-in tariffs. For more details on the benefits of solar and considerations for installation, read the Clean Energy Council’s guide to buying solar.

Accredited solar installers and small-scale technology certificates

The person who designs or installs your small generation system must be accredited under the Solar Accreditation Scheme to be eligible for small-scale technology certificates which can help reduce the upfront cost of your system.

Accreditation ensures your installer is appropriately trained, has the skills to perform the work and is up to date with Standards and Regulations. You can find out more on the Solar Accreditation Australia website.

Roles and responsibilities when going solar

You may need to work with several parties to purchase, install and connect your new system. Here is an overview of who does what:

Energy retailers:

• Provide competitive energy offers and agreements
• Set-up energy rates for import, export and time of use
• Bill customers for their energy and apply any rebates
• Arrange installation of smart metering.

Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA) Accredited Installers:

• Design systems, including customised generation systems
• Install systems (and must have an electrician’s licence).

Electrical contractors:

• Complete general wiring and installation work but do not perform any works to connect the installation to the distribution network.

Level 2 Accredited Service Provider (ASP):

• Connect systems to the electricity distribution network.

Essential Energy:

• Receive and assess connection applications, approving the new and upgraded solar systems to be connected to our electricity network
• Perform connection inspections and system audits
• Collects data readings for the National Electricity Market (NEM).

The installation, connection and metering of your small generation system must comply with:

• NSW Service and Installation Rules
• AS3000 Australian/New Zealand Wiring Rules
• National Electricity Rules.

Find an approved solar retailer

You can search the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC) approved sellers list to find details of trusted providers of solar, battery storage, EV chargers and more in your local area.

NETCC is governed by peak industry and consumer bodies, administered by the Clean Energy Council and reviewed by industry and consumer experts. Approved sellers meet high consumer protection standards, ensuring you get reliable and safe new energy technology.

Find an accredited installer

You can check whether your installer is accredited on the Solar Accreditation Australia website.

NSW Government Department of Climate and Energy Action provide lists of qualified Accredited Service Providers, including Level 2 ASPs for new connections from existing mains to your property.

Under the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 (NSW) it is your responsibility to ensure your small generation system is kept in a safe and serviceable state. Servicing and maintenance of your small generation system must be carried out by an appropriately qualified person, generally this would be a Solar Accreditation Australia approved installer.

What can be connected to Essential Energy’s network

Subject to approval, any small generation or energy storage device that meets Australian Standards (AS4777 Grid Connection of Energy System via Inverters) can be permanently connected to the national electricity network, including Essential Energy’s distribution network. Frequency and voltage ranges are then applied to ensure a safe, reliable supply based on Network Capacity considerations.

How to connect solar, small generators and battery storage

To connect to Essential Energy’s distribution network, a connection application needs to be submitted via Essential Connections and approved by Essential Energy before the solar or battery storage systems can be installed.

Before you commit to purchasing or upgrading a small generator or storage device, it is important to understand all costs associated with system installation, including system costs, metering costs and if applicable, any network upgrade requirements.

Visit our Getting started with your connection page for an overview of the application process for new and altered connections, including for solar and battery storage.

Contact your retailer regarding metering requirements and a Level 2 ASP if any network upgrades are required. If your system is approved by Essential Energy, you will need to work with your retailer to arrange the installation of your system and any required metering.

Obtaining a copy of your connection application and contract

The person who submits your connection application on your behalf (usually a solar retailer or installer) will provide your contact details in the application. They can advise you on the status of your application at any time by logging in to the Essential Connections portal.

The person who applies for your connection will receive the connection contract via email and/or SMS. You can request a copy from your solar retailer or installer.

Once Essential Energy has assessed your application, we will issue a Connection Contract Confirmation which includes the appropriate Model Standing Offer and a Schedule of Site-Specific Conditions.

If you would like to find out the status of your application or you have not been able to get a copy from your retailer, contact Essential Energy on 132391 (option 2).

Customer rights and obligations for connections

View a summary of your rights and obligations concerning connection of your solar, small generator or battery storage devices.

Why export limits are needed

Our electricity network was originally designed for electricity to flow one way to homes and businesses. Rooftop solar and batteries now allow electricity to flow back into the network too.

Export limits help manage these two-way flows, keeping the network stable and reliable. They help prevent voltage problems and network overloading that can cause outages or damage equipment.

Fixed export limits

A fixed export limit is a cap on how much excess electricity your solar system can send back to the grid if your panels produce more energy than you can use. Essential Energy will offer you an export limit based on the details provided in your connection application and the local network capacity.

Embedded generation systems (including solar photovoltaic or PV) in Essential Energy’s network area generally have a fixed export limit of 5kW for single phase systems and three-phase systems. In some areas, a lower limit may apply.

Your approved export limit

To obtain an export limit, your solar retailer or installer will typically submit a connection application on your behalf.

The approved export limit for your system can be found in your Connection Contract under the Schedule of Site-Specific Conditions. An application can be made for a higher limit, which will be assessed based on the local network capacity.

Upgrading to a larger system or changing an existing system

Changes to an existing system have similar requirements to installing a new system. Your nominated installer or Level 2 ASP will be able to provide you with advice depending on the changes you’re planning to make.

Before you change your system size, you will need to:

1. Engage an installer to visit your premises and recommend a suitably sized system then receive an estimate inclusive of all costs.
2. Ensure a new Application for Connection to increase your system size has been submitted on your behalf to Essential Energy via the Essential Connections portal, then check you have received approval and a Connection Contract.
3. Contact an energy retailer regarding metering arrangements.
4. Speak to a retailer and make sure you understand what changes will occur to your existing energy rates.
5. Document all costs, charges and changes associated with your system change.

How flexible export limits work

Flexible export limits adjust throughout the day to match local network capacity, allowing more solar energy into the grid and supporting a more affordable renewable energy supply.

You can choose from two ranges: 1.5 – 5kW or 1.5 – 10kW per phase. Use the lower range if voltage rise calculations show exports above 5kW per phase cannot be supported. The approved limit cannot exceed the inverter’s maximum export capacity.

Download the flexible export limits fact sheet

Who is eligible for a flexible export limit

From November 2026, flexible export limits will be available for all new and upgraded backstop-enabled solar systems up to 200kW in NSW.

How existing solar systems can access flexible export limits

Ask your solar retailer or installer to check whether your system supports flexible exports and what upgrades may be needed. Your system must use supported equipment, have reliable internet and be backstop-enabled.

Your solar retailer or installer will need to:

• Submit a new connection application through Essential Connections, nominating a software communications client (SCC) and selecting flexible export limits.
• Arrange for your installer to register, test and commission the system using the NSW CER Installer Portal.

Small scale solar connections

Below is a summary of the connection application process. More detail can be found on the Getting started with your connection page.

Before carrying out installation work, solar installers and electrical contractors should refer to CEOP2499 Customer Installation Guidelines for Essential Energy’s customer installation requirements.

Connection application process

1. Submit an Application for Connection through Essential Connections, attaching an accurate Voltage Rise Calculation and Single Line Diagram. Include the customer’s phone number and email address if applying on their behalf. Incomplete or inaccurate applications will be declined.
2. Obtain the Connection Contract before starting installation. Essential Energy will issue it once the application is approved. It includes the relevant Model Standing Offer and any site-specific conditions. Approval is required before the system can be installed or connected to Essential Energy’s network.
3. Review the conditions in the Connection Contract, including export limits and provide a copy to the connecting customer.
4. If equipment details change before installation, submit a Pre-installation Device Update through Essential Connections.
   For guidance, refer to the How to Complete a Pre-Installation Device Update for Embedded Generation knowledge article on our Support page.
   Note: If the system cannot be installed according to the Single Line Diagram, submit a new Application for Connection with revised documents for reassessment by Essential Energy before proceeding.
5. Contact the electricity retailer to arrange installation of the smart meter.
6. Install the system according to the approved Connection Contract and apply the approved export limit.
7. Use the CER Installer Portal to claim the job then register, test and commission the system. This includes updating the DER Register and submitting your completed Certificate of Compliance Electrical Work (CCEW).

See our ‘Connections Matrix’ article to check what forms need to be submitted.

Application process for multi-occupant sites (e.g. town houses, caravan parks)

In a multi-occupant site, there are quite often numerous solar systems connected to a private network. All systems supplied from the same connection point are to be included in the Single Line Diagram and the Voltage Rise Calculation. Applications must indicate multiple National Meter Identifiers (NMIs) on site.

Putting solar on a separate premises to the metered premises

Solar must be installed on the premises assigned to that NMI.

Responsibility for compliance

It is the installer’s responsibility to install the system in accordance with the approved Connection Contract and the Schedule of Site-Specific Conditions. If a non-conformance is found, details will be issued to the installer and the connecting customer.

Standards for inverters - CSIP-AUS compliant inverters and systems (AS/NZS 4777.2)

Solar inverters must comply with Australian Standards such as AS/NZS 4777.2 for safety and performance, and with the Common Smart Inverter Profile – Australia (CSIP-AUS) for communication with electricity distribution networks.

Since February 2025, it is mandatory for all low voltage inverters to be compliant to AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 and installed in compliance with AS/NZS 4777.1:2024. It is important to check with your system provider to confirm the option you select meets current Australian Standards before committing to your purchase.

You can find a list of CSIP-AUS compliant inverters on the Clean Energy Council website.

Compliance with the Connection Contract

Essential Energy monitors the distribution network for compliance. If a non-compliant installation is identified, the system may be disconnected until the non-conformance is rectified.

Inspections

Essential Energy may choose to inspect your system. In certain circumstances, systems energised and connected to our distribution network may be deemed unsafe if they do not comply with the NSW Service and Installation Rules, Australian Standards and Essential Energy’s requirements. This may result in disconnection from Essential Energy’s distribution network.

If power quality issues are identified that may be associated with solar, small generator or battery storage installations, further investigation will be carried out.

For further information about the connection process call us on 132391.

Voltage rise calculations

As per the NSW Service and Installation Rules, any system greater than 3kW in a rural area or 5kW in an urban area must have a compliant Voltage Rise Calculation attached with the Application for Connection. The Voltage Rise Calculation needs to include all generating systems installed at the site and connected to the same connection point.

Export limits are informed by the Voltage Rise Calculations supplied by the installer. Export limits are essential to ensure a safe and reliable network is maintained and should not be exceeded.

Technical notes for installers

• Generators connected to the network via a delta/star transformer with the delta on the network side may have their neutral directly connected to earth (i.e. via a Multiple Earthed Neutral or MEN link). Effective isolation of this neutral may be required to inhibit the flow of harmonics through the neutral and the generator’s method to limit harmonics must be discussed and agreed to by Essential Energy. The use of 4-pole switching may be required if the generator can operate in standby mode.
• Solar installations above 100kW using multiple inverters will generally require an upstream circuit breaker with appropriate protection (including anti-islanding) to ‘back-up’ the individual inverter protection.
• All multiple inverter installations must have a single point of isolation at their connection (aggregation) point.
• For ‘non-inverter’ generation systems i.e. synchronous and induction machines, a protection report prepared by a protection engineer, including a maintenance plan if battery storage is incorporated will be required.
• The power factor of the customer’s installation must meet the minimum requirement of 0.9 lagging to unity as required under the Service and Installation Rules of NSW. For inverter-based systems Essential Energy may require the inverters to be set to leading power factor in some situation.

For solar and battery installations, specific metering requirements need to be met so that solar generation and consumption can be accurately tracked.

Contact your electricity retailer to find out what type of meter you need and any costs associated before you purchase solar or battery storage.