‘Backwards’: South West solar installers facing closure after newly implemented rules from Western Power

South West solar installers are being run out of business because of red tape from Western Power which they say encourages “greenhouse gas intense” energy sources. In February this year, Western Power introduced a new regulation instructing any upgrading of switchboards, including newly installed household solar systems, are required to install a main switch circuit breaker. Sustainable Energy Now special advisor Ian Porter said while it may not sound like a big deal, it was a “serious problem”, given the limited regional household power allocation of 32 amps compared with the metro household allocation of 63 amps. “Thirty-two amps simply isn’t sufficient for the average household,” he said. “When multiple appliances are used simultaneously such as cooking, air-conditioning and say, dishwasher, such normal householder behaviour will draw well over 32 amps . . . that’s all it’ll take to trip the connection out.” Mr Porter said the while Western Power has the right idea, they are going about it backwards. “If someone put up a solar system, it reduces the load on the network during the which is desirable,” he said. “On an energy basis through the year the load on the distribution network is reduced because of solar coming in.” “But what they are basically saying now is that they’ll give you the benefit of producing more of your own power but are going to stop you bringing in more when you need it the most, because of this new circuit-breaker. A local SW installer, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the regulations have resulted in severe business decline, losing $70,000 worth of work in just one week. “There’s a two fold thing here, there’s the moral obligation to not destroy people’s lives and then there’s also the purely selfish business model is that if I sell someone a solar system, and the next week, they can’t use their electrical appliances at their house, they’re going to blame us and give us a bad rep,” they said. “The worst part of this is that it leaves the door open, and in fact, it encourages the activity of unscrupulous operators.” A Western Power spokesperson said the changes were in line with the “evolving renewable energy market” and is working to find a resolution to the impacts caused. “These updates are needed to support and facilitate the growth of renewable energy and distributed energy resources — such as rooftop solar, battery storage, electric vehicles and electric vehicle chargers,” they said. “Western Power plans the network to accommodate customer energy needs, in line with its obligations under legislation and standards such as the Western Australian Services and Installations Requirements. “Western Power is aware of concerns raised by the electrical industry on the adequacy of the standard rural supply allocation as customer energy needs change. “In response, it is assessing the opportunities, risks, and consequences of alternative options, and will update stakeholders by the end of the year.”