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.

• 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.
• Where can I find my NMI?
  Your installer will need your NMI to commission your Smart Connect Solar system. You can find your NMI on your electricity bill, or by logging in to My Account, selecting More, and then Self Service.
  
  
• 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.

  + Learn more about energy management

   

• 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 solar and battery energy assets managed the same?

  No.

  • 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.
  • Customer systems that are smart connected- will be energy managed the same amount in the town, so it's fair.
• Is it only excess energy I export back into the network that will be energy managed?

  When energy management is needed, smart connected solar systems will have the amount of solar energy generated reduced. This applies to both the energy used and the exported amount.

  This amount is the same across all smart connected systems in the town, so it's fair.

  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.

• 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 by logging into My Account.

  Navigate to the Usage section and select 'Insights' and open the section 'Monthly summary':
  
  

  

• 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 and battery assets to Horizon Power's energy management system.

• Who pays for the Secure Gateway Device (SGD)?

  The SGD is free of charge - supplied and managed by Horizon Power.

• What happens when the Secure Gateway Device (SGD) can't access my internet?

  The SGD relies on a hard-wired connection to an internet modem. If the device can't access the internet, it will go into fail safe mode and your system will stop generating electricity.

  + Read our troubleshooting guide to help get your system back online

Technical

• Which solar inverters are Smart Connect compatible?

  To join Community Wave, your solar and battery assets must be smart connect compatible:

  • View compatible solar inverters
  • View comptible battery storage systems 

  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 solar and battery assets connect 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 SGD relies on a hard-wired connection to an internet modem. If the device can't access the internet, it will go into fail safe mode and your system will stop generating electricity.

  + Read our troubleshooting guide to help get your system back online

• How do I know if my Secure Gateway Device (SGD) is offline?

  If the SGD is offline your system will go into fail safe mode and your solar system will stop generating electricity. You can check if the system is generating electricity by:

  1. checking the digital readout display on the inverter; or 
  2. your solar system's manufacturers app if you have access to this.
• 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.