Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery storage options can be a valued source of renewable energy for your home or business. It’s important to make sure your system is safely connected to our network, and you also know what to do following extreme weather.
Before you install solar, you will need to make sure your installer has approval from us before they begin work. Ask them to provide you with a copy of the Evoenergy approval letter. This ensures our network can support your system and keeps your home, neighbourhood and our network safe.
Solar during a power outage
For your safety, your solar system will automatically cut out during a power outage. This mechanism is called ‘anti-islanding’ and protects our crews while they restore power.
If you have a battery installed, it may be able to provide part or all of your premises with a backup electricity supply during an outage. To do this safely it must first disconnect from the Evoenergy network. These systems are generally not set up as an uninterruptible power supply system (UPS), and there may be a brief outage when the system disconnects from, and then later reconnects to our network. Not all battery systems can offer this, so make sure you discuss your options with your battery installer.
Even in an outage, or if your inverter is switched off, you should always treat your system as live.
Maintenance and servicing
You are required to have your inverter tested at least once every five years. This test is performed by an electrician to check it is still safely connected to our network. We will send you a reminder when this testing is due.
- Inverter anti-islanding test declaration
- Periodic inverter testing procedure
- Periodic inverter testing information
We also recommend more regular servicing and getting your solar panels cleaned if you notice a dust build up. Only use a licensed person to do this, never attempt to maintain or clean solar panels yourself.
Extreme weather
During a fire or flood, you should try to shut off your solar system prior to the event if safe to do so. If any part of your system is wet or underwater, do not attempt to touch it and keep your distance.
If your system has been damaged during a weather event you should contact a licensed electrician or your installer immediately to assess the damage, make repairs and certify it safe before you can go near it again.
General safety tips
- Never pour cold water on solar panels when the sun is shining – this can shatter the glass.
- Never walk or lean on the surface of solar panels.
- Never cover the inverter cooling fins
- Periodically check the display on your inverter or online generation data to check it is working as expected
- Always ensure any modifications, such as an inverter replacement, is approved by us and you receive a copy of our approval letter from your installer