Single Phase Maximum Inverter Capacity
NS194 Clause -5.3.1 – In accordance with Appendix C2 of AS/NZS4777.1:2024 Appendix, Ausgrid will allow up to 30kVA of total Inverter Capacity (including AC-coupled battery inverters) to be connected to a single phase supply point provided that the premise electrical installation is appropriately rated (e.g switchboard rating, cabling) and the export to the grid is limited to no more than 10kW (note this is above the 5kW specified in AS/NZS4777.1:2024). A design must be provided showing how the export limiting will be configured. This also applies to single phase child metered connections within an embedded network, with the export beyond the child meter not to exceed 10kW.
Impacts to Aggregate >30kVA to 200kVA Inverter Energy Systems Connected to a Network Supply Point
NS194 Clause 5.4.1 – In accordance with AS/NZS4777.1:2024 Ausgrid will adopt the increase to aggregate IES capacity on a single network supply point that does not require interface protection (previously known as Central protection) from >30kVA to 200kVA.
Please note that AS/NZS4777.1:2024 still requires some installations type >30kW to have interface protection (such as inverter power sharing devices).
Sites >30kVA up to 200kVA inverter capacity which choose to export limit to 30kW or less
Applicants now have the option to advise if they will export limit their site to no more than 30kW for a reduced application fee, provided that the site has no more than 200kVA of inverter capacity connection. If you choose to be able to export >30kVA from a site, Ausgrid will need to complete a network capacity assessment for any network supply point that has, or will, have a total IES capacity of more than 30kVA connected. Additional fees will be charged for these proposals.
Inverter Energy Systems >200kVA (Total)
NS194 Annexure C – Ausgrid will require the use of interface protection settings as per AS/NZS4777.1:2024 Table 3.1 in lieu of Annexure C of NS194.
Interface Protection Requirements for Residential Clusters – Including Embedded Networks and Multi-NMI Sites that share a Network Connection
A Residential Cluster refers to a group of residential premises connected to a single network supply point, typically comprising:
- Lifestyle/Retirement villages
- Standalone houses on community title
- Townhouses
- Units, villas, or multi-dwelling units
- Other Residential Embedded Networks
Interface protection is not required for an individual installation within a residential cluster unless specifically required by the DNSP, provided all the following conditions are met:
- The installation is residential and part of a cluster sharing a common Ausgrid Low Voltage supply point
- The installation has independent retail metering or child metering and its own switchboard
- The aggregate inverter capacity, that is behind the independent metering, is no more than 30 kVA
- All inverters behind the independent metering comply with AS/NZS 4777.2:2020
- Upon exceeding 200kVA inverter capacity, export limiting behind the independent meter must be commissioned for all new and upgraded sites connected to a single network supply point. The limit must be set to no more than 10 kW per phase (or an alternate value if required by Ausgrid). Once commissioned, the export limit must have the ability be adjustable down to zero through a software settings change.
Interface protection is required to be provided covering individual installations within a residential cluster where both:
- The aggregated inverter capacity behind the common supply point exceeds 200kVA, and
- The Individual installation aggregate inverter capacity exceeds 30 kVA
or
- Ausgrid specifically requires interface protection
