There are a number of requirements you must be aware of before installing a solar system. We’ve compiled the information below to assist you before you begin your installation.
Your accreditation
To install a solar power or battery storage system at a customer’s premises in Ausgrid’s network, Ausgrid requires designers and installers to have the appropriate accreditation through Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). You should also obtain any additional training/accreditation from the manufacturer of the equipment to be installed.
If you do not have SAA accreditation but you believe you meet the formal training requirements to complete the work proposed, you can email connections.technical.enquiries@ausgrid.com.au to discuss your situation.
In NSW electrical work can only be performed by persons with a current Electrical License.
Inverter installation
The inverter you are installing as part of a solar or battery storage system will need to meet the following criteria:
- be compliant with AS/NZS 4777.2
- be installed as per the requirements of AS/NZS4777.1
- be configured in accordance with Ausgrid’s requirements for inverters which are set out in NS194 Secondary System Requirements for Embedded Generators, including configuring inverter settings to the AS4777.2-2020 regional setting “Australia A”
- either:
- be of a type approved by the Clean Energy Council or;
- have written approval from Ausgrid to use the make and model of the inverter (please email connections.technical.enquiries@ausgrid.com.au to discuss your CEC unlisted inverter proposal).
Before you purchase any inverter, please confirm that it meets Ausgrid’s requirements as stated in NS194. If an inverter is installed that does not meet our requirements, you may be required (at your cost) to replace it with an inverter that is compliant.
NSW Emergency Backstop Mechanism
In mid-2026, the NSW Government will implement the NSW Emergency Backstop Mechanism. Once these requirements are introduced, solar installers will be responsible for ensuring that all new and upgrading solar systems are ‘backstop enabled’.
This will involve:
- Installing equipment that is compliant with the Australian Standard ‘Common Smart Inverter Profile – Australia’. Technology providers can find a list of compliant inverters and their applicable software communication client/s can be found on the Clean Energy Council website.
- Conducting a short capability test at the time of installation, confirming connectivity to Ausgrid’s utility server via the internet.
- Where a premises lacks reliable internet connectivity, the new equipment must still be CSIP-AUS compliant. However, a low static export limit (to be specified within the connection agreement) must be configured by the installer at the time of installation, which will apply until connectivity is available.
These requirements will not apply to existing rooftop solar systems. Exemptions will also apply to embedded network customers or those seeking a like-for like replacement (e.g. under a manufacturer’s warranty).
Find out more by visiting the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.
NSW Government’s CER Installer Portal
In mid-2026, the NSW Government will launch its Consumer Energy Resources (CER) Installer Portal.
The CER Installer Portal is a digital tool that will make it easier for installers anywhere in NSW to:
- register new or upgraded rooftop solar and/battery systems
- check that installations meet safety and technical standards
- confirm that systems are connected to the local distribution network utility server via the internet
The CER Installer Portal is being designed to reduce duplicate reporting required for the installation of solar. It will integrate with Ausgrid’s connections portal and the Australian Energy Market Operator’s Distributed Energy Resources Register. A NSW Building Commission endorsed Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) can also be completed within the Portal.
Find out more by visiting the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.
AEMO's Distributed Energy Resource Register
Solar and battery installers currently need to enter installation and DER equipment information directly into AEMO’s Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Register within 20 days of DER installation/activation. You can find out more about your obligations as an installer on our Distributed Energy Resources Register.
From mid-2026, solar installers will be required to use the NSW Government’s CER Installer Portal to meet these registration requirements (refer to section ‘NSW Government’s CER Installer Portal’ on this page).
To find out more, visit the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.
Multi-tenanted installations
Common examples of multi-tenanted installations are duplexes, units, villas, some retirement villages, apartment blocks, and small industrial units or any installation that has multiple retail metered installations connected to the distribution network via a single point of connection.
It is important prior to completing a connection application form that you have identified if your premises (NMI) is a part of a multi-tenanted installation
Both multi-tenanted installations consist of multiple tenancies that share a common connection point to Ausgrid’s network. Alterations to the electrical installation of individual tenancies (for example, the addition of solar) can impact the upstream shared/common elements of the installation. Ausgrid needs to complete network planning assessments to ensure that the Ausgrid network will not be adversely impacted by the connection multiple generation sources connected to a single point on the network. As you will also be utilising a common private network, the maintainer/body corporate of the private shared assets should also be consulted to ensure the private shared asset.
Embedded networks
An embedded network is configured to allow the owner of the site to on sell the electricity to the tenant/residents within property. Caravan Parks, some retirement villages, shopping centres and some larger apartment blocks are examples of embedded networks.
With these sites, there is typically only one NMI (parent NMI) which is registered to property owner/management whilst each individual tenant/resident may have their own child NMI. Ausgrid only has visibility of the parent NMI. Hence any connection application for any embedded generation within an embedded network must be submitted with the permission of and on behalf of the embedded network owner/management, and not the resident/tenant of an individual unit (whose roof the solar may be installed on). The connection application must include all existing generation connected under the parent NMI as well as any proposed new embedded generation.
Embedded networks will be exempt from requirements under the NSW Emergency Backstop Mechanism. However, installers will still be required to use the NSW Government’s CER Installer Portal for installations within Embedded networks, once it is introduced in mid-2026.
Understanding solar exports
To support the increasing uptake of solar, regulating bodies and inverter manufacturers have implemented mandatory technical standards to ensure the safety and longevity of solar systems.
AS/NZS 4777.2:2020 – ‘Inverter Requirements’ (mandated by the National Electricity Rules) specifies the electrical safety and performance of inverters which includes features that automatically reduce inverter export in certain conditions to maintain the safety and stability of the grid.
These standard features may impact solar exports in areas where the network has a high uptake of solar causing an oversupply of electricity from the solar panels which impacts the voltage on the local grid. When this occurs, inverters are designed to alter the power they are exporting to the grid so that grid voltage levels can remain within safe limits.
Maximum export capacity
For solar and other embedded generation connections, Ausgrid will approve a maximum export capacity for the connection. This will remain as the ongoing maximum approved export capacity; however, the actual export from your inverter at any given time will vary due to real time local conditions (such as weather and demand for electricity) and self consumption of the solar power by the premises. See Support for an existing solar system.
Safety inspections
It is your responsibility to certify that the work on the embedded generation installation has been done safely and in accordance with the relevant standards. This is done by completing a Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work (CCEW) via the Building Commission Online Portal. within 7 days of completing any electrical safety and compliance test. The NSW CER installer portal will provide an alternative means to submit a CCEW that is endorsed by the Building Commission.
Installation audit and defect notices
Please note: Due to the large number of solar and battery systems being installed, it can take several months for our installation inspectors to visit the premises after the installation has been connected.
Ausgrid may conduct audit inspections of solar and battery installations connected to our network.
If any system is found to be unsafe, we will disconnect it immediately. The installation inspector will leave a notification of disconnection and details of the safety defect at the premises. For more information, see Electrical Installation Defects.
Common installations issues to watch out for:
- Private Installation Voltage Rise Compliance - Private installation voltage rise compliance is an important aspect for the ongoing operation of inverters. The installer should calculate the theoretical voltage rise in accordance with instructions in the NSW service and installation rules and AS/NZS4777.1 which now allows for either the rated current of the inverter, or the limit of generation, or the export limit, or any combination of these to be used. If voltage rise compliance is not met, your installation cabling may need to be upgraded.
- Main Switchboard (MSB) alteration compliance - Your main switchboard may need to be altered to allow the connection of solar/battery. Additionally for larger connections above 100 amps, please note that new or altered switchboards must comply with AS/NZS 61439. Download the Main Switchboard Compliance Statement.
- Location of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) - Please refer to AS/NZS 5139:2019 for appropriate consideration and preparation for BESS locations.
- Interface protection for solar/battery over 200 kW - Once an installation exceeds 200 kW, some additional connection requirements apply. Most significantly, interface protection (previously known as central protection) is required by AS/NZS 4777.1. (Please note that AS/NZS 4777.1 requires Interface protection to be installed on >30 kVA Inverter capacity systems using Inverter Power Sharing Devices.