May 2025
Are your installations compliant?
Under the Electricity Act 1996 (Q LD), when a person is connecting something, such as a solar photovoltaic (PV) system to the distribution network, they must comply with the technical conditions for the connection.
As the person connecting the customer’s solar PV generating system to the distribution network, solar installers must ensure that the conditions in the connection contract, including compliance with the technical standards, are complied with. This includes compliance with the Emergency Backstop mechanism for emergency control of the network. Failure to comply may result in a penalty and the customer's installation being disconnected.
Compliance with relevant conditions helps to ensure that the network continues to operate in a secure manner, keeping the lights on for everyone.
We are focusing on our compliance incentives including working with Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA), improved training and awareness, and initiating non-compliance processes.
Please note we are actively following up instances of non-compliance directly with customers and installers.
For further information, please refer to:
- QECM version 4 web page
- STNW1170 (PDF 669.7 kb) and STNW1174 (PDF 2.0 mb) for fixed connections
- STNW3510 (PDF 654.5 kb) and STNW3511 (PDF 2.1 mb) for dynamic connections
- Our Emergency Backstop mechanism web page
Keep informed about what's happening in the industry and any changes to the installation process, compliance, rulings and legislation.