VoltLogic achieves compliance with new utility standard

Queensland’s utility companies, Energex and Ergon Energy, have worked together with the solar PV industry to develop a new Inverter Energy Systems (IES) connection standard, in response to oversupply issues that have arisen for utilities, installers and customers in recent years.

The IES standard, said to be the first of its kind in Australia, will come into effect on 1 July 2014.

The standard is expected to set a benchmark for protecting the network against power spikes and oversupply, placing strict restrictions on the amount of power that can be exported per unit.

To comply, solar systems using other inverters will need a protective relay, or ‘switch’, to limit power exported to the network.

Renewable Energy Solutions Australia’s VoltLogic Solar system has already achieved compliance with the standard. VoltLogic is an all-in-one, grid-connect inverter solution that can limit power exported to the grid from solar systems. The device’s zero export functionality means that no additional devices are required.

Michael LeMessurier, principal commercial manager of RESA, said with incentives for exporting virtually disappearing across the country, VoltLogic enables customers to choose the size of the solar systems they install on their roofs - without restrictions from utilities.

“More and more cases are arising where customers are looking to install solar, and only when they put the application in are these systems being knocked back to nothing,” Michael said.

“In some cases, customers want to install a 15 kW system but can only get approval for 1 kW. VoltLogic can enable the 15 kW to be installed and ensure no power goes onto the grid to keep the customer and the networks happy,” he said.

VoltLogic is a Queensland innovation, owned and manufactured in Australia with local support. It is available in 5, 10 and 15 kW units.