From 1 May 2026, connection rules will change for new or upgraded systems on the state’s southwest grid (SWIS). The changes simplify connection and device functionality requirements for new or upgraded solar and battery systems up to 30 kVA (most residential systems are 5 kVA). This will improve functionality for systems and minimise network risks from larger systems participating in future export products.
The updated requirements support customers connecting more rooftop solar and batteries. They also give customers the choice to more actively participate in the power system by exporting energy to the grid. To do this, the requirements build on existing capability for devices to be remotely disconnected and reconnected to support the grid in emergencies.
Customers will always have a choice
If you would prefer not to participate in export products, or if your site is unable to maintain a stable internet connection, then you will not be required to comply with new communications requirements. Instead, your system will still be able to export up to a standard 1.5 kW limit, and the personal use of your solar or battery system will not be affected in any way.
Customers with solar and battery systems installed or upgraded before 1 May 2026 will not be impacted by these changes.
The requirements are intended to promote customer choice. By ensuring that all systems meet the same minimum functionality regardless of make or model, customers will be able to opt-in and opt-out for new products as they wish.
How will the changes be implemented?
The changes will apply to sites with new or upgraded devices with a total capacity less than 30 kVA. Electricity retailers will be responsible for ensure the site complies as part of approval, installation and commissioning.
Almost all residential customers (i.e. those using less than 50 MWh each year) have Synergy as their electricity retailer. Synergy will be updating its connection requirements and information for installers to reflect the changes. Importantly, Synergy will use the Common Smart Inverter Profile – Australia (CSIP-AUS) standard to communicate with customer’s solar and battery systems. CSIP-AUS is an open-source communications protocol that has been developed in partnership with other states and territories. The WA Government supports the use of CSIP-AUS to reduce costs for equipment manufacturers and ensure the rollout of this capability is standardised across Australia.
Other electricity retailers are free to adopt different solutions. Installers will need to work with each electricity retailer to comply with their preferred solution.
Why are changes needed?
Solar and battery systems are helping Western Australians lower their energy bills and reduce emissions. Rooftop solar now provides more than half of the renewable electricity in the southwest grid. However, as more systems are installed, these technologies create challenges for keeping the power system stable. Large amounts of unmanaged solar in one area can put too much strain on local poles and wires, which may damage equipment and cause outages. Solar output also changes quickly with the weather, and without proper management this can increase the cost and complexity of running the power system.
The new rules make sure Western Australians can continue to install and benefit from solar and batteries. These changes will let people install larger systems while managing the associated risks through clear minimum technical requirements.
All new or upgraded systems will need to be communications-capable if they wish to participate in flexible exports or VPPs. Synergy will enable communications capability for its customers through CSIP-AUS. This standardised approach will allow customers to easily sign up for new products if they choose, as well as ensure that their devices can be managed when needed in cases of a power system emergency.
We heard you
The changes were made following public consultation and implementation of new rules. As a result, we have delayed the start of the changes from 1 February 2026 to 1 May 2026. We also made other changes to simplify wording for inverter capacity limits, and to allow for more consultation on a third-party aggregator framework.
Frequently asked questions
View a range of frequently asked questions below.
What will the changes mean for installing a new solar or battery system?
Show moreCurrently, most new solar and battery systems sold in Western Australia have communications capability. The changes will standardise requirements for systems up to 30kVA.
Electricity retailers will be responsible for implementing the requirements – please talk to your retailer about your specific circumstances. Synergy is the only electricity retailer for most residential customers.
I am a Synergy customer – what can I expect?
Show moreFor Synergy customers, installers will be required to follow Synergy’s functionality requirements and installer connection handbook. These documents will be updated to reflect the changes and are expected to include a requirement that installation will be CSIP-AUS compliant. Its Supported Solutions List will be reviewed to list all solar and battery systems which are able to meet this requirement. Customers and installers should use the Supported Solutions List to verify that their make and model of choice complies with Synergy’s requirements.
At installation, installers will register new solar or battery systems with Synergy’s CSIP-AUS platform. Like what currently happens, solar and battery systems will be internet-connected (either through the customer’s Wi-Fi or a gateway device) to establish a communications pathway for emergency disconnect and reconnect instructions.
What will the changes mean for upgrades to my solar or battery system?
Show moreUpgrades to existing systems will be captured by these new requirements and therefore must be capable of being remotely disconnected and reconnected.
For Synergy customers, upgraded systems will also use CSIP-AUS. In most cases, installers will enable CSIP-AUS through an inverter’s ‘solar cloud’ app.
For the small number of systems that do not support the standard or cannot be updated, installers will use gateways to enable CSIP-AUS during the upgrade. Gateways are useful for complex or less common installs, such as sites with a second inverter that does not match an existing inverter. Gateways are also dual purpose – many allow older systems to use CSIP-AUS and act as energy management systems, which is useful for customers trying to optimise their solar to coordinate with other appliances, like hot water or pool pumps.
We have published a fact sheet with more information on some of the options available to customers adding a battery to legacy systems under the WA residential battery scheme. This information also applies for customers upgrading systems under the updated rules.
What do the changes mean for my current solar or battery system?
Show moreThere will be no changes for customers with existing solar or battery systems installed before 1 May 2026. Synergy will transition systems from its current emergency solar management platform to a new, basic version of CSIP-AUS that provides the same functionality. Everything else will stay the same.
Who will be responsible for making sure my solar or battery system complies with the new requirements?
Show moreInstallers will continue to be responsible for properly installing or upgrading solar and battery systems. Once installed, system owners should make sure that equipment maintains the minimum functionality needed for systems to perform as expected. Often this will be a simple fix, like restoring the system’s connection to your Wi-Fi router.
Customers will not be penalised if the retailer is unable to communicate with their solar and battery system.
Show moreWhere communications are lost, devices will default to a lower static export limit. Once communications are restored, flexible export capability will automatically apply again, subject to the relevant product or operating arrangements.
Electricity retailers can monitor dynamic/flexible systems and may communicate to homeowners and businesses to let them know their systems have lost connectivity for an extended period.
I have an inverter bigger than 5 kVA and installed a battery under the WA residential battery scheme. Would I need to upgrade again to increase the 1.5 kW export limit?
Show moreNo. Systems installed under the WA residential battery scheme already have the capability to meet these new requirements.
These systems can easily opt in to flexible exports when Synergy makes these products available in the future.
Could I upgrade my current solar export arrangement?
Show moreYes. Customers with existing systems may want to sign up to a flexible export product. Depending on what equipment is available, installers will be required to bring sites up to the level of functionality needed for customers to opt in to these arrangements.
Existing sites that already meet the minimum requirements will be able to sign up to a flexible export or VPP products when they are made available. For Synergy customers, this will simply mean using CSIP-AUS to enrol systems onto a flexible export or VPP platform.
Customers who are unsure what type of system they have or whether their system is eligible should speak to their installer.
I have a large residential property or business and plan to install or upgrade a solar system bigger than 30 kVA. Does this affect me?
Show moreNo. The proposed changes do not affect customers installing solar or battery system larger than 30 kVA. The installation of these systems is subject to existing requirements and approval processes with Western Power.
I plan to install solar on a workshop that is far away from my internet router. Will this prevent me from installing solar altogether?
Show moreNo. A small number of customers struggle to maintain remote connect/disconnect functionality in the current connection rules, because of physical site constraints like distance or poor telecommunications in their area.
The changes fully retain the option for customers to choose a fixed 1.5 kW export limit instead of maintaining ongoing device functionality.
Will I need to pay to upgrade my system if the inverter is being replaced under warranty?
Show moreNo. Inverters replaced with a similar or exact replacement under warranty will not be required to meet the requirements.
What will happen to systems already approved before the rules change?
Show moreTo make the changes as simple as possible for customers and installers, requirements will apply based on date that work is performed – existing rules will apply for any work performed until 30 April 2026. The new requirements will apply to systems installed on or after 1 May 2026.
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