The information on this page provides an overview of on-site power supply (OPS) services. Visit the AES Regulations for more information about how OPS services are defined under the AES framework.
What is an on-site power supply (OPS)?
An OPS service allows a customer to use all or part of the electricity from an energy system that is installed on their property. The OPS service provider owns the energy system, not the customer.
The customer usually gets electricity from the grid, as well as from the OPS system.
A common example of an OPS service is where a business installs its own solar system on a customer’s rooftop. The customer often does not pay anything upfront for the system. Sometimes, customers pay for the electricity (on a cents per-unit basis). In other cases, customers pay a subscription fee to use or have access to the electricity provided by the solar system.
An OPS service is not:
- When you own a personal solar PV and/or battery system either outright or through a loan from a bank or financial institution that is not a virtual power plant service provider.
- When solar is hosted on your rooftop but it is not connected to your house and you don’t pay to use it.
OPS services often offer cost savings compared to grid electricity supply and an easy way to get an on-site energy system without the upfront costs
Why have regulatory changes been made?
When a customer buys electricity from a licensed retailer they have standard electricity rights. OPS customers don’t have the same rights.
For example, OPS service customers can’t go to the Energy and Water Ombudsman if they have a problem with their OPS service provider.
The WA Government wants to make sure that, where possible, all electricity customers have the same standard electricity rights.
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