Congratulations, you’ve got your solar panels installed and you’re almost ready to start generating your own energy, let’s look at what you need to do to complete your installation.
- Who is involved?
- Grid connection
- Smart meter installation
- My solar system has been connected, what next?
Who is involved?
Brighte, your solar installer, and electricity retailer/ distributor all work together to get you connected.
Brighte
- Provides the finance for your solar system, and pays the solar installer once the installation has been completed.
- Your repayments to Brighte begin after the vendor has notified us that your solar system has been installed
Solar installer
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Completes the installation of your solar system
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Your solar installer will communicate with your energy retailer or distributor to arrange the connection to the grid and a meter exchange if required
Electricity retailer/distributor
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Electricity distributors own the poles and wires that deliver power to homes and businesses. They take care of the connection to the grid.
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Electricity retailers measure how much electricity you are producing or consuming and send out your energy bill.
Grid connection
Ask your solar installer if they will arrange for your solar system to be connected to the grid, which includes submitting all relevant documentation to your energy retailer. The good news is that most solar retails will complete this step for you.
Documents required:
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Confirmation of grid-connection approval
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Electrical Work Request or equivalent document for your state or territory
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Compliance certificate
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- ACT: Certificate of Electrical Safety
- NSW: Certificate of Compliance for Electrical Work
- NT: Certificate of Compliance
- QLD: Certificate of Testing and Safety, Certificate of Testing and Compliance
- SA: Certificate of Compliance
- TAS: Certificate of Electrical Compliance
- VIC: Certificate of Electrical Safety
- WA: Electrical Safety Certificate
Smart meter installation
Once you have installed solar panels you may need to upgrade to a smart meter, so you can gain benefits from your solar system
About smart meters:
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A smart meter (or advanced meter) is a digital device used to track and manage energy usage.
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A smart meter takes the hassle out of manual meter reads and automatically communicates an accurate reading to your energy supplier whilst providing you information about your solar generation and usage
Who installs the smart meter?
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Your solar installer will need to notify either your distributor or electricity retailer to organise a meter exchange
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If unsure about the process, you can contact your solar installer for more information
When will my new meter be installed?
Your solar installer will submit an application to your energy retailer or distributor on your behalf. Once this request has been made, the estimated installation timeframes according to each state:
NSW, SA, ACT, QLD, TAS
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On an agreed date or no later than 15 business days of receiving the request
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If you are building a new property, the meter must be installed within 6 business days once the property is connected to the grid
VIC
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Smart meters have already been rolled out to all households and businesses in Victoria
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However, if required, the meter must be installed on an agreed date or within 10 business days of receiving the request
WA
- Your solar installer will put in an application with Synergy. Once this has been approved by Synergy, the smart meter will be installed by Western Power within 15 business days
NT
- The smart meter is installed by Power and Water Corporation and takes up to 6-8 weeks
For more information see:
Smart Meters - Australian Energy Regulator
Metering - Australian Energy Market Commission
My solar system has been connected, what next?
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Once your smart meter is installed you will be provided with an app where you will be able to monitor your electricity usage and generation. If you have any other issues around connecting your solar system you can contact your vendor.
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To manage your Brighte account, you can you can log onto the Brighte Portal
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