The residents have been so satisfied with Solargain’s assistance that we are now working with them on a project that will potentially replace their existing solar hot water systems.
The interesting point about this installation is that it is the first legally installed sub-metered retirement village in Perth.
Prior to the installation of this system many sub-metered retirement villages had solar installed in ways that were non compliant and in breach of Western Power’s rules. Due to the way sub metering sites are wired there is normally only one connection point to the grid. Therefore solar PV systems installed individually on sub metered units are considered collectively when connected to the grid at the one point of connection.
The 197 units at RAAFA Erskine Grove are each connected to their own sub meter. However as the village had only one Western Power meter (attached to the grid). Western Power looked at the systems as a collective whole.
Although the installation comprises 197 units with 1.5kW solar PV on each unit Western Power deem the size of the installation as 299kW. As a result Solargain was required to engage the services of an experienced electrical engineer to assist in creating a compliant system design that would control and manage all 197 units.
Even though this was the first time that this had been conducted the system design, grid connection approval and installation were all completed on time and within budget.
The residents have been so satisfied with Solargain’s assistance that we are now working with them on a project that will potentially replace their existing solar hot water systems.
The systems installed comprise 8 x 190W Hanwha panels and 1 x 1.5kW Macsolar inverter.
