South Australia solar switch-off in March sets disconcerting precedent

Renew Economy:

New measures giving energy authorities powers to remotely switch off solar panels without householders’ knowledge has set a worrying precedent.

Now state energy ministers are considering adopting a similar rule that would allow behind-the-meter appliances such as hot water systems, air conditioners, electric vehicle chargers and pool pumps to also be switched off.=

South Australia’s rooftop solar cut-off measure was used for the first time on 14 March 2021 affecting around 12,500 households in Adelaide.

When this cut-off occurred, solar households were not compensated, and everyone affected had to purchase electricity from the grid.

As our new IEEFA briefing note describes, it is a radical departure from the operation of the National Electricity Market (NEM) which has until this point not interfered in the running of behind-the-meter solar. 

[Gabrielle Kuiper and Steve Blume]

More: Regulatory over-reach: South Australia’s solar switch-off is a warning to other states