Solar panel installation in Ballarat and the surrounding areas has never been straightforward. Grid-connected systems often face restrictions, with zero-export limits being quite common. Starting in October, the situation has become even more complex. Solar panel systems must now be connected to the internet and communicate with grid operators, allowing them to shut the system down at will.

The same issue arises if you have a battery connected to the same inverter. When the inverter is shut down, the battery becomes unusable as well. It’s a frustrating scenario—imagine having solar panels with a battery backup on a sunny day in Ballarat, thinking you’re saving money and enjoying unlimited air conditioning, only to find that someone has shut down your system, forcing you to buy power from the grid at peak rates.

The only way to avoid this situation is to install a solar panel and battery system in off-grid mode. Using a transfer switch, your house can automatically reconnect to the grid only if your solar energy system is down. It’s crucial to ensure that the grid is not used for charging the battery and that there’s no interaction between the grid and the solar panel system. This setup works similarly to fully off-grid properties, where a generator directly supplies power and charges the battery. In cases where the grid is available, it should remain entirely separate from the solar system to maintain independence and avoid interference.

Victoria’s emergency backstop mechanism for solar