Update on working together to implement emergency backstop

We understand solar industry concerns with the implementation of new emergency backstop and appreciate continued input received from industry representatives in relation to their experiences working with the mechanism.

Published:
Friday 14 February 2025 at 10:48 am
Solar installers installing a solar panel to the roof

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Solar Victoria and members of its Industry and Consumer Reference Group (ICRG) are working through implementation issues with a view to finding workable resolutions as soon as possible.

The ICRG, including at its most recent meeting on 13 February 2025, is continuing to provide a focus on the emergency backstop. In addition, DEECA has now established a dedicated Emergency Backstop Reference Group to explore solutions and address these concerns.

The reference group, which brings together distribution networks, industry representatives and Government, has been established to ensure the emergency backstop:

  • is able to operate effectively as a critical system secruity mechanism
  • will enable greater distributed energy resources
  • addresses concerns raised by industry and customers.

Purpose of the reference group

The reference group has been formed with the purpose of:

  • Harnessing the commercial and technical experience and expertise of members to identify issues and resolve them for the successful implementation of Victoria’s emergency backstop mechanism, and to ensure it is operating effectively - including improving outcomes for households by addressing challenges in the registration and testing processes.
  • Improving and providing consistent outcomes and clear communication across the sector on emergency backstop requirements.
  • Promoting collaboration and engagement between DEECA, Distributed Network Service Providers (DNSPs), and the solar industry in delivering Victoria’s emergency backstop requirements to increase number of compliant installations of distributed solar PV, and support continued solar electricity exports in Victoria.

The reference group was first convened on 30 January 2025 and will continue to meet on a fortnightly basis.

Issues identifed by industry

The highest priority emergency backstop implementation issues are listed below and are actively being worked on to seek solutions:

  1. Approach to legacy solar systems.
  2. On-site compatibility testing failure rates and repeat site visits for installers.
  3. DNSP servers being offline.
  4. Safe sequencing for LEI inspections and costs for return to site for solar installers.
  5. OEM onboarding.
  6. Solar installations which have incorrect settings, including incorrect export limits, inappropriately seeking internet exemption or setting systems to zero export without consumer knowledge.
  7. Inconsistent export limits.

Other issues will be identified and investigated for resolution through the group as needed.

Stay updated

At the most recent meeting on Wednesday 12 February 2025, the group worked through priority issues including the application of the emergency backstop for legacy systems and recent difficulties with on-site compatability testing.

The reference group has identified actions to help resolve these issues which are now being actioned. We will continue to provide email updates to authorised solar retailers and installers participating in the Solar Homes program as the work of the reference group progresses. Please check your inbox for these updates.

Please also refer to the DNSPs’ emergency backstop webinars and resources at these links:

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