Thanks for the questions Sascha.
Once you have had your solar panel installed, the installer needs to lodge what’s called a ‘Form A’ with the energy retailer to notify them of the new solar installation. Once the energy retailer is notified, they will arrange to have one of their in-house electricians to visit the property inwhich the solar panels were installed, and remove the original power meter to replace it with a new bi-directional meter.
The new bi-directional meter can measure the flow of electricity both coming into the property and also exiting the property to the grid. This is so that they can accurately pay you for the excess power your system produces.
Now Sascha’s question was:
I think at this stage-the panels have been installed for 2-3 weeks now. When will an energex person come around, and initialize the set up?
From experience, there is between a two and a four week wait from the time that the solar panels are installed to when the system is completely commissioned by the energy retailers. This time can be extended to up to eight weeks during booming times in the year such as June, July and August.
It is the installers responsibility to lodge the ‘Form A’ to initiate the process and it is not uncommon for this to be forgotten. That’s why it is important to ask for a copy of the ‘Form A’ lodgement to be emailed to you so that you can be certain that it has been done.
If you live in a rural area, then their may be a longer wait for the meter to be installed. Again, the best thing to do is follow up with the energy retailer to check as to whether the ‘Form A’ has been lodged.
If the energy retail has not record of the ‘Form A’, then you will need to follow up with the installer to ensure that it has been lodged, and not forgotten about.
Please share your comments and personal experience in regards to this questions.
Thank you.
