This is essential reading if you’re a business owner who doesn’t like paying through the nose for electricity.
The benefits of having commercial solar are clear to most, but sometimes there are other reasons that aren’t so obvious unless pointed out. In this case, if you’re a business owner, it’s not just the solar power that creates the savings. The other part of the equation is your reduced grid usage, which can keep your business under the threshold that would otherwise class it as a ‘large market customer’.
Why is that important? Because a large market customer is subject to different rules by the network, and can pay more for every unit of electricity than the small market customer next door. It’s like creeping into the next tax bracket, without the benefit of earning more money.
It’s quite possible this business owner isn’t just trying to save the planet. Image: Eco Green Solar
The Detail
How do I know this? Because I talked to an expert. Sharon Musker is a business energy strategist and director of WiseUp Energy Solutions. She spends her days helping business owners understand and plan their energy use to improve the bottom line.
Sharon says: “We’re that conduit between the electricity retailer and the customer. We help them manage their energy costs by analyzing how and when they use their power, and giving options to reduce costs. We plug in the holes because there’s a lot of holes in the market that customers are just not aware of.”
Due to the unprecedented volatility in the energy market in recent times, Sharon is a very good friend to have.
“Up until about March 2022, prior to the war in Ukraine, and the resulting increase in coal and gas prices, it may have been probable that there was a lower overall cost for a business to go on to a Commercial and Industrial (C&I) contract. However, the strategies that we were using ten months ago have been completely reversed.”
Wholesale electricity prices to August 2022. Sorry, I don’t have a crystal ball to show the effects of the current government intervention (December 2022). Image RBA
Does This Apply To Your Business?
It’s not the size of your business, but the size of your grid electricity consumption that deems whether you’re classified as a small business or large commercial contestable customer.
In Southeast Queensland, if a business uses more than 100 MWh per annum, the distributor will classify it as a large market customer. However, every state in Australia is different.
Every electricity distributor network has different rules, different fees and charges. Every business is different in how they use their energy, and most likely, what they’re paying will be different.
What’s That Got To Do With Solar Power?
Installing commercial solar may be one of the quickest, lowest-cost solutions to lower your grid electricity usage, and prevent being forced into the unpredictable world of C&I contracts. I’ll let Sharon explain with this example:
ABC manufacturing business has installed some large machines and all of a sudden their usage has gone up. They might be sitting on just above that 100 MWh for the last 12 months. The distributor will flag that business, reclassify them as a large market customer, and send them a letter. The problem is that the customer doesn’t know the difference, and doesn’t act upon the letter because they’re not sure what they need to do next.
The network will then advise the retailer. Generally, the retailer will then change the customer’s tariff to a large tariff. That can often increase the bills substantially. When the first bill comes the customer calls the retailer and asks why their bill has gone up. The retailer says “because your tariff has changed”.
They’ve gone from a small business customer on an energy plan (who can change plans at any time without penalty) to a large customer overnight. As a large customer, you can’t just change energy plans or move retailers. You need to negotiate a new C&I contract.
The contract locks in the peak and off-peak rates and you can choose the term, generally between 1 and 5 years. The rest of the line items are all to do with the network charges, environmental levies, metering costs, and any other associated costs such as broker and regulatory charges.
ABC Manufacturing who used to have a relatively small bill of $15K per annum, started to use a bit more energy, got a letter from the network saying they’re now a large market customer, don’t know what that means, got the first bill, tariffs have changed, now have added demand charges on the bill that they’ve never seen before, don’t know how that works, then all of a sudden that $15K has gone up to $40K per annum.
How Can Installing Solar Prevent Being Moved To A Large Customer Classification?
It all comes down to understanding your consumption. If we can see that your consumption is going up because you’ve changed the way you’re doing business or installing new machines, or simply got busier, then we can flag and see that increase, and if you’re about to tip over that 100MWh per annum, what’s next?
Is that something that’s going to continue, how much more energy are you going to use, or is it just a one-off? For example, you may have had a big contract, or had a tenant using some of your power. There are lots of reasons why an increase may have happened, but it’s to determine what happens next. If that increase is going to continue we need to see what cost-effective measures can reduce overall consumption.
At that stage, solar power will be one of the quickest, lowest-cost solutions to make that happen. Not making a decision is the worst decision because, at that point, if you don’t decide to put on solar panels, you will end up in this crazy world of a commercial contract. It’s not something that you can get out of without costs.
It’s protecting the customer from the drama of being on that contract, but also helping them understand what’s driving their energy costs. So they’re more in control of the decisions, to make a balanced judgment of that solar investment based on “if we don’t do this, then that is going to happen.”
It’s not like a salesman is knocking at the door trying to sell them some solar. Now the customer has the data and can see it for themselves. They have a reason and a plan. Often, however, you can lead a horse to water but sometimes it’s when the horse has bolted that we have to come in and put out the fire.
Some customers haven’t acted quickly enough so have had to enter into a C&I contract for a short term while they install solar and then we have had to reverse the classification process. Eventually, we’ll get those businesses back to being small market customers, but it all takes time which could have been avoided.
Data-Driven Decisions
Sharon developed a ‘Solar Ready’ review for business customers to help them make informed data-driven decisions. She doesn’t go into the solar system specs at all. It’s purely “what if you installed XYZ sized system, compared to ABC sized system”, and how would that affect the bills/ contracts?
The table below is for a client classified as C&I using 161,000 kWh a year.
- We compared 12 months of meter data, so we knew exactly what was being used. Then compared the impact of installing a 50 kW system vs a 75 kW system.
- In both cases, the addition of solar reduced their usage significantly but the 50 kW system was a better fit and a lower cost.
- We recommended that the client take just a one-year contract. The plan is to reclassify shortly after the solar installation and change the tariff. When the contract end date is a little closer, we will not re-contract and rather move them to a small market account.
WiseUp solar-ready chart. Image: WiseUp Energy Solutions
Next Steps
Changing these classifications and tariffs doesn’t just happen automatically. There needs to be intervention to get a better outcome. Here are four easy steps to take to prevent being moved to a contestable commercial tariff:
1. Look at your usage
Make a list or a spreadsheet of the last 12 months of electricity bills. Is that likely to increase or decrease? What are you paying for that energy? Is that likely to increase or decrease? What type of meter do you have?
2. Engage a professional
This could be an energy efficiency auditor, energy consultant, or better still, someone like Sharon – a business energy strategist, with experience across the board in energy efficiency through to energy markets. Or – go it alone (at your own peril).
3. Get solar power based on a strategic plan
You could start getting some quotes for solar yourself, but beware! If you get a quote before making a plan, it may not be a fit-for-purpose solution.
Sharon says “I would urge them to give the same information to all suppliers. There needs to be a scope. What often happens is that the quotes will be vastly different because there hasn’t been a scope.”
Are you trying to simply stay under the small business threshold, or are you putting on a large enough system to feed back to the grid? Are you trying to cover your increase in demand due to up-scaling machinery, or are you putting in twenty EV chargers for your staff?
4. Follow up and review the plan
Signing the paperwork with the solar installer is only part of the journey. The follow-up is also important. There’s the current state (before solar panels), and the post-solar future state, which may be a different path.
What needs to be done once that solar power system is installed, and who will do it? Is it the solar installer, the retailer, the customer, or a third party?
“What’s often forgotten is that there is a process. We have come across several commercial solar systems that have never been turned on! Moving forward, if you haven’t got a handle on things now, the future is going to be really tough as we move towards net zero. You need to know what you’re doing now.”
So here you have it. Wise words from Sharon Musker. If you think any of the above applies to you then don’t drag your feet. As Sharon says – not making a decision is the worst way forward.
About Kim Wainwright
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Good thinking. And if the business uses the bulk of its power in daylight hours wouldn’t the next thing to do be to sign up to Amber Energy and buy your power direct from the NEM for next nothing?
Hi Mark. Yes that sounds like a good option, but the devil is in the detail. Amber has a business product that is currently in Beta, for customers who use less than 100MWh per year. There’s a link here, but it might worth an email or call to see if works for each particular scenario… https://help.amber.com.au/hc/en-us/articles/5654035553165-Amber-for-Business-Beta-Product-
Kim:
“ABC manufacturing business has installed some large machines and all of a sudden their usage has gone up. They might be sitting on just above that 100 MWh for the last 12 months. The problem is that the customer doesn’t know the difference and doesn’t act upon the letter….”
This is a common scenario and there are innovative and cost effective solutions available and being deployed.
It is very likely that ABC have a strong option to reduce their electricity costs considerably, with the right expert advice, and the best option will only be identified with a site survey of the business operations by an experienced Off Grid Solutions designer/integrator and installer.
Case in point: A very common oversight made by small manufacturing businesses is that they don’t understand [or have not been made aware] that if they are primarily a daytime manufacturing operation; they should definitely consider installing a “Specific Circuits/Loads – Off Grid Solution”.
For the systems designers: they must be expert and experienced of course in Industrial Off Grid Load Diversity and Machinery Duty Cycle system design principles.
This is the most cost effective way for managing any low duty cycle, 3 phase and single phase machinery/equipment such as: compressors, guillotines; bending machines; welders; etc.
Also being an Off Grid Solution it is eligible for STC’s up to 100KW [the CER regulation is that the total kW Rating of any/all Solar PV Systems Installed at the premises; i.e. On Grid + Off Grid, cannot exceed 100 kW for STC’s to be eligible]. Importantly also, being an Off Grid Solution, there are no applications or liaising with the local network provider required.
Additionally and depending on the essential “night loads” required by the business; grid consumption could be further minimised [or zeroed] by incorporating a DC Coupled Storage Solution to the Off Grid Solution.
There are many effective options.
Lawrence Coomber
Hi Lawrence,
“… the best option will ONLY be identified with a site survey of the business operations by an experienced Off Grid Solutions designer/integrator and installer…”??
I’m not sure about that!
“… This (off-grid) is the most cost effective way for managing any low duty cycle, 3 phase and single phase machinery/equipment…”??
My intuition says otherwise, but admittedly I’m not the expert. Please enlighten me.
Thanks Kim:
By your own admission then as a non expert in Stand Alone Power Systems Design and Installation; I can understand why you very wisely: will not be offering your professional services to evaluate Energy Solutions design options for potential Stand Alone Power Services clients.
Obviously and as I mentioned previously; these complex engineering services should only be undertaken by experts in their particular field.
The same rule applies for most other professions as well of course.
Would you concur with this view Kim?
Lawrence Coomber
I’m not sure if we’re hearing each other correctly Lawrence. From my perspective your comments are very welcome, but my question wasn’t relating to me offering my services as an off-grid solar designer! My job is to scrutinize claims made by others in the solar industry. You’re obviously an expert in your field and I’m very interested in not only what you have to say, but also your reasoning.
I was merely responding to 2 points in your very thorough comments which I was asking for some clarification on. Those points were…
1) “… the best option will ONLY be identified with a site survey of the business operations by an experienced Off Grid Solutions designer/integrator and installer…”??
To me that reads: that a site survey by an experienced Off Grid Solutions designer/integrator and installer is the ONLY way to identify the best option for a client. Maybe I read it wrong. It may be ONE way to identify the best option, but there are certainly other professionals able to carry out an energy audit and produce a load profile, and so have data in which to evaluate the next steps.
2) “… This (off-grid) is the most cost effective way for managing any low duty cycle, 3 phase and single phase machinery/equipment…”??
As I said – my intuition says otherwise, but admittedly I’m not the expert. It seems counter-intuitive to me that installing an off-grid system would be more cost effective than grid tied solar/grid to run heavy 3 phase machinery in most instances. I was asking for you to enlighten me, meaning – can you explain why this is so?
I also realize that this is a limited forum in which to discuss this subject in depth. Feel free to put up a link here in the comments for your professional services, in case an interested potential client wants to take this a step further. As you said – there are many effective options. We’re all on the same side!
Thanks Kim.
Part 1 of 2
If your job is to scrutinize claims made by others in the solar industry, and you are serious about it; then I recommend you get up to speed on the nitty gritty of some important technical and regulatory subjects. This post will help you.
You seem well off the mark on the subject of Standalone [Off Grid] Solutions and the responsibilities that come with being a System Designer/Installer operating in this space, and importantly my previous point: (1) “… the best option will ONLY be identified with a SITE SURVEY of the business operations by an EXPERIENCED Off Grid Solutions Designer/Integrator and Installer…”. Which still stands.
There are very sound reasons for this.
Not only does this point make sense; but it is mandatory for CEC System Designers to conduct an Off Grid Site Survey [in person] and fully inform the customer of the available Renewable Energy Solution options possible at that site for their consideration.
Non-performance over time of an Off Grid Solution can prove very costly to the System Designer and Installer when things go pear shaped after installation.
As they do.
This degree of Designer/Installer responsibility is very different to On-Grid System Designer/Installers, and one key reason is that Off Grid Customers have one overarching and legally understandable expectation of their System Designer/Installer: that being that their system, as the premises sole power source and therefore a critical power supply service, is required to operate [in a defined way] 24/7 [guaranteed].
Long gone are the days when Off Grid customers were powerless and at the mercy of a dubious system designs; fluky battery stacks; etc once the System Installer left the premises after install.
to be continued – Part 2 of 2:
Lawrence Coomber
Part 2 of 2 continued.
On Grid System Designers/Installers however have a very convenient partner in their corner [and free of charge] for when things go pear shaped – being the Grid. The result being – very few On Grid System squabbles end up in costly litigation.
I have attached a pdf file Kim for your information that pretty much spells out all you need to know, about Off Grid Solutions and Designer/Installer responsibilities; Government training standards; and qualifications/licencing moving forward.
https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/c1f75125-6391-46bd-9eb0-3837f7e64ebc/downloads/OFF-GRID-TECHNOLOGY-AND-TRAINING-2023.pdf?ver=1673077478470
Finally regarding my point (2) “… This (off-grid) is the most cost effective way for managing any LOW DUTY CYCLE, 3 phase and single phase machinery/equipment…” verses your Grid connect alternative: well good luck with that idea mate – it’s not commercially viable.
Lawrence Coomber
Part 1 of 1
Thanks Lawrence. You are the greatest.
First thought (mine) when viewing your photo of a large industrial building covered with solar panels was; “WOW! What is the risk of hail damage to this?”
I only have a 5kw system, have never thought about hail damage, so never asked about insurance. This would appear to be a distinct (yet unknown) cost of solar electricity that needs to be looked at, so I am wondering what statistics (if any) are available, for both self-insuring owners and insurance companies.
Obviously location (as with flood risk) would have a big bearing on risk, as would loss of energy available following actual hail damage.
Can you throw light on this matter?
Hi Allan. Good question, which I think you answered yourself with regard to location having a bearing on risk. I’m sure insurance companies would have plenty of data on this. BOM certainly does right here… http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/stormarchive/storm.php?stormType=hail
As with every business decision, insurance would have to be factored in to the equation in a commercial operation. As far as your own system, it might be worth contacting your insurance company if you’re worried about it.
There’s an interesting article Michael wrote on hail damage on solar panels (or lack of it) back in 2017… https://www.solarquotes.com.au/blog/solar-panels-hail-mb0032/
You should have cover under a home insurance policy. When I installed my system I did a review of my cover to ensure I felt like I had enough with the addition. My company had to give me an approval because the system is13kW. Insurance cost did not go up so I assume they don’t regard them as high risk.