{"id":76514,"date":"2023-07-10T10:56:28","date_gmt":"2023-07-10T00:26:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/?p=76514"},"modified":"2023-07-10T12:04:01","modified_gmt":"2023-07-10T01:34:01","slug":"sapn-flexible-exports-wifi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarquotes.com.au\/blog\/sapn-flexible-exports-wifi\/","title":{"rendered":"Is Home WiFi The Achilles Heel Of South Australia’s Flexible Exports Program?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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South Australia – where more than 1-in-3 homes have rooftop solar – is once again leading the charge in solar energy integration with the introduction of Flexible Exports for new solar connections, starting in earnest this month (July 2023).
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But don’t worry; this is good news. Flexible Exports<\/a> (also called Dynamic Exports) \u00a0mean the grid will be more stable, and you’ll be able to export more energy than before<\/a> – up to 10kW per phase.<\/p>\n

However, the reliance on home WiFi as a key comms link raises some questions about its long-term robustness. After extensive trials of the world-leading program and some months of delay<\/a> in implementation, we now have a new approval and compliance platform. But is WiFi the best solution for this ambitious project?<\/p>\n

In this post, I’ll delve into the challenges posed by using WiFi in the Flexible Exports program and explore potential alternatives. I’ll also share my experiences installing connectivity in the suburbs and outback.<\/p>\n

For any South Australian solar installers<\/a> reading this – please be aware you need to be across the new requirements to maintain a rolling 90% compliance or SA Power Networks (SAPN) won’t let you lodge any new jobs.<\/p>\n

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According to this webinar, SAPN will force better compliance using the new “smart install” platform<\/p><\/div>\n

The National Impact of South Australia’s Dynamic Exports Program<\/h2>\n

South Australia’s distribution network operator, SAPN, has done a much better job this time after a less-than-stellar<\/a> introduction of “smarter homes” in 2020.<\/p>\n

The east coast may consider us a backwater, but SAPN is doing the testing and certification everyone will need as renewables continue to march out across the country. If you have more than a passing interest, let Victoria know we need national consistency with this survey they’re running<\/a>. Otherwise, we might all end up with the silly regulations from Queensland.<\/a><\/p>\n

Compliance Requirements<\/h2>\n

Not every SA address is eligible right now, but over the coming year dynamic controls<\/a> will become the standard, and so you’ll need capable equipment from an approved list.<\/a><\/p>\n

While these compliance requirements are crucial, another factor is equally important and potentially problematic: the reliance on home WiFi.<\/p>\n

Home WiFi as the Weakest Link in Flexible Exports<\/h2>\n

WiFi is both a boon and a bane for consumers. When the banging, drilling, and shouting has died down, you might think your solar installation is finished, but setting up connectivity can be a whole other job. We know trusty wired ethernet is more reliable than fickle WiFi, but few consumers are willing to pay for the extra effort.<\/p>\n

So those with sober statutory responsibilities to run the electricity network are left using a last-mile connection – home WiFi – akin to tin cans and a taught sting. The largest aggregated generator in SA, rooftop solar, \u00a0needs something more reliable than WiFi.<\/p>\n

Relying on dodgy customer-owned WiFi for controlling and managing our energy systems is a liability. When routers fail, telcos are switched, or residents focus more on a Netflix account than their electricity account, things will go unnoticed and unattended. And relying on real estate agents? Ye gods, that’s not the kind of energy future we want.<\/p>\n

Now I’ve raised this issue with many people, and from what I can gather, SAPN embraced WiFi because they had to deploy something quickly. When “Smarter Homes” was announced, it had about two whole days of industry consultation and a six-week lead time (proving bureaucracy can move quickly when they want to). The new rules required connectivity but nobody even had a solution ready for market in week one. Now Flexible Exports is up and running, they’ll have better visibility of delinquent connections, but getting them back online might not be so simple.<\/p>\n

Navigating the Maze of Internet Connectivity Options<\/h2>\n

WiFi? modem? ethernet? dongle? router? 4G? 2.4Ghz? Gahhhh..!<\/h4>\n

As a solar installer, I’ve often lamented that the internet has amazing potential, mainly to ruin my day with bad connectivity or commissioning problems. I shouldn’t complain, though; it happens to the very best of us sometimes. I can, however, offer some observations about what I’ve found effective in a varied set of circumstances and a few of the pitfalls you may encounter.<\/p>\n

Recommended Solutions for Reliable Internet Connectivity<\/h3>\n