Western Australia Solar Power System Grid Connection Rules & Process

Last Updated: 7th Oct 2026

Reguardless of where you are in Western Australia, it’s a good location for solar generation. 

The maximum of solar and/or battery inverter capacity a property can have in WA is determined by two main factors:

• Which electricity distribution network you’re in: Western Power in the south west or Horizon Power in regional and remote WA.
• Whether the property has single phase or three phase power. 

But another factor that usually determines how much solar inverter capacity a home installs is…

• Whether or not payment can be received for surplus solar energy exported to the grid. This is normally called a feed-in tariff, but in WA it’s also referred to as an energy buyback scheme.

Electricity Distribution Networks

The areas served by the state’s two electricity distributors are:

Western Power: Covers Perth and south west WA, from Kalbarri to Albany and east to Kalgoorie, serving over 90% of WA’s population. In this area, Synergy will be your electricity retailer.

Horizon Power: Regional and remote WA, including the Kimberly, Pilbara, Gascoyne/Mid West, and Goldfields/Esperance. In these areas, Horizon Power is both the electricity distributor and retailer.

Both are state government owned and responsible for operating and maintaining their electricity distribution networks. 

Single Phase & Three Phase Power

Two thirds of homes in WA have single phase power while one-third have three-phase power. Three phase homes can receive more power from the grid and can export more — if permitted to do so. Three phase homes can install more total inverter capacity — both solar inverter and battery inverter capacity — than single phase homes. In the Horizon Power network, they are also allowed to export more power to the grid.

Feed-in Tariff/Energy Buyback Availability

In the Western Power/Synergy network area, only homes with 5 kW or less of solar inverter capacity and 6.6 kW of solar panel capacity can receive a feed-in tariff through the Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS). For this reason, despite being permitted to install larger systems, the largest solar system most homes in Western Power/Syngergy area install is 6.6 kW. But, for some homes with high electricity consumption and a battery, it can make financial sense to install a larger solar system and do without a feed-in tariff. 

In the Horizon network area, it is possible for solar systems with inverter capacities over 5 kW to receive a feed-in tariff through the Buyback Bonus Scheme.

Inverter, Generation, & Export Limits

As in other states, your distribution network sets limits on how much inverter capacity a property can install. In WA, these are combined solar and battery inverter capacity limits. If you have an AC coupled battery with its own battery inverter, its capacity will count towards the total.  

Unlike in other states, in WA there are also generation limits.

Inverter, generation, and export limits for the two distribution networks are set out in the table below:

WA Solar Grid Connection Steps

The process for grid-connecting your solar power system in Western Australia will also depend on whether you’re in the Western Power or Horizon Power distribution area.

—- For The Western Power Region:

1. Get A Retailer Reference Number

Normally, your installer will lodge an application on your behalf with Synergy, although you can do this yourself if you wish. Synergy will issue a Retailer Reference Number that your installer will use to apply to Western Power for approval to connect the system. 

2. Submit The Western Power Connection Application

You or your installer submits an Embedded Generation Application to Western Power using the RRN and details of the proposed system. Most Straightforward applications are approved quickly, while those needing a technical assessment can take longer. Western Power then issues Preliminary Approval to Connect.

3. Install The Approved System

Once Western Power has approved the application, your installer can install the solar and/or battery system in accordance with the approval. The installer, or licenced electrical contractor working for them, also handles the required electrical-safety notifications and paperwork.

4. Register The Installed System

After installation, the installer submits the system details to Western Power, including inverter serial numbers. The electrical contractor’s Notice of Completion must also have been submitted. If the meter needs replacing or reprogramming, registering the system automatically triggers the required meter work.

5. Receive Approval To Operate

Once the paperwork, registration and any required meter work are complete, Western Power sends an Approval to Operate notice. The solar system can then be switched on and begin generating.

Further details can be found here.

—- Horizon Power Region

Horizon Power’s page on the solar and battery installation process is available here. 

1. Join Community Wave Online

All new solar and battery installations, as well as existing systems that are upgraded, must participate in Horizon Power’s Community Wave arrangements. This requires joining online and getting a Smart Connect reference number you pass on to your installer. 

2. Installer Submits Connection Application

Using your Smart Connect reference number, your installer submits a renewable-energy connection application to Horizon Power. Installation isn’t allowed until Horizon Power has approved the application.

3. System Installation & Smart Connect Commissioning

The installer puts in the approved system, including the required compatible inverter and Secure Gateway Device for Horizon’s energy-management system.

4. Completion Paperwork

The installer submits the required Notice of Completion. Any necessary metering work is completed and the system enters the applicable Community Wave/buyback arrangements.

After this has been completed, your system can be switched on.

Further details can be found here.