Western Power is investigating the impact of increasing household solar generation on the electricity network through a trial in Perth.

The power company is receiving 2,000 applications to connect new residential solar photovoltaic systems each month.

As part of the Perth Solar City program, it is undertaking a technical trial to understand the impact of large numbers of solar photovoltaic systems on the electricity distribution network.

Western Power managing director Doug Aberle said the ‘Solar Collective’ trial launched in October 2010 provides a unique opportunity for Western Power.

“With the rising number of solar photovoltaic connections occurring in WA, Western Power is keen to record the impact of numerous systems being connected to a single power line. Western Power will use the information gathered from the trial and apply it across the wider network,” Aberle said.

A neighbourhood in Forrestfield has been selected for the trial, based on strict technical criteria and their connection to a single power line. Eligible households have been invited by Western Power to participate.

To achieve the required number of systems on a single line, Western Power will pay $2,500 towards an already discounted, fully installed solar photovoltaic system from SunPower and one lucky participant will win their system for free.

Participants will own the system and be eligible to receive $0.47 for each unit of excess power they produce through the solar system via WA’s feed-in tariff.

“We will remotely collect electrical data for 12 months from our assets and monitor the collective impact of the solar photovoltaic systems on the network. Traditionally in a power system, power flows in a one way direction from the major source of generation to the consumer. Solar photovoltaic systems can complicate this power flow by pushing electricity back into the network.

“This reverse electricity flow can lead to complications like voltage fluctuations and power quality issues on the network.

“Utilities all over the world, including Western Power, are preparing to integrate and manage increasing local generation from solar photovoltaic systems.

“This trial will allow Western Power to ‘stress test’ its assets and ensure future power quality across the network,” Mr Aberle said.

Information via Solarise, Australia’s Solar Cities. Visit www.climatechange.gov.au/solarcities for more information.