South Australia's distribution network operator to test rooftop solar curtailment for 100,000 customers on August 25

en.Wedoany.com Reported - SA Power Networks, South Australia's distribution network operator, has announced that its annual curtailment test will be held on August 25. Approximately 100,000 customers are expected to be affected on the day, with the curtailment expected to last less than an hour.

In a statement on its website, the company described the test as a "fire drill for the grid," aimed at verifying its ability to temporarily curtail rooftop solar generation during emergencies. The test will simulate a rare but urgent scenario to confirm that all systems and personnel are prepared to respond to a real emergency.

According to SA Power Networks, solar systems will be reduced to 0 kilowatts during the test before recovering. On average, each customer is expected to lose approximately 1.5 kilowatt-hours of generation.

The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) can direct the company to implement curtailment in system security emergencies to maintain power system stability. AEMO monitors grid stability nationwide, balancing electricity supply and demand. In South Australia, this balancing act is particularly challenging due to the region's per-capita rooftop solar capacity, which is among the highest in the world.

The South Australian government passed legislation in 2020 requiring all solar systems installed after September of that year to be capable of remote disconnection during system security emergencies.

Curtailment is regarded as one of the biggest challenges facing the development of Australia's solar market, spanning all market segments. An analysis in February showed that curtailment in South Australia is relatively mild in autumn and winter but rises sharply in spring and early summer. Earlier this year, the Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) unveiled a plan to modernize distribution network planning, stating that it would help reduce curtailment levels for rooftop solar.

According to data shared by the International Solar Energy Society, more than 50% of households in South Australia have rooftop solar installed.