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Business energy

Commercial solar and network connection in WA

A decision path for WA businesses assessing load, site constraints, network connection and the commercial basis of a solar project.

Assess the project Prepare the project brief
Maintained by
McKercher Corporation
Status
Published · reviewed
For
Customers, Industry, Partners
Review connection references
Maintained byMcKercher CorporationPublishedReviewed
For

Customers, Industry, Partners

Review connection references
01 / Assess the project

Build the project around the operating site

Commercial solar should be scoped as an energy and connection project, not only an equipment purchase. Interval demand, operating hours, roof and switchboard constraints, network hosting capacity, export conditions and the status of any announced incentive all affect the viable design.

Demand and site feasibility

  1. Begin with interval demand

    Use recent interval data, operating hours, seasonal demand and planned loads to distinguish useful on-site generation from unmanaged export.

  2. Establish physical and electrical constraints

    Review roof condition and access, structural capacity, switchboards, metering, phases, fire and maintenance access, and the route to the point of connection.

Network connection

  1. Identify the network pathway early

    System size, export intent and site characteristics determine the information and technical review required by Western Power. Approval should not be assumed from array capacity alone.

Technical guidance for solar installers (opens in a new tab)Basic Embedded Generator Connection Technical Requirements (opens in a new tab)

Commercial assumptions

  1. Separate current rules from announcements

    The mid-scale expansion of the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme is made and applies to systems installed from 1 October 2026. Certificate applications are expected to open later, so eligibility and lodgement should be stated separately in a proposal.

  2. Model the commercial case transparently

    State tariff, load, generation, degradation, curtailment, maintenance, financing and certificate assumptions so the business case can be tested.

Putting more roofs to work (opens in a new tab)

Delivery and operating records

  1. Plan approvals and handover records

    Retain design inputs, connection correspondence, approvals, certificates, commissioning results and asset information for operations and future changes.

02 / Network and policy

Separate connection requirements from policy announcements

Check network documentation for the proposed connection. Treat announced policy changes separately from the requirements already applying to a project.

Review Western Power's technical guidanceCheck current connection, export and technical requirements directly on Western Power's guidance for solar installers before fixing a design. (opens in a new tab)
Western PowerTechnical guidance for solar installers (opens in a new tab)Western PowerBasic Embedded Generator Connection Technical Requirements (opens in a new tab)Energy Policy WAMaking it easier to connect solar, batteries and EV chargers (opens in a new tab)Minister for Climate Change and EnergyPutting more roofs to work (opens in a new tab)
03 / Common questions

Questions that shape feasibility

Does a certificate entitlement guarantee network approval?

No. Certificate eligibility and network connection are separate. Western Power assesses the proposed connection and may apply technical or export conditions.

Is the 1 MW small-scale scheme threshold in force?

The Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Mid-scale Solar) Regulations 2026 are made and apply to systems installed from 1 October 2026. The Clean Energy Regulator expects certificate applications to open in mid to late November 2026, and further guidance on related devices, extensions and documentation is still to be published.

Should a business size solar to available roof area?

Not by itself. Interval demand, network limits, operating hours, future electrification and the commercial assumptions should shape capacity before unused roof area is treated as the target.

When should the connection pathway be assessed?

Early in feasibility. A project can be technically sound behind the meter while facing export, data or approval constraints at the network connection.

04 / Prepare the project brief

Bring the demand data and site constraints

Contact McKercher with recent interval demand data, site constraints and the expected system capacity under consideration.

Discuss a commercial energy requirement

Contact McKercher to identify the appropriate group business for a commercial solar or distributed energy enquiry.

Discuss a commercial energy requirement
05 / Further reading

Evidence for the project assessment

Feasibility and connection reporting come first, followed by policy settings and the wider business context.

Feasibility and project definition

Policy and connection settings

Business and delivery context

06 / Related guides

Consider the other project obligations

WA solar and battery compliance centre

Current operational references for installers and retailers working across WA solar, battery storage and distributed energy connections.

Solar and battery consumer protection

Practical checks for the business, contract and payment terms behind a solar or battery proposal.