The DEBS Buyback Rate will be the same as the current REBS Buyback Rate for your town up-to 5 November 2020. From 6 November 2020 the time of export DEBS Buyback Rate will apply for eligible DEBS customers.
The Distributed Energy Buyback Scheme (DEBS) was launched by the State Government on 31 August 2020. DEBS offers a buyback rate for electricity exported back into the Horizon Power network, which appears on your bill as a credit.
Yes. If you already have rooftop solar installed and wish to expand on the number of panels or increase the size of your inverter, you must apply to Horizon Power before carrying out the expansion. Please note, your system may need to comply with the new Technical Requirements depending on the works proposed.
DEBS has been introduced to give customers the ability to harness value from the DER technology, such as batteries, and sell excess energy back to the grid.
DEBS is available to households, schools, educational institutions and not-for-profits in WA who meet a certain criteria.
If you are moving after 7th September 2020 you will be a DEBS applicant.
From 6 November 2020, a time of export DEBS Buyback Rate will apply for eligible DEBS customers.
DEBs rates are determined based on varying wholesale electricity (power generation) rates.
Yes, if you are already on REBS you can request to change over to DEBS by giving us a call on 1800 267 926.
To safeguard the quality of electricity to each community, we have set a limit on how much rooftop solar our electricity system can accommodate in each town without disrupting supply to our customers. This is called hosting capacity.
To make sure we can continue to offer safe and reliable power supplies to all our customers, Horizon Power must approve all rooftop solar system applications before they connect to our network.
Generation management devices (like Feed-In Management or FIM) help to overcome this challenge by controlling the electricity output of your rooftop solar.
Feed-In Management (FIM) is a type of generation management. A FIM device controls the amount of energy that your solar energy system feeds into the grid, which is especially important at times when excessive energy flows back to the power station, creating a risk to the power supply of the town.
In many of our towns, smaller sized ‘Basic Micro EG’ solar energy systems can only be installed if it is provisioned for FIM. In addition to your panels and inverter, you will need to install a small power outlet and box so the system can be retrofitted with a FIM device at a later date.
Please discuss the cost to install the FIM outlet and box with your solar supplier as this may vary, depending on your location and installer.
If your system is provisioned for Feed-In Management and we later determine that a FIM device is required, we will retrofit your system with a device and it will be at Horizon Power’s cost. We will contact you to discuss any changes to your renewable energy system before it takes place.
If you have a FIM device installed, Horizon Power is able to control the level of production of your solar energy system. However, we will only limit the level of production of your system in response to a risk to the security and reliability of the power system.
Horizon Power is unable to compensate customers for any loss of production associated with Feed-In Management (FIM). Horizon Power’s minimal use of FIM will enable more homes and businesses to meet their energy needs through the installation of rooftop solar.
We may undertake audits of your installed system for compliance with our Technical Requirements.
Credits will appear on your bill after the installation is completed. The amount of electricity you have exported to the electricity system over the billing period will also be itemised on your bill.
In 2010, when the solar industry was relatively new in WA, the State Government introduced a Feed in Tariff, which was essentially a credit paid to customers to encourage more household solar installation.
Learn about the solar application process on our Solar page.
There are no fees to apply to install a renewable energy system or to participate in our buyback offer for standard applications.
As an existing renewable energy customer you may expand the number of panels connected to your existing inverter (provided your existing inverter can support this expansion) and continue to receive the buyback price and any net Feed-in Tariff (FiT) payments you currently receive.
If you have just moved into a home or purchased a business that already has a solar energy system, you may be eligible for the renewable energy buyback offer. Use the calculator to find out the buyback rate in your town and if you meet the criteria to apply.
Our renewable energy buyback agreement is with the Horizon Power account holder. If you are a landlord wishing to install a renewable energy system, you will need to speak with your tenant about agreeing to the renewable energy buyback terms and conditions.
Yes, you can install solar if you have a prepayment meter. Find out how to apply here.
This depends on where you live and your circumstances. It’s important to speak with an accredited installer and your local council before you proceed with your solar energy application.
Yes. We encourage customers to visit the eligibility calculator to find out if you are eligible to install or apply for our buyback offer.
When sunlight hits the solar panels on your roof, your inverter converts it into electricity that is ready to use in your home. If you don’t use the electricity made by the solar panels, your meter measures how much of your excess electricity is fed back into the network for someone else to use.
As you’re generating some of your own electricity rather than taking it all from the network, your electricity bills will reduce.
A battery energy storage system stores excess solar energy to power your home. Find out how a battery in the home works.
There are a number of factors that will influence which system is right for you, such as how much power you use and where your system will be located. That’s why it’s important to contact an accredited installer to discuss your options.
We encourage you to consider factors that may change over the life of your renewable energy system. You receive value by reducing the amount of electricity you purchase from us as well as (for approved customers) by selling any excess electricity you generate back to us (the renewable energy buyback offer).
A list of approved suppliers can be found at the Clean Energy Council website. If you would like to install solar, find out how to apply to connect to the network.
Australian product standards are among the highest in the world for installers of solar power systems. You can read more about the Clean Energy Council and its standards on their website.
Certain customers who undertake the following changes to their systems will be required to apply for DEBS
For towns where hosting capacity is unavailable, Horizon Power may consider a renewable energy system with Extended Ramp Rate Smoothing and Feed-In-Management.
From February 2020, Horizon Power is running a 12-month Electric Vehicle Pilot to gain insights into user charging behaviour and the impact electric vehicles will have on Horizon Power microgrid networks.
Electric Vehicles (EVs) are about to become the new normal, and at Horizon Power we’re preparing for a future filled with clean, green electric cars.
Horizon Power acknowledges the Traditional Custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website may contain images, names or voices of deceased people.