Skip to main
jemena logo
About Rooftop Solar
Getting Started With Solar
Emergency Backstop Mechanism
Solar Installer Support Hub

Victoria’s Emergency Backstop Mechanism

Today, energy is being delivered through an increasingly sophisticated and complex landscape. As we work together to transition to a low-carbon energy system, we’re seeing customers and businesses embrace renewable energy solutions in greater numbers than ever before. This increase in customer-owned energy technologies, known as Customer Energy Resources (CER), can create supply and demand imbalances on the electricity network. This is particularly true on days when demand from the electricity grid is low and solar generation is high - an occurrence that can lead to an emergency situation known as a Minimum System Load (MSL) event.  

Emergency Backstop for rooftop solar systems  

To manage the risks of an MSL event occurring, the Victorian Government implemented a mechanism to ensure customers can continue to enjoy renewable energy solutions safely, securely and affordably into the future. Known as the Emergency Backstop Mechanism, the changes apply to new, replacement and upgraded solar systems connected to an electricity network like Jemena’s. 

You can read more about the changes on the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action of Victoria (DEECA) website here.

 

 

Requirements of the Emergency Backstop Mechanism

New, upgraded and replacement solar systems installed on Jemena’s Electricity Network must be able to be accessed remotely so we can manage the amount of solar being generated if an MSL event occurs. 

Should an MSL event occur, Jemena will be directed by the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) or an equivalent regulator to reduce solar exports, so customers can continue using their solar generated electricity for self-consumption. If the grid remains insecure, we may need to switch systems off altogether for a short period of time.

Approved inverter

Make sure your solar inverter is on the Clean Energy Council’s list of approved AS-4777.2.2020 CSIP-Aus inverters. These inverters are capable of being remotely controlled.
List of approved inverters

Connected inverter

The inverter must be wi-fi enabled and remain connected to the internet at all times so your solar generation can be remotely controlled if an MSL event occurs.

Compliant inverter

Your solar inverter must be on the list of Clean Energy Council CSIP-Aus compliant inverters as well as approved for connection on the Jemena Electricity Network.
Approved for Jemena

What is the Emergency Backstop Mechanism?

The Emergency Backstop Mechanism is a grid-security safeguard mandated by the Victorian Government. It ensures that new, upgraded or replacement rooftop solar systems are capable of being remotely controlled only during rare but unstable operation periods called Minimum System Load (MSL) events, which occur especially when solar export is high, but electricity demand is low.

Helpful resources