I want to upgrade my solar system in WA. What do I need to do to keep my Feed In Tariff (REBS)?

Q. I have an existing solar system in WA, and I want to increase its capacity. What do I need to do to ensure that I don't lose my Feed In tariff under the Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme (REBS)

A.

In WA the feed in scheme is called REBS.

You have to first submit a Synergy “Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme Change of System Application”. Then as long as they say "yes" you can go ahead and do the upgrade.

You can read the terms here:

https://www.synergy.net.au/-/media/Files/PDF-Library/REBS_Terms_and_Conditions.pdf

The important one is:

11. Subject to clauses 7.3, 17.3.7, 17.3.8 and 17.3.9 system expansion at a residential customer’s premises is permitted provided the system following that expansion still constitutes a small renewable energy system.
Note: It is very important that customers read clauses 7.3, 17.3.7, 17.3.8 and 17.3.9 before making any decision concerning expansion of their small renewable energy system.

which references:

7.3 The customer must submit a Synergy “Renewable Energy Buyback Scheme Change of System Application” form (as amended or replaced by Synergy from time to time) and obtain Synergy’s consent in writing to the change before any change is made to the customer’s system (including, but not limited to, any operational, structural or functional change); including in particular, but not limited to, any change in the customer’s system generation capacity or its export capacity. Failure to do so may result in, but is not limited to, the customer being ineligible for the subsidy rate and/or the REBS buyback rate. Any such consent given by Synergy does not in any way limit, remove, vary or waive (or condone or ratify any breach of) any of the customer’s obligations under the contract (including, but not limited to, the customer’s obligations under clauses 6.1, 7.1 or 7.2).

17.3.7 Subject to clause 7.3, 17.3.8 and 17.3.9 if a quali ed Feed-in Tari customer expands its small renewable energy system capacity then the subsidy rate can be applied to the renewable energy exported from the expanded system provided the system following that expansion still constitutes a small renewable energy system. However, the 10 year duration still applies from the date of the original installation not 10 years from the date of the expansion.

17.3.8 A qualified Feed-in Tarif customer must not after the subsidy scheme suspension expand its small renewable energy system capacity by increasing the size of the existing inverter, installing a new inverter or expanding inverter capacity by any other means unless approval has been granted in accordance with clause 7.3 prior to the subsidy scheme suspension.

17.3.9 A qualifed Feed-in Tariff customer must not after subsidy scheme suspension, increase the capacity of the system inverter. Increasing inverter capacity after the subsidy scheme suspension will result in the quali ed Feed-in Tariff customer being ineligible to continue to participate in the subsidy scheme.