How Wattwatchers supports the creation of solar large-scale generation certificates (LGC)

This article explains how to select the best Wattwatchers solution for LGC metering.

• Overview of how LGCs work
• Features that set Wattwatchers apart
• How to submit an LGC application
• Choosing Wattwatchers hardware
• 6M & 3RM hardware for LGC data
• 6M+One hardware for LGC data
• Auditor hardware specs

Overview of how LGCs work

Wattwatchers offers technology solutions for creating Large-scale Generation Certificates (LGCs) by measuring solar power station generation data. Our solutions provide high-quality, real-time data for solar operations and maintenance, making them suitable for LGC creation.

If your site generates over 100 kW, you may be eligible to claim LGCs from the Clean Energy Regulator, provided you meet their other eligibility criteria.

Please note that Wattwatchers only supplies the approved hardware to capture the necessary data for LGCs. We do not provide data templates or submit data to the Clean Energy Regulator.

Features that set Wattwatchers apart

• Plug-and-play LGC creation approved meters
• Built-in SIM card – no comms cable, router or Wi-Fi configuration required

(RS-485 connection between the Modbus-enabled version of the Wattwatchers Auditor 6M and the ‘+One’, which is a third-party NMI-approved metering hardware.)

• LGC creation approved meter and real-time energy monitoring bundle that supports solar operations and maintenance
• Over-the-air device management includes firmware upgrades and remote correction of common installation errors
• The Auditor 6M+One bundle solution avoids hardware duplication by combining: Real-time monitoring, and Billing certified channel (NMI pattern-approved) suited for solar PPA and LGC creation over 750MWh.

How to submit an LGC application

Here is a 20-minute video by the CER on how to submit an LGC application. For more information, make sure you visit the CER website directly. 

Wattwatchers does not offer LGC application services. However, we can collaborate with your chosen LGC creation company to assist them in retrieving the data needed for LGCs once the hardware is installed.

Choosing Wattwatchers hardware

Select a hardware model that fits your needs. Make sure to check the device's specifications, especially the CT sizes, to ensure they match your site's requirements.

Hardware	Total inverter system size	Expected annual generation
Auditor 6M	Up to 430kW	645MWh
Auditor 3RM	Up to 500kW	750MWh
Auditor 6M+One (CT-connect)	Up to 1000kW (1MW)	1500MWh
Combination of multiple Auditors	Greater than 1MW	Greater than 1500MWh

 

6M or 3RM hardware for LGC data

For power stations that generate under 750MWh per year.

• The 6M has 6x channels for CTs up to 600A - Learn more
• The 3RM has 3x channels for the 3000A Rogowski coils - Learn more 

6M+One hardware for LGC data

For power Stations that generate over 750MWh per year.

The 6M+One comes with two types of hardware

• 6M+MB has 6x channels for CTs up to 600A with Modbus port
• CET PMC meter Has 3x channels for monitoring up to 1500A

Learn more about 6M+One specs

More about hardware specs

Auditor 6M: Enterprise-grade, Class 1 (IEC 62053-21)

The Auditor 6M is one of the most reliable and economical hardware solutions in the market. It meets the requirements for the creation of LGCs using power station generation data for annual energy generation of up to 645MWh or an equivalent of 430kW Solar PV system (depending on location, tilt, and orientation).

The Auditor 6M can accommodate CT sizes up to 600A (36mm cable diameter).
Learn more about Auditor CTs and coils specs

Auditor 3RM: Enterprise-grade, Class 1 (IEC 62053-21)

The Auditor 3RM shares similar characteristics to its sibling, the Auditor 6M, but works with 3000A Rogowski-coils (instead of CTs). This makes it suitable for the creation of LGCs from (solar) power stations with annual energy generation of up to 750MWh or an equivalent of a 500kW solar PV system (depending on location, tilt, and orientation).

While the Auditor 3RM is capable of monitoring much higher currents for solar PV systems greater than 500kW, the relevant regulations mandate that to create LGCs an NMI-approved meter is required to capture generation data of more than 750MWh per annum.
Learn more about Auditor CTs and coils specs

Auditor 6M+One (CT-connect): NMI approved

The Auditor 6M+One (CT-connect) is Wattwatchers’ plug-and-play NMI-approved hardware solution for the creation of LGCs for annual energy generation of more than 750MWh up to 1500MWh, the equivalent of a 500kW to 1MW (solar) power station. 

The Auditor 6M+One (CT-connect) provides two data streams:

• Instantaneous measurements of Class 1 (IEC 62053-21) energy data in 30 seconds and 5-minute intervals. These data are useful for remote inverter fault investigation and validating the operational status of the (solar) power station.
• NMI pattern-approved channel for the creation of LGCs for annual energy generation of more than 750MWh up to 1500MWh, the equivalent of a 1MW (solar) power station (depending on location, tilt, and orientation). This channel is also suitable for ‘trade’ purposes including ‘behind the meter’ PPA, billing, and submetering.

The Auditor 6M+One (CT-connect) PMC meter can accommodate two sizes of 5A billing CT of sizes 600A/5A and 1500/5A. (Note, however, that the 1500A/5A CTs will usually be required, as the use cases for 600A/5A CT  are covered by the Auditor 6M and 3RM options.) The PMC data is only retrievable via an API server and not via the Wattwatchers tools or applications. 

Learn more about Auditor CTs and coils specs

Combination of multiple Auditors

The Wattwatchers solution suite is also suitable for the creation of LGCs for (solar) power stations with a total inverter size of more than 1MW. To achieve this, a combination of multiple Auditors is required.

For example, to monitor a 1MW (solar) power station, you will need
1x Auditor 6M+One (CT-connect) with 1500A/5A billing CTs; and

1x Auditor 3RM with Rogowski coils