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.

Wattwatchers offers a range of technology options for the creation of LGCs, which are aligned with the criteria for the measurement of (solar) power station generation data.

The Wattwatchers solution suite supports solar operations and maintenance with high-quality, real-time data and is suitable for LGC creation.

Overview of how LGCs work

Features that set Wattwatchers apart

Which Wattwatchers solution do I use for LGCs?

Auditor 6M

Auditor 3RM

Auditor 6M+One (CT-connect)

Overview of how LGCs work

When you have a site with a generation source that produces over 100kW, you may be eligible to claim LGCs (Large-scale certificates) from the Clean Energy Regulator if it meets their other eligibility criteria.

 
Please note that Wattwatchers only provides the approved hardware for creating LGCs and provides raw energy data via a .csv file that we provide in your fleet portal and then you will pull out the data you need to fill in the LGC form. Wattwatchers does not provide any data template or submit data to the CER.

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.

Which Wattwatchers model do I use for LGCs?

The renewable energy electricity regulations in Australia specify different criteria for meters depending on whether the expected generation from the (solar) power station is either above or below 750MWh per annum. Wattwatchers has models covering either scenario. The table below will help you to select the correct model.

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).

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.

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) 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.)

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