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When solar and batteries are installed in Australia, a Type 4 smart meter is required before the system can export energy or report interval data correctly.Understanding who does what helps avoid delays and misplaced blame.<h3>Who actually requests the new meter? </h3>Under the National Electricity Rules, metering is a retail market function:<ul><li>Only the electricity retailer can appoint a Metering Coordinator</li><li>Only the Metering Coordinator can arrange a Type 4 meter installation</li></ul>This is set out in the National Electricity Rules (Chapter 7 – Metering), administered by Australian Energy Market Operator, which clearly separates:<ul><li>electrical installation work, and</li><li>market metering responsibilities </li></ul>Installers and customers cannot order meters directly under the NER.<h3>How grid connection rules fit in</h3>When solar is installed, the installer must notify the local distribution network that embedded generation has been added. In Queensland, this occurs through the Electrical Work Request (EWR) lodged with Energex or Ergon Energy.DNSP connection rules require that:<ul><li>new or altered embedded generation must comply with metering requirements, and</li><li>the site must have appropriate NEM-compliant metering to operate as approved </li></ul>However, DNSPs do not order meters. They rely on the retailer-led process defined in the NER.<h3>Where the installer’s role comes in</h3>While installers cannot request meters themselves, CEC guidance expects installers to guide customers through the connection and metering steps needed to make the system operational.Under Clean Energy Council frameworks, including the New Energy Tech Consumer Code (NETCC):<ul><li>customers must be given clear, accurate information about what is required for their system to work</li><li>installers are expected to explain post-installation steps that sit with retailers or networks</li><li>leaving a customer unaware of mandatory metering upgrades is treated as poor practice</li></ul>Part of the sales pitch when selling a battery usually includes taking advantage of time-of-use (ToU) savings, export incentives, and increasingly dynamic pricing. Under state and federal battery rebate programs, this goes further by requiring the battery inverter to be VPP-ready. All of these benefits depend on interval (Type 4) metering being in place. Without a smart meter, the battery cannot correctly respond to ToU tariffs, cannot participate in VPP-style programs, and cannot accurately measure exports. This is another reason why metering should be treated as a core part of the installation journey, not an afterthought. This is why competent installers:<ul><li>explain upfront that a Type 4 meter is required</li><li>tell customers that the retailer must raise the request</li><li>help customers ask the right follow-up questions </li></ul><h3>Why choosing a good installer matters </h3>From the customer’s perspective, solar installation is a single journey. From a regulatory perspective, it spans:<ul><li>electrical safety law</li><li>DNSP connection rules</li><li>national metering rules</li></ul>A good installer understands all three and helps bridge the gaps.That doesn’t mean chasing retailers forever, but it does mean:<ul><li>setting expectations correctly</li><li>pointing customers to the right party</li><li>avoiding weeks of confusion and blame </li></ul><h3>The takeaway </h3>National Electricity Rules: retailers and Metering Coordinators handle metersDNSP connection rules: generation must be declared and metering must be compliantCEC guidance: installers are expected to walk customers through the process Choosing an installer who understands this full picture is one of the simplest ways to avoid delays after your solar system goes on the roof.

Getting a new smart meter after a battery: who to ask, and why your installer matters

When something doesn’t behave the way you expect, the fastest way for me to fix it is a good problem report.I know this can sound like unnecessary bureaucracy. It can feel a bit like: <blockquote>have you filled out your TPS report?</blockquote>I promise it isn’t that.Powston makes a decision every five minutes. That is 288 independent decisions per day. Each one is based on prices, forecasts, battery state, load, and constraints at that exact moment.When a report says something like:<ul><li>“It happened overnight”</li><li>“This has happened before”</li><li>“The battery didn’t discharge enough”</li></ul>there is nothing concrete I can inspect. I cannot tell which decision you are referring to, or what you expected the system to do instead.A good problem report answers one simple question:Which interval do you think should have behaved differently, and how?That is why the in-app bug report exists. It automatically captures:<ul><li>The exact 5-minute interval</li><li>Prices and forecasts at that time</li><li>Battery SOC and power flows</li><li>The reason the system chose the action it did</li></ul>With that information, I can do one of three useful things very quickly:<ul><li>Confirm the behaviour was intentional and explain it clearly</li><li>Change the behaviour if the logic is wrong</li><li>Improve the app messaging so the confusion doesn’t happen again</li></ul>Emails with vague descriptions do not give me that leverage. The app does.<figure id="figure-5donfzxbkmjw13zt8"><img id="5donfzxbkmjw13zt8" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/eKDWnTYqRJPQ7CthGHKOLELhBeiLqKmYdXWoset3qo9QFQNxKRc7RgWVO05xPqTi.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/eKDWnTYqRJPQ7CthGHKOLELhBeiLqKmYdXWoset3qo9QFQNxKRc7RgWVO05xPqTi.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>If you want to reason about or control behaviour at the interval level yourself, that is exactly what <a data-mce-href="https://powston.com.au/blog/staying-in-my-lane--how-you-get-help--and-when-you-don-t" href="https://powston.com.au/blog/staying-in-my-lane--how-you-get-help--and-when-you-don-t">Hacker Mode</a> is for. If you just want the system to work well and improve over time, detailed problem reports are how that happens.They are not busywork. They are how the product gets better for everyone.PS: We personally read every problem report. Replies may feel “GPT-like” or a little nerdy. That’s to help translate code fixes and explain complex 5-minute decisions clearly, and we tend to think in intervals and edge cases. A human still reviews every report, and they directly feed into behaviour changes or better in-app explanations. Eventually, we want to expose the support model in the app, but for now we filter the responses to ensure they are accurate.

Why good problem reports matter (and how they help you)

There’s a lot of talk about “free power hours,” but that idea’s getting dated. If you look closely at Queensland’s price history, the real story isn’t just when power is free — it’s when you’re getting paid to use it.On the chart, those blue patches aren’t freebies — they’re profit power. Times when prices go negative and the market literally rewards you for charging your battery, heating your water, or topping up your EV. And those moments are becoming more common, not less.So yes, you can still chase the classic “free power plan” from 2017 — or you can join 2025 and start using profit power instead.<figure id="figure-qtf1v1xow7mhrdnwob" data-full-width=""><img id="qtf1v1xow7mhrdnwob" src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/dXtHbW2UmTedlB5oXyfHNQb0yaloWotb8xtFbw8pcD3t8gIkOZnUJaCv2vQD4gVo.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 45% 45%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="3:2" data-caption="Heatmap of buy prices including Ergon/Energex ToU costs" data-positionx="45%" data-positiony="45%" data-fullwidth="true" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/covers/dXtHbW2UmTedlB5oXyfHNQb0yaloWotb8xtFbw8pcD3t8gIkOZnUJaCv2vQD4gVo.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 3/2; object-position: 45% 45%;"><figcaption class="body-normal text-gray-500 mt-2">Heatmap of buy prices including Ergon/Energex ToU costs</figcaption></figure>Here’s how the pattern plays out most of the year:Best (11 AM – 4 PM): Cheapest window. Solar is strong, prices often dip below zero. Perfect for heavy loads. Good (7 AM – 11 AM): Still inexpensive. A solid backup window for flexible appliances. OK (9 PM – 4 AM): Stable overnight rates. Great for EV charging if daytime isn’t possible. Avoid (4 PM – 9 PM and 4 AM – 7 AM): The expensive shoulder periods when solar drops and demand spikes. With Powston, you can take this further — our control system reacts live to market conditions, finding those hidden “profit power” windows automatically.But even without full automation, simple timers can go a long way. For things like pools, reliability often matters more than precision — skipping cycles to save a few cents can cost much more later. Saving 15 cents in power and spending $100 at the pool shop isn’t a win.So, think less about free power. Think about smart power — and profit power.

Free Power Is So 2017 — Welcome to Profit Power

Ian Connor (Founder @ Powston) at the All Energy conference meeting with Colin Chang from Deye HQ and sharing some recent results from our South Australia test site.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-7xn9awvwxlmhear57q"><img id="7xn9awvwxlmhear57q" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/319Rig2ca1ByflNyDCvVwuuS8GMbrcmLYCitXfrjogoeqt2TXiXs8m7CqjJhN4ab.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionX="null" data-positionY="null" data-fullWidth="false"/></figure> ----------------------------------Customer Case StudyThis SA based site site has been running for less than a month (Oct 2025), during what’s usually a quiet time of year, yet it’s already generated over $285 in bill credits.<figure id="figure-ai4xep67zmhe9a7e9" class=""><img id="ai4xep67zmhe9a7e9" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2d018aJWN7T1YVswgfXyFpE0gGzULMPU1CHMmMNAQKAT8sEKdxq3rdjn2SBRpTUk.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2d018aJWN7T1YVswgfXyFpE0gGzULMPU1CHMmMNAQKAT8sEKdxq3rdjn2SBRpTUk.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>STEP 1: PLACE YOUR ORDERClick here to <a data-mce-href="https://powston.chargebee.com/hosted_pages/checkout?subscription_items%5Bitem_price_id%5D%5B0%5D=controller-management-aud-monthly&amp;subscription_items%5Bquantity%5D%5B0%5D=1&amp;layout=in_app" href="https://powston.chargebee.com/hosted_pages/checkout?subscription_items%5Bitem_price_id%5D%5B0%5D=controller-management-aud-monthly&amp;subscription_items%5Bquantity%5D%5B0%5D=1&amp;layout=in_app" title="Order Powston Controller" target="_blank" rel="noopener">order your controller!</a>STEP 2: Connect Powston to DEYEWithin the Deye app, here is how to authorize the plant for Powston.<figure id="figure-73egbzx2kemhe8smbf" data-full-width=""><img id="73egbzx2kemhe8smbf" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/dsCgV0eGPpYQsRHr4MUCJ5zFCnkzPwWLBFWiN2wTo8KuDcn5LYk6BFFeAbLT3MNm.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 25% 25%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="25%" data-positiony="25%" data-fullwidth="true" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/dsCgV0eGPpYQsRHr4MUCJ5zFCnkzPwWLBFWiN2wTo8KuDcn5LYk6BFFeAbLT3MNm.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 25% 25%;"></figure>1. Tap on a plant and enter the “Overview” page 2. In the top right corner, tap on 【Manage Access】&nbsp; 3. Press Add a new authorization to give Powston access:<figure id="figure-wiuurcrxu6mhe8ufe4" data-full-width="" class=""><img id="wiuurcrxu6mhe8ufe4" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1egbsfbwoV4D2ilxNweFOUPryfhf0MTZ2F8gP6EXILNh6n70oZItpHtO0b44vOgY.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 90%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="50%" data-positiony="90%" data-fullwidth="true" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1egbsfbwoV4D2ilxNweFOUPryfhf0MTZ2F8gP6EXILNh6n70oZItpHtO0b44vOgY.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 50% 90%;"></figure>4. Search for Powston by name and select Manager Access, and tap OK.<figure id="figure-cdlotwjanmhe8vj8y"><img id="cdlotwjanmhe8vj8y" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/10FYeW4Y2z3wOjD7H8KS80FfxEzm7JOYvgtyNW5dM3Tjh8Z6r0eLuqgshQq3NIWs.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 60% 80%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="60%" data-positiony="80%" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/10FYeW4Y2z3wOjD7H8KS80FfxEzm7JOYvgtyNW5dM3Tjh8Z6r0eLuqgshQq3NIWs.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 60% 80%;"></figure>Once you see the success, let us know your serial number by using the QR code on the powston controller as well as your NMI meter. That will allow us to check everything is reporting, online and ready to trade! STEP 3: Join a Wholesale Retailer&nbsp;Powston isn't an energy retailer, so you will still need to retain an energy retailer. Most of our customers are registered with Local Volts as they pass through the AEMO Spot prices directly to the consumer for those in QLD, NSW, ACT, SA, TAS to be elligible.&nbsp; <a data-mce-href="https://localvolts.com/register/?EntityID=21973" href="https://localvolts.com/register/?EntityID=21973" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click Here to Register with Local Volts</a>If you're an existing LocalVolts Customer, using the Talk to LocalVolts Feature send a request:"I'd like to join Powston". If you'd like to use Amber as your retailer you can follow this guide: <a href="https://powston.com.au/blog/how-to-create-an-amber-api-key-and-add-it-to-powston" data-mce-href="https://powston.com.au/blog/how-to-create-an-amber-api-key-and-add-it-to-powston">https://powston.com.au/blog/how-to-create-an-amber-api-key-and-add-it-to-powston</a> STEP 4: Wait for your controller and install it<figure id="figure-39gc7x88djmheafxaj" class=""><iframe id="39gc7x88djmheafxaj" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5l_vEsZ0rlw" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/5l_vEsZ0rlw" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5l_vEsZ0rlw" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-dashlane-frameid="3610"></iframe></figure>Step 5: Let Powston take Control Double Check you are Ready:1. Registered with LocalVolts and received the confirmation you are now on LocalVolts? 2. Added Powston as a Channel Partner? 3. Installed your Controller? 4. Confirmed you can login at app.powston.com and see your inverter?Then its time to take the next step:Email service@powston.com to let us know you are ready for Powston to take Control of your inverter!

Deye Onboarding Guide

<h3>Customer Profile</h3>Name:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;Tim Location:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Newcastle, NSW System:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 11 kW solar array + 10 kW inverter + 12.8 kWh battery Retailer:&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; LocalVolts Control System:&nbsp; &nbsp; Powston<h3>Results @ 6 Months</h3><table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="1" data-mce-style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;"> </td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">Previously</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">Now</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">Impact</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">Quarterly Bills</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">$750</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">$65</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">$685/quarter saved!</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">Feed in Tarriff</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">10c/kWh</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">39c/kWh *</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">4x better FiT!</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">PDRS Grant</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">n/a</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">$464</td><td style="width: 25%;" data-mce-style="width: 25%;">Cash in the bank!</td></tr></tbody></table>*Results (combined March – August 2025, 6 months of data inc Winter)<h3>Before&nbsp;</h3>Like many households, Tim faced rising power bills. Prior to installing his battery, he was paying $750 per quarter. He was paying 33.5c/kWh to buy energy, and receiving 10c/kWh FIT for the first 10kWh sold per day and 5c thereafter.<h3>After (adding LocalVolts + Powston + Battery)</h3>In Nov 2024, Tim installed a 12.8 kWh battery with a 10kW Inverter &amp; 11kW of Solar Panels. Shortly after, in Feb 2025, he joined Powston (for automated battery and energy market optimisation) and LocalVolts (for wholesale electricity access) with a goal to reduce the payback period for his system.Results (March – August 2025, 6 months inc Winter)<ul><li>Grid Exports: 1,375 kWh at an average of 39c/kWh → $540 in total sales</li><li>Net Energy Bill: After all purchases and fees Tim paid just $131 for 6 months</li></ul>Even through the peak winter—running electric stove and reverse-cycle air conditioning for heating—Tim’s household kept costs minimal.<figure id="figure-d7hhq1zzwqmgrgigve"><img id="d7hhq1zzwqmgrgigve" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1bBAnhj1ZT3oGYqlY7XO39P5JV0NwCzzI1nFOjsDNt4dhKSSN2ZgcBaqlLxCvRMN.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1bBAnhj1ZT3oGYqlY7XO39P5JV0NwCzzI1nFOjsDNt4dhKSSN2ZgcBaqlLxCvRMN.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure>Understanding this chart: The Net Bill represents the total costs (such as purchased energy and connection fees) minus the value of energy sold back to the grid from solar or batteries. It is based on Tim’s actual bills from LocalVolts. A negative "Net Bill" indicates a credit — money paid to Tim by LocalVolts for that month. By summing all the net Bills you get a $131 total costs to Tim. Why does it vary? Because monthly usage and market conditions fluctuate, by looking at six months of results provides a more accurate picture than focusing on a single day. Several factors drive these variations:Seasonal energy use: Winter and summer typically see higher household demand, leaving less surplus energy in the battery to sell back to the grid. Smaller batteries may also mean more energy must be purchased from the grid, increasing costs.Wholesale (spot) price volatility: Prices naturally rise and fall throughout the year depending on demand.System-wide events: Maintenance or outages of large-scale generation assets occasionally push prices higher. These events result in "Spike Prices" are relatively rare (about 20 days per year in 2024) but noticeable in bills. In short, the interaction of household consumption, battery size, seasonal patterns, and wholesale market dynamics explains why costs and sales vary from month to month.<h3>Additional Rebates &amp; Benefits</h3>Tim also applied for the NSW Peak Demand Reduction Scheme (PDRS) rebate, available to LocalVolts customers operating with Powston.Payment Received: $464 for his 12.8 kWh eligible battery capacityApproval Timeline: ~1 month for approval, plus up to 60 days for payment While modest, the rebate provided extra financial relief on top of Powston and LocalVolts’ savings.Note: The NSW PDRS Rebate is in addition to any eligible Federal rebates.<h3>Why This Matters</h3> Customers like Tim demonstrate how Powston + LocalVolts + A compatible Inverter/Battery can deliver real, measurable results:<ul><li>Automated optimisation of solar and battery resources</li><li>Access to wholesale prices through LocalVolts</li><li>Eligibility for government rebates (NSW &amp; SA) on top of Federal incentives&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>What’s Next</h3>Tim has recognised that a household solar and battery system with Powston + Localvolts is capable of delivering real value, and he is leveraging the Cheaper Home Batteries Program to increase his battery capacity to 51.2 kWh.&nbsp;Tim says: “Using Powstons Intelligent Battery control has enabled me to get more out of my Inverter/Battery System than I realised was possible when I first bought it - all while sticking within the product warranty guidelines. Paired with LocalVolts, I have been able to significantly reduce my bills, and at times receive a credit at the end of the month”<h3>Key Takeaway</h3>Tim’s story highlights how combining Powston’s intelligent control, LocalVolts’ wholesale trading access, and reliable battery technology can unlock hundreds of dollars in savings per quarter—while future-proofing against rising energy costs.If you’re a homeowner with a battery system, you may already be eligible for NSW or SA rebates, plus additional Federal incentives.Contact Powston or LocalVolts today to check your eligibility.

Case Study: Tim’s Energy Freedom with Powston & LocalVolts & NSW PDRS

<h3>Step 1: Self Qualify as a Simple Site</h3>If you have a simple site, please feel free to step through the Self Service Onboarding guide. If you have a complex site, or are not sure, please reach out on the Contact page.<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100.002%;" border="1" data-mce-style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100.002%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 33.3316%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3316%;"> </td><td style="width: 33.3316%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3316%;">Simple Sites</td><td style="width: 33.3352%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3352%;">Complex Sites</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3316%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3316%;">Inverters</td><td style="width: 33.3316%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3316%;">One Solitary Hybrid Inverter (5-30kW)</td><td style="width: 33.3352%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3352%;">Multiple Inverters, especially if Inverters are from more than one brand.</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3316%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3316%;">Batteries</td><td style="width: 33.3316%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3316%;">Battery connected to your Inverter.</td><td style="width: 33.3352%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3352%;">Batteries from a different brand to your Inverter, or Batteries not connected to your Inverter (e.g grid coupled).</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 33.3316%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3316%;">Solar Panels</td><td style="width: 33.3316%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3316%;">Solar Panels connected to your Hybrid Inverter (which is connected to your battery, or optionally with no solar Panels at all.</td><td style="width: 33.3352%;" data-mce-style="width: 33.3352%;">Solar panels running through an inverter other than your Hybrid Inverter which runs your battery.</td></tr></tbody></table>Complex Sites can still onboard, but recommended to check the best path forward first via the Contact Us page, as how many controllers you need may vary for example.<h3>Step 2: Order your Hardware &amp; Subscription</h3><a data-mce-href="https://powston.chargebee.com/hosted_pages/checkout?subscription_items%5Bitem_price_id%5D%5B0%5D=controller-management-aud-monthly&amp;subscription_items%5Bquantity%5D%5B0%5D=1&amp;layout=in_app" href="https://powston.chargebee.com/hosted_pages/checkout?subscription_items%5Bitem_price_id%5D%5B0%5D=controller-management-aud-monthly&amp;subscription_items%5Bquantity%5D%5B0%5D=1&amp;layout=in_app" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click Here to Place your Order</a>Powston's fee's and charges are as follows:&nbsp;- Hardware: $495/controller (per inverter) upfront once off &nbsp;- Subscription: $20/month<h3>Step 3: Join a Wholesale Retailer&nbsp;</h3><a data-mce-href="https://localvolts.com/register/?EntityID=21973" href="https://localvolts.com/register/?EntityID=21973" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click Here to Register with Local Volts</a>Powston isn't an energy retailer, so you will still need to retain an energy retailer. Most of our customers are registered with Local Volts as they pass through the AEMO Spot prices directly to the consumer for those in QLD, NSW, ACT, SA, TAS to be elligible.&nbsp;If you're an existing LocalVolts Customer, using the Talk to LocalVolts Feature send a request:"I'd like to join Powston". It can take up to 2 weeks for your current energy retailer to release you, continue the below steps while you wait.If you want to user another retailer (e.g. Amber, OVO etc), just let us know.<h3>Step 4: Ask your Installer to Enable Modbus</h3>Send them this video or screenshot below: <a href="https://youtu.be/WVDe20I0VrY?t=37" data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/WVDe20I0VrY?t=37">https://youtu.be/WVDe20I0VrY?t=37</a>&nbsp;Note: It is also recommended to connect your inverter via ethernet to your home network to avoid Wifi issues (e.g. low signal strength can affect performance).<figure id="figure-4kl111lc7bm9bb5gy5" class=""><img id="4kl111lc7bm9bb5gy5" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/5agluwjbeZ0v15KpovuJw457rXDdkzTLrItzU17BPPqlJDIrdbzLisTgjOMV3UHv.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/5agluwjbeZ0v15KpovuJw457rXDdkzTLrItzU17BPPqlJDIrdbzLisTgjOMV3UHv.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Step 5: Install your Controller</h3>Once you receive your controller follow this simple Installation guide, you need to plug the Powston controller into your Router using the cable provided, along with powering it with the provided USB C cable.<figure id="figure-em9krqnmm9bamq8l" class=""><iframe id="em9krqnmm9bamq8l" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mpAJtw-OraY" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpAJtw-OraY" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mpAJtw-OraY" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-dashlane-frameid="979"></iframe></figure><h3>Step 6: Get your Serial Number</h3>Login to mySigen App and navigate to the Device Screen to get the SN (Serial Number). Write it down or take a screenshot. If you have trouble ask your installer.<figure id="figure-8cdmhve8rm9baoavb" class=""><img id="8cdmhve8rm9baoavb" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/21DNWDU7pb16J4XtgDEFRCeY1f4vKkBfwmmEkpZBxh72cUFdzUXSvDQt58cKfprW.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/21DNWDU7pb16J4XtgDEFRCeY1f4vKkBfwmmEkpZBxh72cUFdzUXSvDQt58cKfprW.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure><h3>Step 7: Get the IP Address of your Inverter</h3>Login to mySigen App and navigate Settings -&gt; ... (three dots) -&gt; Connectivity -&gt; Device Tab -&gt; WLAN (or Ethernet if green) -&gt; to get the IP Address. Write it down or take a screenshot. If you have trouble ask your installer.<h3 id="figure-jh5ax8m7evm9batkzw"><img id="jh5ax8m7evm9batkzw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3ay06W816wFrmOePP6YIza2i7UdYJBKFScNgr5b4AeCqyjo0Dj06QKk801MzpVbT.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 0% 0%;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="0%" data-positiony="0%" data-fullwidth="true" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/3ay06W816wFrmOePP6YIza2i7UdYJBKFScNgr5b4AeCqyjo0Dj06QKk801MzpVbT.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: 0% 0%;"></h3><h3>Step 8: Enable Remote EMS Mode</h3>Login to mySigen App and navigate Mode -&gt; Scroll Down -&gt; Tick Remote EMS Mode&nbsp; -&gt; Save Changes. If&nbsp; you have trouble doing this ask your installer for help.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-a36kwhthysm9bb1hua" class=""><img id="a36kwhthysm9bb1hua" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/372RbQjR30vXaGxmPlYfcLtgzeQaaYcj3LPo2jaU0mcjkIwETM5I4IIBgyQypGyu.png" alt="" title="" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/372RbQjR30vXaGxmPlYfcLtgzeQaaYcj3LPo2jaU0mcjkIwETM5I4IIBgyQypGyu.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure><h3>Step 9: Tell Powston your Serial Number and IP Address&nbsp;</h3>Send an email to <a href="mailto:service@powston.com" data-mce-href="mailto:service@powston.com">service@powston.com</a> confirming 1. Your installer has enabled Modbus 2. Your Inverters IP Address 3. Your Serial Number 4. Your Powston Controller has lights on 5. You have subscribed to LocalVoltsWe will finalise the onboarding steps from our side.<h3>Step 10: Login to Powston</h3>When your account is setup we will send you an email to login to Powston.&nbsp; Login to Powston: app.powston.com&nbsp;<h3>Step 11: Review the Platform Overview</h3>Watch the Platform Overview to learn how to use the Powston Platform: <figure id="figure-s80u0f22rm9bbfr8j" class=""><iframe id="s80u0f22rm9bbfr8j" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1XzB19jI4k8" class="w-full bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" allowfullscreen="" data-url="https://youtu.be/1XzB19jI4k8" data-corners="default" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1XzB19jI4k8" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-dashlane-frameid="980"></iframe></figure>

Sigenstore/Sigenergy Self-Service Onboarding

Powston

Powston is an Australian energy technology company transforming how households and businesses use and profit from renewable energy. Our AI-driven platform and plug-and-play controller connect batteries, solar, and smart devices directly to the 5-minute wholesale energy market. This lets customers cut their electricity bills, optimise consumption, and even earn revenue—without relying on traditional retailers or Virtual Power Plants.
With integrations across leading brands like Sungrow, SAJ, iStore, Powston empowers users with real-time energy monitoring, cost optimisation, and automation tools for appliances, EVs, and backup planning.
Headquartered in Brisbane, Powston is committed to building a more sustainable future by enabling everyday Australians to reduce environmental impact while achieving financial independence from power bills

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