What a stand-alone power system is
On farms at the end of long rural lines, a single property can be served by kilometres of poles and wire that cost a lot to inspect, clear of trees and repair after storms. An SPS replaces that line with equipment on the property: solar panels, a battery and a diesel or gas generator for long cloudy periods, all owned and maintained by the network.
Once the SPS is working, the old line can be removed, cutting bushfire risk and maintenance costs. The network still monitors and services the system.
Western Australia's program
Western Power began with a trial on six farming properties in the Great Southern in 2016. It has since installed more than 320 units across regional WA, according to its website, including units deployed after Cyclone Seroja, and plans for up to 4,000 over the coming decade. Horizon Power, which supplies remote WA, runs many of its towns as small separate grids, or microgrids.
What changes for the customer
Customers keep their retailer and tariff. The main difference is where the power comes from, and in most cases fewer outages, because a fallen tree on a long line no longer cuts supply.
SPS or going off-grid yourself?
Network SPS
- Owned and maintained by the network
- Same tariff as grid customers
- Backup generator included
- Only offered where the network decides it makes sense
Your own off-grid system
- No supply charge
- Full control
- You pay for everything, including replacements
- You manage fuel, faults and maintenance
Common questions
A system that supplies one property with its own solar panels, batteries and a backup generator, owned and run by the electricity network, in place of a long powerline.
Under network programs, customers generally keep their retailer and pay the same tariff as other customers on the network.
Networks choose sites where an SPS is cheaper or safer than keeping a line. If you live at the end of a long rural line, ask your network whether it has a program in your area.
Once the stand-alone system is working reliably, the network can remove the line that served the property, which cuts maintenance and bushfire risk.
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the regulator or the regulated retailer. Last checked October 2026. Prices include GST unless we say otherwise.