FAQ's

Lot owners can agree to provide access to their roof space for Ocean Reef Renewable Energy to install Ocean Reef Renewable Energy solar panels. These lot owners will be deemed to have ‘Opted-In’. The Ocean Reef Renewable Energy solar panels are owned and maintained by Ocean Reef Renewable Energy (a Zenith Energy subsidiary). The solar energy will flow into a community distribution network and battery storage, which then provides electricity to Ocean Reef Marina homes.  There is a connection to the SWIS to supplement Marina sourced power.

As an owner of any residential property in Ocean Reef Marina, you may choose to "opt in" to host Ocean Reef Renewable Energy solar panels on your roof. In return for you agreeing to host Ocean Reef Renewable Energy solar panels, you get access to discounted electricity supply from Ocean Reef Renewable Energy (terms and conditions apply), compared to electricity supplied by Synergy at its regulated/gazetted A1 tariff (as adjusted from time to time). The discount is presently 20% off the consumption component of the Ocean Reef Renewable Energy A1 rate (which is equal to the Synergy rate).

Residents will enjoy the benefits, while making a sustainable choice, without the installation and maintenance costs normally incurred when installing solar on their homes.

There are no upfront or maintenance costs to homeowners (to Opt In to Solar).

The average home consumes 17 kWh per day which equates to an electricity cost of approximately $5.10 at the currently gazetted A1 tariff. The average power consumption per year (excluding fixed charges) is $1,861, so a 20% saving equates to $372 per annum.  

There is also the added saving of not having to pay for the installation of Ocean Reef Renewable Energy solar panels. An average system could cost around $6,000-$8,000. You may also consider the savings of not having to maintain the system yourself which particularly in a coastal suburb, can add up quickly.  

The 20% saving can be adjusted from time to time in accordance with applicable terms and conditions.

There are circumstances under which we can reduce the discount where our costs increase, but you will never pay more than the Synergy A1 tariff.

These Ocean Reef Renewable Energy panels will not be located in a street facing position to maintain the aesthetic of your home. Ocean Reef Renewable Energy will work with your builder to understand the layout of your roof and minimize any impact to other fixtures as may exist. Ocean Reef Renewable Energy will ask that you do not intentionally shade the Ocean Reef Renewable Energy panels.

If you have already opted in, the new owner either has the option to continue enjoying the benefits of participation as you have or may elect to opt out in which case costs of removal of Ocean Reef Renewable Energy solar panels and inverter will apply upon application to Ocean Reef Renewable Energy.

If you have not opted in and the new owner wishes to do so they may join the community energy sharing network at that time.  

At Ocean Reef Marina, you will be supplied electricity by Ocean Reef Renewable Energy at its standard residential tariff which is matched to the Synergy A1 tariff.

Yes, you can opt-out at any time. Please note that the cost of removing the panels will be at your expense and Ocean Reef Renewable Energy will require your agreement to a quoted price prior to us actioning any removal request.

If you opt-out, you also lose the Ocean Reef Renewable Energy discount.

You will need to get permission from Ocean Reef Renewable Energy to ensure your installation is safe for your home and your neighbours’ electricity supply via the community energy sharing network. You will be charged for power from Ocean Reef Renewable Energy at its standard rate, which is matched to the Synergy A1 residential tariff

Where Ocean Reef Renewable Energy needs to access your property for routine maintenance and inspection, Ocean Reef Renewable Energy will endeavour to notify you 72-hours in advance to arrange a time convenient to yourself. If a circumstance arises that may threaten property or livelihoods, Ocean Reef Renewable Energy will waive this notification period, in line with its standard form contract and Emergency Management Plan. Our top priority is the safety of yourself and your family.

Your ‘Opt-In’ Agreement and retail Electricity Supply Agreement both provide instructions on how to notify Ocean Reef Renewable Energy of any enquiry or complaint you have in respect to your service. Ocean Reef Renewable Energy also has Financial Hardship and Family Violence policies to ensure that if you have any difficulties in your personal circumstances, Ocean Reef Renewable Energy can help to support you towards better times. 

Ocean Reef Renewable Energy operates under an electricity distribution license and a retail license and will be regulated by the Economic Regulation Authority to ensure it meets the defined standards in the same way as Western Power and Synergy. Ocean Reef Renewable Energy is further a member organisation of the Energy and Water Ombudsman Western Australia. The Energy and Water Ombudsman Western Australia is an independent, impartial body that investigates and resolves complaints about electricity, gas, and water providers. Our services are free and available to everyone. 

Yes, you can change electricity retailer to an alternative ERA licenced retailer provided that the licenced retailer agrees to Ocean Reef Renewable Energy's terms of access to microgrid electricity. An alternative ERA licenced retailer will need to engage with Ocean Reef Renewable Energy. 

If you change your retailer, the discount from Ocean Reef Renewable Energy will not be available.

Customer choice is a core value for Ocean Reef Renewable Energy.

In light of this, we provide access to microgrid energy for on-supply by any licenced third-party retailer you might prefer to buy electricity from, provided that those retailers agree to our terms of access.

How it works

If you want to buy microgrid electricity from another licenced retailer, please ask the retailer to contact us and we can explain how things work.

In summary:

• We offer “wholesale” microgrid electricity under the Microgrid Electricity Transfer Access Contract (or METAC). To sell electricity to consumers at Ocean Reef Marina, a third-party retailer will be offered supply on the basis of the METAC. Our METAC applies an “industry standard” approach to access terms and conditions with which licenced retailers should be familiar.

• We provide metering services to third party retailers under our standard terms, which will apply under the Metering Code.

• We invoice a third-party retailer for electricity supplied to Ocean Reef Marina customers, which is then on-sold to Ocean Reef Marina customers by that third party retailer.

Small print

The small print for third party retailers is below, and can be found on our Small Print page:

• METAC
• MSLA,
• Metrology Procedure via the ERA website.

Visit the Temporary Power Supply page on the Residential or Business menu.

Visit the Payment Options page on the Residential or Business menu.

If you are experiencing Financial Hardship, please visit our Financial Hardship page for more information.