Testing and commissioning services

Solar Farm HV Commissioning Services Australia

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Talk to an engineer: 1300 730 499 or service@megavar.com.au

Independent HV Commissioning for Utility-Scale Solar Projects

Australia’s utility-scale solar sector has deployed over 20 GW of capacity, with projects ranging from 5 MW community solar through to 500 MW+ installations. Each project requires rigorous HV commissioning of the electrical balance of plant (EBoP) to ensure safe energisation, grid compliance, and long-term reliability. Megavar provides independent solar farm HV commissioning services covering the complete EBoP scope from MV reticulation through to the grid connection substation.

ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certifiedLicensed in every Australian stateTeams in Hobart, Launceston, Adelaide and Newcastle

Solar Farm Maintenance and Testing Australia

What We Commission on Solar Farms

Grid connection substation – HV switchgear, power transformers, protection relays, CTs, VTs, earthing, SCADA, and communications. Full scope as per our HV Substation Commissioning service.
MV switchgear and ring main units – Testing of 22 kV and 33 kV switchgear across the collector network.
Inverter step-up transformers – TTR, winding resistance, insulation resistance, vector group verification.
MV/HV cable systems – Insulation resistance, VLF withstand (where applicable), and sheath integrity testing.
Protection systems – Secondary injection of all protection relays including overcurrent, earth fault, differential, anti-islanding (81O/81U, ROCOF, vector shift), and NER protection.
SCADA and plant controller integration – Verification of data flow from inverter SCADA through plant controller to NSP/AEMO control room. Active power control, reactive power control, and frequency response validation.
Earthing system – Earth grid resistance, step and touch potential, and bonding continuity across the solar farm.

What We Commission on Solar Farms

Grid Compliance and AEMO Hold-Point Testing

For NEM-connected solar farms, Megavar executes AEMO R1 and R2 hold-point tests to demonstrate compliance with generator performance standards (GPS). This includes active power capacity and ramp rate testing, reactive power capability envelope verification, voltage control and power factor regulation, frequency response (mandatory PFR, contingency FCAS), and fault ride-through demonstration.

Inverter OEM Experience

Our commissioning engineers work across all major inverter platforms deployed in the Australian solar market, including SMA, Sungrow, Huawei, SolarEdge, Power Electronics, TMEIC, and GE. We maintain constructive working relationships with inverter OEM commissioning teams while providing independent verification.

Why Independent Solar Farm Commissioning?

When the EPC that builds the solar farm also commissions it, there is an inherent conflict of interest. Megavar’s independent commissioning ensures that construction defects, wiring errors, and configuration issues are identified by an impartial party before energisation – protecting the asset owner’s investment and ensuring the project achieves its contracted performance.

Why Choose Megavar for Solar Farm HV Commissioning?

National Reach & Experience: Providing expert HV commissioning services across Australia, including Northern Territory and ACT.
Proven Track Record: Trusted by renewable energy developers and grid operators.
Comprehensive Testing & Compliance: Ensuring high-voltage systems meet all safety and performance standards.
Minimised Risk & Downtime: Reducing the likelihood of faults, inefficiencies, and regulatory issues.
Ongoing Technical Support: Assisting with post-commissioning troubleshooting and system optimisation.

Partner with Megavar for expert solar farm HV commissioning. Our team ensures your high-voltage infrastructure is compliant, efficient, and built for long-term reliability.

Contact us today to discuss your HV commissioning requirements!

Take it to your team

Capability statement

Substation Commissioning Management

Commissioning strategy, inspection and test plans, hold points, energisation and handover under one accountable manager.

Capability statement

High-Voltage Testing, Commissioning and Maintenance Services

Primary plant testing, protection and SCADA commissioning, substation maintenance and the design capability behind them.

Clients

What our clients say

The Megavar team demonstrate professionalism and excellence in all aspects of HV electrical commissioning. It’s great to work with the team with the high standards of quality and safety that you would expect when dealing with complex high voltage installations, the experienced Megavar team has been exactly what was needed for project delivery.

Russell CunninghamCommissioning Manager | Fluence Energy

Megavar are industry leaders in HV commissioning services, offering high quality commissioning services. They are experts in high voltage commissioning services, and their work is always on time, on budget and to the highest quality.

Shaun ColtonEngineering Manager Substations & BESS, Downer Group

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions Solar Farm HV Commissioning

What does solar farm HV commissioning include?

Solar farm HV commissioning covers the complete electrical balance of plant (EBoP): grid connection substation, MV switchgear and collector network, inverter step-up transformers, MV/HV cables, protection systems, SCADA, plant controller integration, and earthing. It culminates in AEMO R1/R2 hold-point testing and supported energisation.

Does Megavar perform AEMO R1/R2 testing for solar farms?

Yes. R1/R2 hold-point testing is a core part of our solar farm commissioning scope. We prepare test procedures, execute the tests, and provide the documentation required by AEMO and the NSP.

What inverter brands does Megavar work with?

We work across all major inverter OEMs: SMA, Sungrow, Huawei, SolarEdge, Power Electronics, TMEIC, and GE.

How long does solar farm HV commissioning take?

Typically 3–6 weeks for a 100–200 MW solar farm, depending on the number of inverter stations, substation complexity, and grid compliance testing requirements.

Does Megavar commission solar farms nationally?

Yes. We commission solar farms across all states and territories from our offices in Tasmania, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

ISO Certified and Licensed in Every State

Megavar is certified to ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 45001 (safety), and holds electrical contractors licences in every Australian state.

Ready to commission your substation? Contact Megavar today on 1300 730 499 or visit our contact page to request a quote.

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1300 730 499 service@megavar.com.au Hobart · Launceston · Adelaide · Newcastle · Gladstone

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