Poland plans remote control access to home solar systems

Poland’s Ministry of Energy has published a draft regulation that could significantly expand the powers of grid operators over residential solar installations.

Under the proposal, operators would gain the ability to monitor and remotely manage photovoltaic (PV) systems ranging from 0.8 kW to 50 kW. The rules are intended to improve grid stability as the number of prosumers continues to grow, but many solar owners are concerned about how much control they could lose over their own installations.

According to the draft, operators would be able to monitor PV systems in real time and manage key operating parameters such as active power, reactive power, and power factor through a device installed at the owner’s property.

Starting in 2028, new and upgraded installations would be required to support communication standards such as RS485 with the SunSpec protocol (or another standard specified by the operator). Systems would also need to maintain a tamper-proof log of configuration changes.

The proposal would require homeowners to provide access to communication interfaces and ensure power is available for operator-installed control equipment.

One of the most controversial provisions would allow operators to temporarily disconnect a solar installation from the grid under certain circumstances, including:

• If the installation does not comply with technical requirements.
• If it poses a risk to grid stability.
• If remote shutdown is not possible when required.
• If the owner refuses to install the operator’s control device.
• If communication with the operator’s monitoring system is interrupted.

The draft also gives operators the right to inspect various parts of a prosumer’s installation, including protection systems, connection points, communication devices, and inverter settings.

Supporters argue that the changes are necessary to maintain grid reliability as Poland’s solar sector continues to expand. Critics, however, warn that the proposal could shift too much control from homeowners to grid operators, potentially undermining the original idea of energy independence that encouraged millions of people to invest in solar power and battery storage.

The regulation is currently only a draft and remains under consultation. No final decision has been made yet.