State authorities are giving themselves the power to switch off rooftop solar panels when the grid is under stress. 

Western Australia has joined South Australia in granting itself the authority to turn off household solar systems if the electricity network is deemed to be under severe stress.

WA Energy Minister Bill Johnston says the state will take a “scalpel rather than a shotgun” to the challenges posed by surging solar output.

The new regulations require customers installing new or upgraded solar panels to have inverters that allow them to be switched off remotely in emergency situations.

Such circumstances should only occur a few times a year and last for only a few hours, the minister says. 

Mr Johnston predicts other states would soon follow with regulations of their own.

“Anywhere like Queensland that has high levels of rooftop solar will almost certainly follow down this pathway,” he said.

“It's a sensible solution to a new problem. It allows more solar panels to be installed, and it allows that to benefit the whole community.”