In response to SA Power Networks and industry feedback on readiness, the Minister for Energy and Mining has officially delayed the start date of the Dynamic Export requirements from 1 December 2022 to 1 July 2023.

In addition, the Office of the Technical Regulator (OTR) has updated the export limiting methods and remoted updating methods Technical Regulator Guidelines to incorporate feedback provided by the industry.

What will change from 1 July 2023?

As part of Smarter Homes Program, The Government of South Australia is introducing Dynamic Export Requirements, requiring most new and upgrade exporting solar generation systems to be capable of remotely updating their export limits. 

These new requirements apply to:

• Small embedded generation (SEG) systems with a total capacity no greater than 30kVA, and
• Medium embedded generation (MEG) systems with a total capacity between 31kVA in capacity up to 200kVA of export, i.e. those not requiring SCADA connections.

Note: These regulations require these installations to be capable of dynamic exports. Customers may optionally choose to sign up to SA Power Networks Flexible Exports connection option if they are eligible.

To comply with the new regulations:

• You will need to sell and install a complying dynamic export-capable inverter listed in the Clean Energy Council’s accredited inverter list and appearing in SA Power Networks SmartApply. 
• The system will need to be set up and configured such that all solar inverters respond to the site-wide flexible export limit.
• For customers who sign up to the Flexible Exports connection offer, the site will need to be registered with SA Power Networks and pass the onsite Dynamic Export Capability Test as part of commissioning. This test will:
  • Ensure the site is correctly receiving and responding to the site-wide export limit.
  • Provide installers feedback on whether the site is registered and functioning correctly before they leave site.

Installations exempt from the new regulations:

• Zero export: any system permanently configured for zero export is exempt from the new requirements. This means that you can continue to sell and install any inverter on the CEC accredited list if the customer does not want to export.
• Battery systems: exemptions apply for battery storage systems until 1 March 2024

After this date, all new battery installations must use dynamic export capable batteries and pass the onsite Dynamic Export Capability Test as part of commissioning. The table below provides clarification on which battery systems require compliance on which dates.

Want more information?

• Information for installers
• Email otr.smarterhomes@sa.gov.au or call 08 8226 2108 (Monday to Friday, 9am-4:30pm)

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Upcoming news – Flexible Exports offering to be expanded

Flexible Exports connection option rollout

We plan to rollout the Flexible Exports connection option to more areas to increase eligibility for new or upgrading customers across 2023 and 2024, once dynamic export-capable inverters become available. We are currently working through the details, including:

• area sequencing for the rollout of the Flexible Exports connection offer;
• expected export service levels for participating customers;
• timing for installer training modules and in-person Original Equipment Manufacturers training sessions;
• introducing a Flexible Exports trial for MEG (total capacity between 31-200kVA) ahead of the regulatory requirements coming into effect.

We have provided an update on these items at a free industry webinar on Wednesday 16 February 2023, 12-1pm.

Details will also appear on our website, and we’ll let you know what’s happening through our regular channels including Notice to Industry and The Fuse.

Where can I find out more information on Flexible Exports?

More information, FAQs, videos and infographics on Flexible Exports are available on our website:

• Information for installers
• Information for customers

For assistance with the SmartApply and SmartInstall, read our ‘How-go guides’.

Once we know more details, we will update our website, and let you know via Notice to Industry and our quarterly industry update The Fuse. Email us to subscribe or call us on 13 12 61 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).  

Related articles
•    Flexible Exports now offered in additional areas with more compatible equipment (January 2022)
•    Flexible Exports Trial go live 23 September 2021 (September 2021)
•    Upcoming changes to small embedded generation connections (April 2021) 
•    Trial aims to help support more solar (October 2020)