Since 2021, SA Power Networks has been trialling our innovative Flexible Exports connection for new and upgrading small embedded generation customers.

Trial Status

Flexible Exports allows compatible smart inverters to access a variable export limit that automatically adjusts to the export capacity of the local network throughout the day.

In congested parts of our network where the Flexible Exports connection option is available, new or upgrading customers have a choice between a: 

• Flexible export limit that varies between 1.5kW and 10kW per phase 
• Fixed export limit of 1.5kW per phase.  

Flexible Exports has been a popular choice for customers in these areas. So far, 

• 328 customers have signed up to Flexible Exports Connection Offers 
• 96 unique solar retailers have signed customers up to the offer 
• On average, participating customers have more than doubled their exports compared to the 1.5kW static export limit

What customers and installers are saying about Flexible Exports?

We’ve had great support from solar retailers, installers and customers for the Flexible Exports concept.

Darren is a Flexible Exports customer who has a 10kW system with 8.2kW compatible inverter. He said he is very happy with the benefits he is receiving from his Flexible Exports. Read Darren’s experience of Flexible Exports. 

Eddy is a managing director of an Adelaide-based solar company. He said Flexible Exports had proven successful so far and that customers who had chosen Flexible Exports had been able to export more power to the grid and financially better off, thanks to smart inverter technology. Read more. 

We plan to add more case studies to share real customer experience and opinions based on the industry feedback. We hope these will help you in your conversations with customers about Flexible Exports.  

Flexible Exports Eligibility Checker

Flexible Exports is available in parts of 47 suburbs. Using the Eligibility Checker available on our website, anyone can check if their properties are eligible for Flexible Exports without having to create an application in SmartApply. All you need is an address or NMI, and you will find out instantly if your customer can take advantage of Flexible Exports.

Dynamic Export Requirements & Flexible Exports connection option rollout 

SA Government has announced the new regulations which will be introduced in July 2023. They will require most new and upgrade exporting solar generation systems to be capable of remotely updating their export limits. This regulatory change means that solar systems installed from this date will have capability required to support SA Power Networks’ Flexible Exports connection option.

In conjunction with the new regulation, 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 more Dynamic Exports capable inverters become available.

We’re holding a free industry webinar to provide an update on Flexible Exports connection rollout on Thursday 16 February 2023, 12-1pm. Register to attend today!

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. Subscribe to our industry communications.

When will more inverter manufactures support Flexible Exports?

As part of the regulatory changes, the SA Government has assigned SA Power Networks to be the body to test and certify solar inverters to meet the dynamic exports requirements until a national body is established to undertake testing and certification process.

SA Power Networks have been working with inverter manufacturers and Original Equipment Manufacturers to bring the technology onboard. We expect to see more manufacturers to become compatible soon, and more will progressively become compatible leading up to July 2023.

So far, over 25 vendors are enrolled in testing environment or in a process of developing their technologies. This represents more than 97% of solar inverter market share in SA. Please reach out to your inverter manufacturers to spread the word. If they want to find out more information about technical requirements, please ask them to email us to dynamicexportscertification@sapowernetworks.com.au.

The pioneering work on trialling and rolling out Flexible Exports in South Australia has led to the national Energy Security Board (ESB) proposing to adopt this capability nation-wide in 2024. Read more about this here.

Got questions?

Contact us by

• email at newenergyservices@sapowernetworks.com.au
• or call us on 13 12 61 (press option 2) during Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.