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 from 1 July 2023.

To coincide with these requirements, on 1 July 2023, SA Power Networks will commence the progressive rollout of Flexible Exports as a standard connection option. The Flexible Exports option allows sites in eligible areas to export up to 10kW per phase (subject to the customer’s network location, installed inverter capacity and the reliability of the customer’s internet connection). All dynamic export capable inverters that meet the SA Government Regulations will be compatible with the Flexible Exports offer. 

The rollout will commence on 1 July beginning with 37 suburbs currently in the Flexible Exports trial area, and will be expanded to more suburbs in the Cities of Mitcham and Onkaparinga in the following months. Our intention is to have Flexible Exports rolled out state-wide by mid-2024.  

What do I need to do from 1 July 2023? 

Check the solar export options available in your customers’ location: 

• Use the Eligibility Checker to see if Flexible Exports is available in the customers’ area. 
• Customers within eligible suburbs can select from either:  
  • Flexible Exports (1.5-10kW per phase) or; 
  • Fixed Exports (1.5kW per phase) 
• Customers outside eligible areas: 
  • Get access to Fixed Exports (5kW per phase) 
  • May opt-in to Flexible Exports once it becomes available in their area 
• Past performance of Flexible Exports at a customer’s location will be available in the Eligibility Checker. We recommend using this as part of your sales conversation to help your customer understand what Flexible Exports means for them. 
• Ensure you discuss the option to later enrol in Flexible Exports with customers not currently in eligible suburbs. If they wish to opt in, you should ensure their system is setup to enable ease of transition. 

Comply with the Dynamic Export Requirements: 

• Every exporting system you submit a connection application for from 1 July 2023 must be dynamic exports capable. To be considered dynamic exports capable, a site: 
  • Must only include certified dynamic exports capable inverters from the Clean Energy Council’s (CEC) inverter list or those listed on SA Power Networks’ Deemed to comply list (as part of the transitional arrangement until 1 April 2024).  (No longer available)
  • May require a gateway device or additional hardware to achieve flexible exports communications. Consult the CEC list or your manufacturer for more information. 
  • Must have the capability to monitor the site-wide export (usually achieved through an export monitoring device or CT clamp). 
• SmartApply will be updated from 1 July 2023 to make it easier for you to submit applications. It will prompt you to choose the appropriate inverters and equipment required based on the chosen export option.  
• For sites where the Flexible Exports option is selected, you will need to: 
  • Register the system with SA Power Networks based on the inverter manufacturers specific process. Links to user guides and training materials for compatible brands will also become available through free training course available through CEC Learning Hub “What you need to know about Flexible Exports – South Australia (learnbook.com.au)” at the manufacturers’ discretion.  
  • Complete the onsite capability test within SmartInstall. You will be prompted to complete this short test before you close out the site in SmartInstall to confirm the system is operating correctly. 

Installations exempt from the regulations: 

• Zero export: any system permanently configured for zero export is exempt from the new requirements. Zero export systems will not be able to opt into Flexible Exports later unless they install compatible equipment – ensure you discuss this with your customer. 
• Battery systems: exemptions apply for battery storage systems until 1 March 2024. Some examples of how this applies include: 
  • Installation of a battery storage system to an existing solar installation does not require the site to be dynamic export capable. 
  • For installations including battery storage and solar (including hybrid inverters), the solar component must be dynamic exports capable, but the storage system is exempt from the requirements and can be export limited to 5kW per phase. 
• SCADA connected systems: any system with SCADA connection to SA Power Networks (typically systems >200kW export) are deemed to comply with the new requirements. 

Ensure DER compliance: 

To ensure Flexible Exports sites are operating correctly and delivering value for customers, systems will be considered non-compliant if: 

• The device has been registered, but hasn’t passed the capability test. 
• Installation hasn’t been closed out in SmartInstall.  

Non-compliant Flexible Exports sites will contribute to your overall compliance percentage. Check out the DER compliance page. It provides you with all the information you need to know to achieve compliance. 

Flexible Exports trial for clustered small-embedded generation (SEG) systems 

We’re working to enable customers in certain SEG clustered arrangements (typically strata, community title or lifestyle villages) to opt for a trial Flexible Export offer as an alternative to being assessed as a medium embedded generator. Read more about that here. 
 

What can I do now? 

Training 

• Watch our industry webinar, covering the end-to-end process of commissioning, registering, closing out and testing a Flexible Exports system. 
• Undertake free training courses to achieve up to 60 CPD points. In partnership with the Clean Energy Council, we developed two free courses, available by logging into the Clean Energy Council’s Learning Hub. Lookout for:  
  • What you need to know about Flexible Exports – South Australia (30 Core CPD points)  
  • The updated Embedded Generation Compliance for SA (30 Core CPD points)  
  • To enrol, enter the enrolment key “SAPNtraining”. Please contact education@cleanenergycouncil.org.au for support. 
• Attend a free face-to-face training. In partnership with Smart Energy Council, we will host a training session on 24 July, covering inverter manufacturer specific installation information on how to install dynamic export capable equipment and successfully commission Flexible Exports sites. Look out for more information.    

Online resources 

• Check out Dynamic Export Limit requirements page and the Technical Regulator Guidelines on the SA Government regulatory requirements. 
• For more information including FAQs, view Flexible Exports page. Will be providing further updates as we go. 
• Check out the DER compliance page. It provides you with all the information you need to know to achieve compliance. 
• For assistance with the SmartApply and SmartInstall, read our ‘How-to guides’. 

Support 

• Contact your inverter manufacturers’ support lines. 
• Email New Energy Services newenergyservices@sapowernetworks.com.au or call us on 13 12 61 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).   
• Subscribe to our industry updates. 

Related articles 

• Introducing consequences for non-compliant DER installations from 19 May 2023 (April 2023) 
• Flexible Exports will be available to more residential customers from July (March 2023) 
• 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)