SA Power Networks is continuing to roll out the flexible exports offer progressively across the state.

On 19 November we made flexible exports available in remaining metropolitan areas, as well as a number of regional towns. The list of new areas now eligible for flexible exports was shared in this notice to industry. 

As of mid-November, 70% of the state is now eligible to access flexible exports for new and upgrading residential solar installations. The full list of flexible exports-eligible areas is available on our website. 

We are currently working through the specific needs and requirements for non-metropolitan areas including those on SWER lines, to ensure our offering for these areas is fit-for-purpose.

Don’t let your compliance slip: handy hints 

The CER compliance program has been co-designed with the solar industry, so that knowledge, skills, and awareness around the importance of compliance, processes and standards are built from the ground up.  

As a reminder, we have rolled out compliance requirements from stages 1-3 as shown below: 

As we continue the roll out of flexible exports, it’s important to stay on top of your compliance percentage to ensure it doesn’t drop below the 90% benchmark. 

Some handy hints to stay compliant: 

• Ensure inverter firmware is updated to the latest version (fixed or flexible sites).  
• Ensure OEM guides are followed for their specific flexible exports set-up. These are updated from time to time so it's worth checking in to see if new versions are available 
• For multi-inverter setups where both inverters are flexible capable, please check with the manufacturer to confirm if and how these can be connected to support flexible export limits. Note only one Flexible Exports Connection is accepted per NMI. 
• Ensure you also set export limits correctly for fixed export sites. 
• If you need further assistance, reach out to the OEM while you are on-site. 

Don’t forget, you can always check for any requests that need attention through the SmartSA portal. Just head to the non-compliant tab of your Requests page to view this list. 

More information about CER Compliance is available on the SA Power Networks website. 

NB: ‘CER’ stands for ‘Consumer Energy Resources’ and is an interchangeable, but more modern, term for DER (‘Distributed Energy Resources’). Both terms refer to small-scale appliances or devices on the customer-side of the meter, that are capable of generating or exporting electricity. This includes rooftop solar, batteries, EVs, etc. 

Interoperability standards: working towards seamless CER integration 

SA Power Networks is keen to make sure that in the long term, connecting to CER and smart home appliances is as easy as possible. That’s why we’re actively working on the adoption of consistent standards for how inverters, EV chargers, and other appliances communicate with each other.  

This concept of using standardised, openly available communication methods to connect devices together is called interoperability, and we think mandating interoperability will ensure customers can get the most out of their devices. 

In the long run, a nation-wide interoperability standard will mean that installing and connecting to many different devices will be easier and more powerful, because the communication methods used will be shared across every make and model. This will also allow any combination of devices to be connected together into a home energy management system, unlocking even more benefit for the end customer. 

To achieve this, SA Power Networks is working with many industry groups across Australia to design a fit-for-purpose interoperability standard that covers PV and battery inverters, EV chargers (including V2G), and smart appliances. Other groups contributing to the standard include device manufacturers, energy retailers, networks, technical academics, and technical regulators.