Our world-first smart solar technology gives you more
- South Australia leads the world when it comes to solar energy.
- SA Power Networks wants even more South Australians to be able to share in the benefits of solar.
What is the Flexible Exports option?
The Flexible Exports option is world-first smart solar technology giving South Australians the potential to make the most out of their solar systems.
When you install a new solar inverter, you can opt to have a fixed export limit (a static export of 1.5kW, or zero exports), or you can choose flexible exports. When you choose to opt in to or switch to Flexible Exports, an internet-connected inverter lets you export up to 10kW back to the grid per phase.
How the technology works: Fixed vs Flexible Exports
Fixed Exports |
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| ON — sending back a fixed and limited amount of energy to the grid 100% the time, up to 1.5kW per phase OR OFF, no export into the grid. |
Flexible Exports |
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| The dynamic Flexible Exports option is adjustable, meaning exports can be turned up or down, depending on the need of the State at the time. Exports will be turned down when there is an excess of energy on the grid, and will be turned up to the systems full export capacity, up to 10kW, at all other times. |
Get more information and check if your property is currently eligible for Flexible Exports
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Flexible Exports brochure |
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Is your property eligible? |
"Let’s double our energy from the sun."
While it's always best to use as much solar energy as you can in-house, the smart Flexible Exports option enables new and upgrading customers to export any surplus, up to 10kW per phase from their solar panels, double the current standard export limit, into the network.
Why Flexible Exports?
Click to expand the sections below for more information on how and why we create the Flexible Exports option.
It turns out you can have too much of a good thing. The network can only accommodate so much surplus energy, so when there is a sunny but mild spring day, this excess solar energy is generated but not used.
And this isn’t just a problem in South Australia - it’s becoming an issue in many other places too.
We want as many South Australians to enjoy the benefits of solar as possible, so we found a way to continue to support customers up taking renewable energy across the state.
Until Flexible Exports was introduced, the solution was to place low or zero limits on solar exports — so each home could only export small amounts of solar, if at all, to accommodate more solar on the network.
This is the option is called fixed exports.
Fixed exports waste valuable solar energy. They don’t give you the best value for money and reduce the broader benefits of solar.
SA Power Networks has developed world-leading technology to stretch solar further. We’ve called this option Flexible Exports.
It’s an option that’s:
- New, smart and innovative
- Designed to positively impact the future of energy worldwide and
- Developed right here in South Australia.
How can Flexible Exports give us all more energy from the sun without changes to the network?
It’s sometimes easier to think of these different kinds of solar energy options like light switches.
The fixed export limit option is like a regular light switch:
It’s either on (sending back a fixed and limited amount of energy to the grid all the time) or it’s completely off.
The new Flexible Exports option is more like a dimmer switch:
The Flexible Exports option is adjustable — so think of a dimmer switch that can be smartly turned up or down according to need.
This adjustable ‘dimmer switch’ allows more solar to be connected to the network, with direct benefits for you and a brighter future for South Australia.
What customers have to say
During the Flexible Exports trial period we asked some of our early users what they thought of Flexible Exports.
Read more about Darren's experience with Flexible Exports during our trial period in 2022.
What do I need to get started?
A compatible inverter
Compliant to SA Government dynamic exports requirements from 1 July 2023, Making Flexible Exports best suited to customers who are upgrading or installing new solar systems.
Reliable internet connection
Compatible Flexible Exports systems are required to be connected to the internet to allow for automatic adjustments to optimise the amount of solar energy that can be exported to the grid.
Live in an eligible area
By mid-2025 all areas will be able to access Flexible Exports. If you live in a currently ineligible area and decide to install your solar now, you can still opt into Flexible Exports to receive its benefits once it becomes available in your area.
Who should I contact?
SA Power Networks works with your solar retailers or installers during the installation process to ensure that your new or upgraded solar system is compliant with the latest SA Government Dynamic Export Guidelines.
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Your local Solar Retailer or Installer |
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| Speaking to a local solar retailer or installer is the best first step, they will fully explain the Flexible Exports options to you and will be able to tailor a solution which will work best for your requirements and property configuration. | |
| Customer Services Team | |
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| If you require further support, you can also reach out to our Customer Services Team by email . | |
Need more information?
Please review the below Frequently Asked Questions for more information. If you still have further questions please speak to your solar retailer or contact us.
To coincide with the SA Government Dynamic Export requirements that went live on 1 July 2023, SA Power Networks has Flexible Exports as a standard connection option.
Following a trial with 37 suburbs, the rollout commenced on 1 July 2023, we are now expanding across the state, with the intention to have Flexible Exports rolled out state-wide by mid-2025.
Flexible Exports will be offered to customers in selected areas, until the full roll out is complete in mid 2025, who are looking to connect new solar to the network, or who are upgrading or making significant changes to their current solar systems. For existing solar customers, your current arrangements will not change until you alter your system and you're in an eligible area of the network.
Speak to your solar installer – they can help you to understand your options and how Flexible Exports could benefit you.
No. You can choose to have a zero export, a fixed export limit of 1.5kW, or Flexible Exports up to 10kW (depending on your installed system and what your area of the network can accommodate).
New regulations introduced by the South Australian Government mean that any exporting solar system installed from 1 July 2023 must be compatible with Flexible Exports. Talk to your installer to ensure they set up your system correctly at time of installation.
In the event of an internet outage, the solar exports will ramp down to 1.5kW until the internet connection comes back online. Ensuring to set up and maintain a reliable internet connection will maximise the benefits you receive. Your solar installer will advise on the best method of internet connection when they discuss the options with you.
With the Flexible Exports option, you should be able to export more than the fixed 1.5kW export option. Outcomes will vary with the network location, inverter capacity and the reliability of your internet connection. Past performance of Flexible Exports at your location will be available in the Eligibility Checker.
Your solar installer will help you work out the most cost-efficient solution from the range of options and equipment available.
Flexible Exports will allow you to export the maximum amount that the network and your inverter can handle - from 1.5kW up to 10kW per phase throughout the day, automatically adjusted to match the available capacity of the local network in your area. This can be impacted by the size of your system (including inverter capacity), the amount of solar in your area, and reliability of your internet connection.
Most electricity retailers offer different feed-in tariffs as part of their energy plans. Go to Australian Government’s Energy Made Easy website to find the best offer for you.
The offer will be rolled out suburb by suburb and we expect that it will be available in all suburbs by mid 2025.
For existing solar customers, your current arrangements will not change until you upgrade your system.
Use Flexible Exports Eligibility Checker to find out if Flexible Exports is available in your area.