Understanding South Australia's Flexible Exports:

Maximising Solar Power Exports

 

At Greener Housing Solutions, we are passionate about helping South Australians make the most of their solar power systems. As specialists in solar power, battery backup, electrical services, and plumbing, we know how critical it is for homeowners and businesses to maximize their energy efficiency while complying with grid regulations. That’s why we’re excited to explain SA Power Networks' Flexible Exports scheme—a game-changing initiative that allows larger solar inverters to be connected to the grid, providing more flexibility and opportunities for greater energy production.

What is the Flexible Exports Scheme?

The SA Power Networks' Flexible Exports scheme is designed to address one of the key challenges of rooftop solar installations: the ability to export solar energy to the grid during periods of high solar production. Traditionally, homes and businesses were subject to fixed export limits, restricting how much solar energy they could send back to the grid. However, this approach often led to missed opportunities for exporting excess solar energy during off-peak times when the grid could handle more energy.

The Flexible Exports scheme offers a dynamic solution. Rather than adhering to a fixed limit on solar energy exports, the scheme introduces a dynamic export limit that changes based on real-time grid conditions. This allows properties with larger solar systems or high energy production to export more energy during times when the grid can support it, and automatically adjusts to limit exports during periods of high solar saturation.

Why Flexible Exports is a Good Thing for South Australians

01

Larger Solar Systems and Inverters Allowed

With the Flexible Exports scheme, larger solar systems can now be installed without the previous fixed export constraints. This means that homes and businesses can now install bigger inverters, such as Fronius GEN 24, Goodwe, Sungrow etc inverters, which have higher energy capacities. This helps maximise solar energy production, providing more savings and a faster return on investment.

02

Maximising Solar Export During Off-Peak Hours

Under the old fixed export system, many properties were limited to exporting a maximum of 5 kW of inverter per phase, regardless of grid conditions. With Flexible Exports, you can export more energy during times when the grid has the capacity to absorb it. For example, during off-peak hours or days with lower solar activity, homes with large solar systems can export up to 10 kW of inverter per phase, depending on grid conditions.

03

Better Grid Stability

By introducing dynamic export limits, the Flexible Exports scheme helps prevent grid overloads during times of high solar production (e.g., bright, sunny days with low energy demand). This promotes overall grid stability while ensuring that the renewable energy produced by South Australian homes and businesses is used efficiently.

How Does Flexible Exports Work?

Dynamic Export Limits:
The Flexible Exports scheme uses real-time grid monitoring and communication between your solar inverter and SA Power Networks to dynamically adjust your export limits based on grid demand and capacity. This is done through the SA Power Networks' Flexible Export Management System, which monitors the state of the grid and sends signals to your solar inverter, allowing it to increase or decrease exports accordingly.

  • Normal Export Conditions: When the grid is stable and there is room for more solar energy, export limits may increase to allow you to send more energy back to the grid.
  • High Solar Saturation: When the grid is saturated with excess solar energy (e.g., during peak solar production times), the system may reduce export limits to protect grid stability.
  • During all of these times, the property will still receive the power it needs
Checking Your Eligibility For Flexible Exports

If you're interested in upgrading to a larger solar system and taking advantage of the Flexible Exports scheme, it's important to determine if your location is eligible. SA Power Networks provides a Flexible Export Checker tool, which allows you to see if your property qualifies for the scheme.

Click here to check your eligibility using the Flexible Export Checker.

Flexible exports Brochure
Why Choose Greener Housing Solutions for Your Installation?

At Greener Housing Solutions, we have over 18 years of experience in designing, installing, and maintaining solar power systems for homes and businesses across South Australia. Our team of licensed electrical engineers, electricians, and plumbers specializes in integrating the latest technology, including battery backup systems and Flexible Exports-ready inverters, ensuring that your solar energy system operates at peak performance.

 

Why Work With Us?
  1. Expert Knowledge: Our team understands the latest advancements in solar technology, including Flexible Exports, and how to best utilise it for maximum solar output.
  2. Custom Solutions: Every property is unique, and we tailor our solar solutions to meet the specific needs and goals of our clients, ensuring you get the most out of your solar investment.
  3. Local Experience: As a South Australian-only business, we are familiar with local grid conditions and regulations, ensuring that your solar installation complies with all necessary guidelines while providing maximum energy savings.
  4. Comprehensive Services: In addition to solar installations, we provide full electrical services, including upgrades to support larger systems, such as board upgrades and phase upgrades.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. How do I know if my home is eligible for Flexible Exports?
    You can use the SA Power Networks Flexible Export Checker tool to verify your eligibility based on your property location and grid conditions.
  2. Will I need new equipment to participate in the Flexible Exports scheme?
    If you’re planning to install or upgrade your solar system, it’s important to choose an inverter that is compatible with the Flexible Exports scheme. Many modern inverters, such as the Fronius GEN 24, GoodWe, Sungrow etc are already designed to integrate with the dynamic export system. All of these inverters are stocked by Greener Housing Solutions
  3. What are the costs involved in upgrading to a larger inverter under Flexible Exports?
    The cost of upgrading depends on your current system setup and the size of the inverter you choose. Our team at Greener Housing Solutions can provide a tailored quote and guide you through the upgrade process.

Contact Greener Housing Solutions Today

Ready to maximize your solar exports and take advantage of SA Power Networks' Flexible Exports? Contact Greener Housing Solutions today for a consultation. We’ll help you design a solar energy system that delivers more power, more savings, and better performance for your home or business.