Fixed v Flexible
A new solar connection option
Our goal is to accommodate more solar on our network while providing a secure and reliable electricity supply for all.
SA Power Networks is introducing new connection options for new and upgrading small embedded generation solar customers as an alternative to reducing the export limit to zero, as other states have done. This will apply to parts of the network that are becoming significantly overloaded with solar at certain times of the year (mild, sunny days in spring.)
These customers will be able to select from either the reduced permanent fixed export option of 1.5kW per phase or a Flexible Exports option, where their export limit will vary up to 10kW per phase – based on SA Power Networks’ assessment of network capacity in the area in which the customer is located. The flexible exports option was initially introduced as part of a trial.
Watch our video below to learn more.
Flexible Exports for Installers video transcript (PDF 652KB)
Building on the success we saw seen with the trial, we’re making Flexible Exports option available to more customers as a standard offering for new and upgrading customers.
We are rolling out the connection option across the state and Flexible Exports is now available in the following areas:
| Eligible suburbs | Eligible suburbs (continued) | Latest Release - 13 March 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Aberfoyle Park | Mclaren Vale | Clovelly Park |
| Aldinga | Melrose Park | Edwardstown |
| Aldinga Beach | Mitcham | Glandore |
| Bedford Park | Mitchell Park | Glenelg |
| Belair | Moana | Glenelg East |
| Bellevue Heights | Morphett Vale | Glenelg North |
| Blackwood | Morphettville | Kingston Park |
| Blewitt Springs | Netherby | Marino |
| Brighton | Noarlunga Centre | Plympton Park |
| Brown Hill Creek | Noarlunga Downs | Seacliff |
| Chandlers Hill | North Brighton | Seacliff Park |
| Cherry Gardens | North Haven | Seacombe Gardens |
| Christie Downs | Oaklands Park | Seaview Downs |
| Christies Beach | O'Halloran Hill | South Brighton |
| Clapham | Old Noarlunga | South Plympton |
| Clarence Gardens | Old Reynella | Sturt |
| Clarendon | Onkaparinga Heights | Tonsley |
| Colonel Light Gardens | Onkaparinga Hills | Warradale |
| Coromandel East | Osborne | |
| Coromandel Valley | O'Sullivan Beach | |
| Crafers West | Outer Harbor | |
| Craigburn Farm | Panorama | |
| Cumberland Park | Park Holme | |
| Darlington | Pasadena | |
| Daw Park | Port Noarlunga | |
| Dorset Vale | Port Noarlunga South | |
| Dover Gardens | Port Willunga | |
| Eden Hills | Reynella | |
| Flagstaff Hill | Reynella East | |
| Glenalta | Seaford | |
| Glenelg South | Seaford Heights | |
| Glengowrie | Seaford Meadows | |
| Hackham | Seaford Rise | |
| Hackham West | Sellicks Beach | |
| Hallett Cove | Sellicks Hill | |
| Happy Valley | Sheidow Park | |
| Hawthorn | Somerton Park | |
| Hawthorndene | Springfield | |
| Hove | St Marys | |
| Huntfield Heights | Taperoo | |
| Ironbank | Tatachilla | |
| Kangarilla | The Range | |
| Kingswood | Torrens Island | |
| Kuitpo | Torrens Park | |
| Largs North | Trott Park | |
| Leawood Gardens | Upper Sturt | |
| Lonsdale | Urrbrae | |
| Lower Mitcham | Westbourne Park | |
| Lynton | Whites Valley | |
| Marion | Willunga | |
| Maslin Beach | Willunga South | |
| Mclaren Flat | Woodcroft |
The rollout will be expanded to more suburbs in new council areas over the following months. We expect that Flexible Exports option will be available in most suburbs by the end of 2024. Customers can opt into Flexible Exports once it becomes available in their suburbs. There will be no change for existing solar customers.
Use Flexible Exports Eligibility Checker to find out if Flexible Exports is available in the customers area.
The Government of South Australia has introduced new regulations that requires all new exporting generation systems to be capable of remotely updating their export limits from 1 July 2023. These regulatory changes mean that all exporting systems applied for installation after this date are compatible with SA Power Networks’ Flexible Exports
Connection options available by area:
Within Flexible Exports eligible suburbs:
- Choice between:
Fixed Export limit
- Fixed export option of 1.5kW per phase
- Permanent and fixed limit, all year round.
Flexible Export limit
- Enabled by compatible smart internet-connected inverters – these receive regular export limit updates from SA Power Networks, and match exports to available grid capacity.
- Variable export limit that automatically adjusts between 1.5kW up to 10kW per phase (subject to available network capacity at the customer’s location throughout the day, installed inverter capacity and the reliability of the customer’s internet connection)
For customers within Flexible Exports areas, you can view past Flexible Exports performance which can be used as part of the discussion about what to install. This functionality is available as part of the Flexible Exports Eligibility Checker.
Outside of Flexible Exports eligible suburbs:
- Existing 5kW per phase export limit applies.