With the Australian Government expanding the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES), SA Power Networks is accelerating work to simplify connections for medium embedded generation (MEG) solar systems between 31 kVA and 500 kVA. This simplification is enabled by making Flexible Exports available to larger solar systems.

This is an initial communication to share our plans ahead of changes coming into effect in early 2027. More information will be shared in the coming months. 

Changes and our response 

From 1 October 2026, the SRES will expand to provide incentives for eligible solar systems up to 1MW. 

SA Power Networks welcomes initiatives that enable more customers to benefit from solar. We are developing changes to make it easier to connect larger systems to our network and help make the most of the energy they generate. 

SA Power Networks has been developing and testing Flexible Exports for MEG systems for several years. With the expansion of the SRES, we’re accelerating this work as part of a broader simplification of the MEG connection process.  

A new Flexible Exports option for MEG systems is planned for introduction in early 2027. Flexible Exports allows customers’ solar exports to respond to available network capacity, helping provide more equitable access to export capacity as more solar connects. 

At times when the network is constrained, systems on Flexible Exports may have their export limits reduced. This reduces the need for detailed upfront network impact studies and costs at time of connection in many cases, while helping to maintain the security and reliability of the distribution network as South Australia transitions to net zero. 

The future MEG connection offering will provide a choice between: 

• Zero export, where no energy is exported to the network; or 
• Flexible Exports, where export limits can vary in response to network conditions. 

This approach will simplify the connection process for systems with a lower network impact. Systems assessed as having a high network impact will still require a more detailed assessment process that reflects the risk associated with the connection. 

A key requirement of the future offering will be the use of dynamic export-capable equipment—inverters certified to the latest version of the Common Smart Inverter Profile – Australia (CSIP-AUS)—supported by a reliable internet connection. This capability will enable Flexible Exports and support simpler connection arrangements. 

For many systems between 200 kVA and 500 kVA, this approach is also expected to remove the need for dedicated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) equipment. Instead, the CSIP-AUS capability will provide a simpler, lower-cost way to manage exports, further reducing connection complexity and costs. 

Current MEG connection requirements will remain unchanged from 1 October 2026. However, the planned changes will affect how new MEG systems are applied for and installed from early 2027. 

What’s next?

We are sharing these plans early so customers and industry can prepare for the changes. Further details will be provided in the coming weeks, ahead of the planned introduction in early 2027. 

Stay tuned for more information on when the offer will be introduced, changes to the process and new requirements for installation. 

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