As rooftop solar becomes more widespread across Australia, networks are placing increasing focus on how much solar energy homes can export back to the grid. Export limits and emergency backstop mechanisms help manage grid stability, but the rules vary by state, network, and even property type. This FAQ explains how export limits work, who sets them, and what to expect depending on your location and network.
1. What are export limits and who sets them?
Export limits cap the amount of solar energy a site can send back to the grid. These limits are determined by your local electricity network, not by Amber or any electricity retailer.
There are two main types of export limits:
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Fixed export limits (e.g. always 5kW per phase)
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Flexible (dynamic) export limits, which vary throughout the day depending on grid conditions
The exact export limit for each customer depends on several factors, including:
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The electricity network they are connected to
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Whether their property is single or three-phase
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System installation date
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System size
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Location (e.g. address or postcode)
2. Can Amber confirm a customer’s export limit?
Not easily. Because export limits are dependent on various network-specific and technical factors, Amber is not able to reliably confirm export limits for individual customers.
The most accurate sources of this information are:
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Your local electricity network
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The system installer
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Occasionally the hardware manufacturer
3. What are the current export limits by network (as of May 2025)?
|
Network |
Flexible Exports |
Export Limit Summary |
More Info |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SAPN (South Australia) |
Yes (opt-out, full rollout mid-2025) |
Flexible: 1.5kW–10kW per phase based on grid demand- Opt-out: 1.5kW fixed per phase- Legacy: Generally 5kW per phase |
|
|
Ausgrid (NSW) |
No |
Fixed: Generally 10kW per phase (for systems <10kW per phase) |
|
|
Endeavour Energy (NSW) |
Yes (opt-in trial) |
Flexible: Up to 10kW (single phase)- Fixed: Typically 5kW (single phase) |
|
|
Essential Energy (NSW) |
No |
Fixed: Usually 5kW, even for 3-phase systems. Rural areas may have lower limits. |
|
|
Energex (QLD) |
Yes (opt-in, “Dynamic Connection”) |
Flexible: 1.5–10kW per phase- Fixed: Typically 5kW per phase (2kW in some regional areas) |
|
|
Ausnet (VIC) |
Yes (opt-in trial) |
Flexible: Up to 5kW per phase- Fixed: Case-by-case, generally <5kW per phase- Install limit: Typically 10kW per phase |
|
|
United Energy (VIC) |
Small-scale trial with Powercor/Citipower |
Fixed: Usually 5kW per phase, 10kW install limit per phase |
|
|
Powercor / Citipower (VIC) |
Small-scale trial with United |
Fixed: Typically 5kW per phase, 10kW install limit per phase |
|
|
Jemena (VIC) |
No (Coming in 2026) |
Fixed: Generally 5kW per phase, 10kW install limit per phase |
|
|
Evoenergy (ACT) |
No |
Until Feb 2025: 5kW per phase- From Feb 2025: Option for 10kW across 3 phases or 5kW per phase |
|
4. What are emergency backstop mechanisms?
An emergency backstop mechanism allows electricity networks to temporarily curtail or switch off rooftop solar exports during rare emergency events. These events are separate from flexible export programs and are expected to occur very infrequently (e.g. once per year).
State-by-state summary:
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South Australia: Implemented since 2020. Customers joining flexible exports from July 2023 typically have compliant inverters. More info
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Queensland: Since February 2023, solar inverters larger than 10kW must include a signalling device. Some compliance issues reported.
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Victoria: From October 2024, systems under 200kW must comply. More info
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NSW: Planned rollout starting Spring 2025.
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ACT: Not yet implemented.
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