If you've had a solar quote recently, you may have seen mention of 'export limits.' As rooftop solar saturation increases, network operators are placing restrictions on how much power you can send back to the grid. This doesn't mean solar isn't worth it — but it does change the equation. Here's what you need to know.
What Is an Export Limit?
An export limit caps how much solar energy your system can send to the grid at any given moment. Common limits are 5kW, 3kW, or even zero-export in some areas. This doesn't limit how much your panels generate — it limits how much leaves your property. If your system generates 8kW but you're using 5kW at home and have a 5kW export limit, there's no issue. The limit only kicks in when your export exceeds the cap.
Why Do Export Limits Exist?
In areas with very high solar adoption, the local electricity network can become 'congested' during midday when thousands of homes are exporting simultaneously. This can cause voltage issues and grid instability. Rather than expensive network upgrades, distributors impose export limits to manage the flow. This is particularly common in parts of SA, QLD, and suburban areas of NSW and VIC with high solar penetration. The limits are set by your local distribution network (Ausgrid, Energex, SA Power Networks, etc.), not your retailer.
Zero-Export: What It Means
Zero-export means your system physically cannot export any power to the grid. Your inverter is configured to throttle production to match your household consumption exactly. This is rare for standard residential systems but can apply to larger installations (10kW+) in some areas. If you're faced with a zero-export requirement, a battery becomes essential to capture surplus generation. Without one, your system will frequently 'curtail' (waste) potential production.
How Export Limits Affect Your Savings
With a 5kW export limit on a 6.6kW system, the impact is usually minimal — you'll only be curtailed for a few hours on peak summer days. With tighter limits (1.5kW or zero), the impact is bigger: you lose feed-in revenue and waste generation. The solution is to focus on self-consumption (shift usage to daytime), add a battery (store surplus for evening), or both. Our scorecard factors in your state's typical export conditions when recommending system and battery sizes.
Dynamic Export Limits
Several networks are now rolling out 'dynamic' or 'flexible' export limits. Instead of a fixed cap, your inverter communicates with the network in real-time and exports more when the grid has capacity, throttling only when needed. SA Power Networks, Ausgrid, and Energex are leading this transition. Dynamic exports are better for solar owners because you can export more total energy over the course of a day. If your installer offers a dynamic export connection, it's generally worth accepting.