Start with the connection point
An export limit governs the net power permitted to flow from the premises into the grid at the connection point. Solar may still serve loads or charge a battery behind that point, subject to the approved design and equipment controls. The approval may separately constrain inverter capacity, generation, storage, import or export, so record every field rather than treating one number as the whole connection.
The authoritative value is the current connection approval for the address. State summaries, neighbouring systems and remembered defaults are useful prompts only; they are not commissioning evidence.
Why limits differ
Electricity networks use connection conditions to manage voltage, power quality and available network capacity as customer generation and storage grow. The offered connection can therefore vary by network area, local conditions, application type, phase arrangement and approved equipment.
Do not tell a customer that an export limit is imposed only because their street is "full" or that a larger limit is guaranteed after a network upgrade. Capture what the network approved and direct policy or capacity questions to the network.
Fixed, zero and flexible arrangements
A fixed export limit uses a constant approved cap. A zero-export arrangement is intended to prevent net export, using the approved control scheme and measurement at the connection point. Do not promise that metered flow will be numerically zero at every instant; the applicable technical requirements define the control response and tolerances.
A flexible or dynamic connection can vary import or export limits with network conditions. Western Power describes dynamic operating envelopes as adjusting limits in near real time. SA Power Networks currently offers flexible exports state-wide for applicable new or upgraded systems and warns that actual capacity may be below the scheme maximum. These examples show why the network, address and application date matter.
CSIP-AUS provides a common Australian communications profile used in some dynamic connection schemes. Its use does not make every inverter, gateway or site eligible. Confirm the scheme's current approved-equipment list, firmware, gateway, internet and commissioning requirements.
What to capture on site
- Connection approval or reference, issue date, address and approved operating mode.
- All stated inverter, generation, storage, import and export limits, including per-phase wording.
- Exact inverter, controller, meter or current-sensor models and firmware where visible.
- Meter and sensor location, orientation, phase mapping and communications state.
- As-found export settings before any authorised change.
- Timestamped inverter power, battery power, site load and grid-flow readings taken together.
- Active alarms, event logs and the network or manufacturer commissioning result.
A low-export reading on its own does not prove that export control is faulty. Site load, battery charging, available solar, grid voltage, a flexible setpoint, communications state and equipment derating can all affect the observed flow.
Keep commissioning inside authority
Do not copy a setting from another site or use this guide to choose a control mode. A licensed worker should follow the live connection approval, current network technical requirements and the manufacturer's instructions for the exact equipment. If those sources conflict or are unavailable, preserve the as-found state and escalate rather than guessing.
For planning only, use the solar system size calculator and payback calculator with the site's actual approved export arrangement. Results are estimates, not connection approvals or certificates.