Energex Dynamic Export: How to Get Approved and Start Saving in Brisbane

What is Energex Dynamic Export in Brisbane?

Energex Dynamic Export is a smarter way of managing solar power flowing back into Brisbane’s electricity grid. Traditionally, single-phase homes have a fixed export limit, usually 5kW, meaning you can’t send more than 5kW of excess solar back to the grid at any one time, no matter how much your panels are producing. Dynamic export replaces this fixed cap with a flexible one that ranges from as low as 1.5kW to as high as 10kW per phase.

This “dynamic” limit is controlled by Energex and adjusted in real-time based on how busy the local network is. Think of it like traffic management for electricity. On a clear, sunny day when lots of households are generating solar but not many people are home using power, the grid can get congested. In these moments, Energex might lower your export limit to protect the network’s stability. Conversely, when the network has plenty of capacity, your limit can be increased to the 10kW maximum, allowing you to sell much more of your excess energy.

The key benefit is the potential to export up to double the standard limit, which can lead to larger feed-in tariff credits on your power bill. It also makes it easier to get approval for larger solar systems (e.g., over 6.6kW of panels on a 5kW inverter) and add a battery without needing a costly three-phase power upgrade to your home.

The Energex Dynamic Export application process

The good news is that you don’t have to handle the paperwork yourself. Your chosen solar installer is responsible for managing the entire application process with Energex. However, it’s important you choose an installer who is experienced with dynamic connections.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the steps involved:

• Choose a qualified installer: This is the most critical step. You must select an installer accredited by Solar Accreditation Australia (SAA). SAA is the current body recognised by the Clean Energy Regulator for overseeing accreditation standards, taking over from the Clean Energy Council (CEC). An SAA-accredited installer will have the technical knowledge to design a compliant system and navigate Energex’s requirements.

• System design and component selection: Your installer will help you choose an inverter and any other necessary hardware that is on Energy Queensland’s approved list for dynamic connections. This is non-negotiable for approval.

• Submission of the network connection application: The installer lodges the application on your behalf through an online portal. This includes your property details, your National Meter Identifier (NMI), and the technical specifications of your proposed system.

• Connection offer: For most residential systems, Energex will issue a “Basic Connection Offer,” which is a standardised approval.

• Installation and commissioning: Once approved, your SAA-accredited professional will install the system. A crucial part of this is correctly setting up the communication link between your inverter and the Energex network via your home internet.

• Registration: The final step is for your installer to register your system with Energex’s dynamic management platform.

Energex compliant inverters for Dynamic Export

Not every inverter can be used for a dynamic connection. The system relies on communication, so your inverter must be “smart” enough to receive and respond to signals from the Energex network.

Energy Queensland maintains an official list of approved inverters and gateway devices. Your installer must select a product from this list for your application to be successful. While the list is updated periodically, some of the key technology types include:

• Inverters with native compliance: Some manufacturers, like Brisbane-based Redback Technologies, offer inverters that have native certification for Energex Dynamic Connections. This can simplify the installation as it may not require additional hardware.

• Inverters requiring a gateway device: Many popular inverter brands can be made compliant by installing a third-party gateway device or relay. A prominent example is the CATCH Power solar relay, which acts as a brain for your system, taking commands from Energex and controlling the hardware accordingly.

Gigi’s Pro Tip: This is especially important if you plan to add a battery. Under dynamic connection rules, if you add a battery that isn’t fully compliant with both import and export signals, Energex requires it to be set to zero import and zero export. This could completely wipe out the financial benefits of your battery. An approved gateway like CATCH Power can manage the whole site—inverter, battery, and even an EV charger—to ensure everything remains compliant and functional.

Energex Dynamic Export technical requirements

Beyond a compliant inverter, there are a few other technical essentials for a successful dynamic export connection:

• A stable internet connection: This is non-negotiable. Your solar system communicates with Energex via your home’s Wi-Fi or an Ethernet connection. If this connection is lost for an extended period, your export limit will automatically drop to a default precautionary level of 1.5kW until communication is restored.

• A smart meter: A modern smart meter is required so your electricity retailer can accurately measure your variable exports and bill you correctly.

• Correct installation standards: The system must be installed to meet all relevant Australian Standards, particularly AS/NZS 4777.2 for grid-connected inverters, and all of Energex’s specific network requirements. An SAA-accredited installer will ensure this is handled correctly.

Energex Dynamic Export feed-in tariffs Brisbane

It’s a common point of confusion, but Energex does not set your feed-in tariff (FiT). Energex manages the grid (the poles and wires), while your electricity retailer is who you buy power from and sell your excess solar to.

A dynamic export connection doesn’t give you a special or higher FiT rate. Instead, it gives you the opportunity to export more kilowatt-hours of solar energy. Your feed-in tariff is determined by the specific plan you have with your retailer (like AGL, Origin, etc.). By exporting up to 10kW instead of being capped at 5kW, you can earn significantly more in bill credits from your chosen retailer’s FiT rate.

Comparison of solar feed-in tariffs Brisbane 2025

In South East Queensland, the solar feed-in tariff market is competitive and not regulated by the government. This means retailers offer a wide range of plans, and it pays to shop around. As of late 2025, here’s what you can generally expect:

Retailer	Typical High FiT Rate (c/kWh)	Conditions
AGL	~15 c/kWh	On “Solar Savers” plan, typically for the first 10kWh exported per day, then a lower rate applies.
Origin Energy	~12 c/kWh	On “Solar Boost” plan, typically for the first 14kWh exported per day, then a lower rate applies.
EnergyAustralia	~10 c/kWh	On “Solar Max” plan, often for the first 12-15kWh exported per day, then a lower rate applies.
Alinta Energy	~10 c/kWh	On “Solar Savers” or “SolarBalance Go” plan, typically for the first 10kWh exported per day, then a lower rate applies.
Wholesale	Varies (can be >$15/kWh)	Tied to the live wholesale market price, which can change every 5 or 30 minutes. High risk, high reward.

Gigi’s Pro Tip: Don’t be lured by a high headline feed-in tariff alone. Some retailers offer a great FiT but claw back the profit with higher daily supply charges or usage rates. Always use a comparison tool that calculates your total estimated bill based on both your expected export amount and your household consumption.

How to maximize savings with Energex Dynamic Export

Having a dynamic connection opens up new ways to get the most from your solar investment.

• Shift your energy usage: Do your high-consumption chores like laundry, dishwashing, or running the pool pump in the middle of the day (10 am to 3 pm). This uses your free solar energy directly, a practice known as “self-consumption.” This is always more valuable than exporting, and it frees up your system to export the maximum amount possible.

• Go big on panels: With a 10kW export limit, you can confidently install a larger solar array (e.g., 8kW to 13kW of panels) to maximise your generation from dawn until dusk. This ensures you’re producing enough power to cover your home’s needs and still have a large surplus to export.

• Consider a battery: Pairing a large solar system with a battery is the ultimate strategy. You can use the battery to absorb excess solar during the day when your export might be limited by grid congestion. Then, you can either use that stored energy at night to avoid buying from the grid, or if you’re with a wholesale retailer, discharge it to the grid during an evening price spike for a massive credit.

Case Study: A Family in Chermside The Tran family had a 6.6kW solar system but were frustrated by the 5kW export limit. After getting a dynamic connection, they upgraded their system with more Trina panels to 10kW and added a 13.5kWh Tesla Powerwall 3. Their installer ensured the whole system was compliant using an approved gateway. They signed up with a wholesale retailer and now regularly export energy during evening peaks for over $1.00/kWh instead of the old 8c/kWh flat rate. Their power bills are now consistently in credit, and they are on track to pay back their battery investment in under 6 years.

Best electricity retailers for solar dynamic export Brisbane

The “best” retailer depends entirely on your goals and how actively you want to manage your energy.

• For simple, set-and-forget savings: Look at the major retailers like AGL, Origin, or EnergyAustralia and their dedicated solar plans. These offer a good balance of a strong feed-in tariff for your bigger export capacity without requiring you to constantly monitor the market.

• For advanced users and battery owners: A wholesale electricity retailer like Amber Electric is impossible to ignore. Amber passes through the real-time wholesale price of energy, which changes every 30 minutes (or even 5 minutes). With a dynamic connection and a battery, you can export a huge 10kW of power when the price is extremely high (sometimes over $15 per kWh) and avoid using power when it’s expensive. This approach has more risk and requires a compatible smart-controlled battery, but offers the highest potential rewards.

How to monitor and optimize your dynamic export limits

Monitoring your system’s performance is key to understanding and optimising your savings.

• Your inverter’s app: Most modern inverters (like Fronius, Sungrow, or SolarEdge) come with a comprehensive monitoring app or web portal. This is your primary tool. It will show you in real-time how much power your panels are generating, how much your home is consuming, and how much is being exported to the grid. While it won’t show you the limit Energex has set at any given moment, you can infer it. If your 10kW system is only exporting 1.5kW on a perfectly sunny day, you know you’re being constrained.

• Energy Management Systems (EMS): A dedicated EMS, such as the gateway device from CATCH Power, provides a more integrated level of control. These systems not only ensure compliance but can often be programmed to automatically divert solar power to different appliances (like a hot water system or EV charger) when it detects that your export is being limited. This ensures the energy gets used on-site instead of being wasted.

• Retailer Apps: If you’re with a provider like Amber, their app is essential. It shows the live wholesale price and forecasts, allowing you to decide when to export from your battery or curtail usage.

Ultimately, dynamic export is the future for solar homes in Brisbane. It allows the grid to handle more renewable energy while giving homeowners the chance to significantly boost their savings.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the options, I get it. This is complex stuff. I can connect you with a trusted local expert who lives and breathes this and can provide a clear, no-obligation quote for a dynamic-ready solar system. Just fill out the form below to get started.