Maximise Solar Exports: Sell Energy When Prices Are High
As solar energy adoption increases, many homeowners are looking for ways to maximise their financial returns by exporting excess electricity to the grid when prices are at their highest. However, with export limits, dynamic pricing, and changing grid regulations, it’s not always as straightforward as it seems.
If you have a solar system with or without battery storage, you may be wondering: Can I still export my solar power when prices are high?
The answer depends on several factors, including your electricity provider’s pricing structure, grid export limits, and whether you have a smart energy management system like Jousto. Jousto ensures that your solar exports are timed strategically, helping you take advantage of peak pricing periods while staying within grid restrictions.
In this article, we’ll explore:
How solar exports work and why pricing varies
What affects your ability to export solar power
How Jousto ensures you export when prices are highest
How to maximise your earnings from solar energy
How Solar Exports Work and Why Prices Vary
When your solar panels generate more electricity than your home consumes, the excess energy is either:
Stored in a battery (if you have one).
Exported to the electricity grid, where you receive a feed-in tariff (FiT) or payment for each kilowatt-hour (kWh) sent.
1. Fixed Feed-in Tariffs (FiTs)
Traditionally, many energy providers offered fixed feed-in tariffs, where they pay a set price per kWh of exported solar power. However, as more homes install solar, these rates have been declining.
Example: You receive 8c per kWh for any exported power, regardless of the time of day.
Limitation: You cannot take advantage of peak electricity prices, as the rate remains the same all day.
2. Time-Varying Feed-in Tariffs (TVFiTs)
Some providers now offer time-varying FiTs, where the amount you are paid for solar exports changes throughout the day.
Peak pricing periods (late afternoon/evening) = Higher feed-in tariffs.
Off-peak periods (midday) = Lower feed-in tariffs due to excess solar generation.
Example:
Daytime (10 AM - 3 PM) → 5c per kWh
Evening peak (4 PM - 8 PM) → 12c per kWh
Night (after 9 PM) → No feed-in tariff (or very low rate)
With TVFiTs, timing your solar exports is crucial to earning higher returns.
3. Wholesale Market Pricing (Dynamic Exports)
Some energy retailers allow you to sell solar energy at wholesale market rates, which fluctuate in real time.
Prices can be very high during demand surges (e.g., heatwaves or supply shortages).
Prices can be very low (or even negative) when excess solar is flooding the grid.
This pricing structure offers huge potential for increased earnings, but only if you have a system like Jousto that can automatically adjust your exports based on price fluctuations.
What Affects Your Ability to Export Solar Power?
Even if electricity prices are high, your ability to export power depends on several factors:
1. Grid Export Limits
Many electricity networks impose solar export restrictions, meaning you can only send a limited amount of electricity to the grid at any time.
Some homes are restricted to 3-5 kW per phase.
Some areas have dynamic export limits, where allowed export capacity changes throughout the day.
In some cases, homes may be placed on zero-export restrictions, meaning no excess power can be sent to the grid.
2. Solar System Size and Home Consumption
If your household uses most of its solar energy, there may not be much excess power available for export. Larger solar systems tend to produce more excess energy, increasing export potential.
3. Battery Storage and Discharge Strategy
If you have a home battery, you can choose to:
Store solar power for later use, reducing your reliance on the grid at night.
Export stored energy during peak pricing periods, maximising your earnings when FiTs are highest.
4. Electricity Plan and Tariff Type
Your ability to benefit from high solar export prices depends on whether your electricity plan offers time-varying FiTs or access to wholesale energy pricing.
If your plan only offers a fixed FiT, you won’t benefit from peak export pricing unless you switch to a more dynamic plan.
How Jousto Ensures You Export When Prices Are Highest
Jousto is an intelligent energy management system that ensures your solar exports happen at the most profitable times. Instead of exporting power at low prices, Jousto strategically manages energy flow to help you get the best returns.
1. Prioritising Self-Consumption During Low Pricing Periods
When FiTs are low (e.g., midday), Jousto ensures that solar energy is used within the home first by:
Powering appliances such as air conditioners, pool pumps, and water heaters.
Charging your battery before exporting excess power.
Preventing unnecessary exports when feed-in tariffs are at their lowest.
2. Exporting Energy When Prices Are Highest
Jousto monitors real-time electricity prices and time-varying FiTs, automatically exporting excess solar power during peak pricing periods.
If prices rise in the late afternoon/evening, Jousto delays exports until the highest-paying period.
If battery storage is available, Jousto ensures the battery discharges at the most profitable times.
3. Managing Grid Export Limits to Maximise Earnings
For homes with export restrictions, Jousto:
Keeps exports within allowable limits to avoid system shutdowns.
Gradually adjusts solar output instead of sending excess energy when FiTs are low.
Ensures stored energy is exported efficiently when grid conditions allow.
4. Adapting to Wholesale Market Pricing
For homes on dynamic energy plans, Jousto tracks real-time wholesale electricity prices and:
Charges batteries when grid prices are low or negative.
Discharges stored energy when prices are at peak levels.
Prevents exporting power when market prices are low or negative.
This fully automated strategy ensures you always get the best return on your solar investment.
How to Maximise Your Earnings from Solar Exports
To ensure you get the most financial benefit from your solar system, follow these steps:
✅ Choose the right energy plan – Look for time-varying FiTs or wholesale market pricing to take advantage of peak periods.
✅ Install a battery system – Use stored energy when grid prices are high instead of relying on low feed-in tariffs.
✅ Use Jousto for automated energy management – Ensure your solar power is exported at the best times and that self-consumption is maximised.
✅ Monitor grid export limits – Avoid exceeding your home’s export capacity to prevent energy wastage.
Final Thoughts: Take Control of Your Solar Exports with Jousto
If you want to export solar power when prices are high, Jousto ensures:
✅ Your battery charges and discharges at the best times.
✅ You export energy during peak pricing periods.
✅ Self-consumption is prioritised when FiTs are low.
✅ You stay within grid export limits while maximising earnings.
🚀 Take control of your solar energy today—visit Jousto to learn more!
