Key Solar, Batteries & Electrical Jargon

Posted on 22 January 2026

Jargon Guide: Key Solar Terms Explained

Before we diving too deep into the solar or battery space, it’s helpful to understand a few common solar terms you’ll see throughout this and other guides. These are simple explanations of some common terms that might help you get a greater understanding of some of the information you'll come across.

kW (Kilowatt)

kW measures power: how much electricity can be produced or moved in a single moment. Think of it like the speed of electricity or instantaneous power.

• A 5kW solar inverter can convert up to 5kW of power in perfect conditions.
• Appliances also use power in kW (e.g., a kettle might use 2 kW power while it’s boiling).
• In terms of this article it’s the measure of how much energy can be sent to the grid in any one moment.
• 1kW = 1000W (Watts)

kWh (Kilowatt-Hour)

kWh measures energy over time. Think of it like the distance travelled over a period, It’s the measurement for how much electricity you generate, store or use over time.

• kWh = power (kW) × time.
• If a 5kW inverter runs at full power for 1 hour, it generates 5kWh.
• If a 1kW inverter runs at full power for 5 hours it generates 5kWh.
• Your electricity bill charges you for the quantity of kWh you use from the grid.
• 1kWh = 1000Wh (Watt Hour)
  

Energy Export / Grid Feed‑in

Solar energy always must go somewhere. When your solar system is generating more electricity than your home is currently using and your battery (if you have one) is full the excess energy automatically flows out to the electricity grid. This process happens continuously and automatically throughout the day.

How much energy you export depends on several factors, including:

• The size and power of your solar system
• The direction and angle of your panels
• Your household consumption at that moment
• Whether you have a battery and how full it is
• Weather conditions and sunlight levels

If you’re on an electricity plan that includes a feed‑in tariff, the energy you export earns you small credits on your bill. While each individual credit may seem minor, they accumulate over time and reduce the overall cost of your electricity.

Export Limit

An export limit is a programmed cap on the maximum amount of excess solar energy your system is allowed to send back into the electricity grid. These limits are usually set based on the type of power supply at your property — for example, homes with three‑phase power can typically export more than homes on single‑phase.

When your solar system is generating more energy than your home is using (and your battery, if you have one, is not charging), you may reach this export limit. If that happens, your inverter automatically reduces its solar generation to ensure you don’t export more than the grid allows.

This process only affects the excess energy being exported, not the energy used inside your home.
The moment your household consumption increases, your export level naturally drops, and your solar inverter will immediately ramp its generation back up to meet the new demand.

Feed‑in Tariff (FiT)

A feed‑in tariff is the credit your electricity retailer pays you for the solar energy you export to the grid.

• Paid per kWh exported
• Set by your electricity retailer (not SA Power Networks)
• Rates vary between retailers and can change seasonally

Your feed‑in tariff, the rate your retailer pays you for exported solar does not directly affect solar exports program. However, Export limits can influence how much solar you’re able to export, which in turn may affect the total credits you earn on your bill.

During the daytime, feed‑in tariffs are typically quite low because there is already an abundance of solar energy on the grid. Most households export during these periods, and excess supply drives the value of energy down.

Some electricity retailers and virtual power plant (VPP) programs offer higher feed‑in rates during the evening or at times of high demand, especially for customers with batteries. These boosted rates can be significantly more valuable because they occur when there is less solar energy available on the grid.

Because Flexible Exports adjusts export limits based on oversupply, the highest export allowances usually occur when the grid needs energy most, including many of these peak‑demand periods. This means thanks to ‘Flexible Exports’ customers often have the opportunity to export more energy when it is actually worth more, especially if they are part of a VPP or have time‑varying feed‑in tariffs.