Accurately estimating your solar export is key to understanding feed-in tariff (FiT) income and payback. While your inverter provides generation numbers, turning those into export values requires a few extra steps. When combined with smart meter data, the results become far more reliable.
Key Definitions
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Inverter generation data → Total solar kWh produced.
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Consumption data → Energy your home uses.
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Export → Generation minus consumption, sent to the grid.
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FiT value → Credit earned per exported kWh.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Simple export check
Suppose your system generates 20 kWh/day, and the home uses 12 kWh/day. That leaves 8 kWh/day exported, worth $0.80/day at 10c/kWh.
Example 2: Higher daytime usage
If the system generates 18 kWh/day but your home uses 15 kWh/day, then only 3 kWh is exported. In this case, FiT is lower at $0.30/day, but the bigger benefit comes from bill savings.
Example 3: Seasonal difference
During summer, production may hit 25 kWh/day, with 7 kWh exported. In winter, the same system might only produce 12 kWh/day, leading to zero exports. Therefore, it is better to look at yearly averages instead of single-day figures.
Tips for Better Estimation
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Regularly track inverter logs to smooth out daily weather swings.
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In addition, compare results with your smart meter for accuracy.
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As a result, you’ll know when to shift EV charging, laundry, or heating into solar hours to reduce exports and maximise savings.
FAQs
Q: Can inverter data alone give me export numbers?
Not fully. It shows generation, but household use must be factored in.
Q: Why do exports matter?
Because they determine FiT credits and affect payback speed.
Q: How do I cut exports?
For example, by running appliances in daylight or investing in an EV or battery.
Conclusion
Export estimation with inverter data is a practical way to model FiT value. However, pairing it with meter data gives the most accurate picture.
Try these tools:
Fit Savings Calculator · Retailer Rates · Postcode Estimator · Solar ROI Fit · Rate Change Tracker · Compare FiT by State