Southland households with solar panels will soon be able to export more electricity back to the grid, following PowerNet's decision to increase their limit from 5kW to 10kW.

The announcement brings Southland into line with Otago's Aurora Energy who increased their limit to 10kW in August 2025.

PowerNet Chief Executive Paul Blue said the increase was in response to customer demand and would enabling more power to be exported into the network which would also generate income for the householder.

The decision also fit with the company’s long-term goal of a future-ready network, he said.

PowerNet has undertaken extensive work to understand any risk this increase in capacity will have on the wider network and, while the 10kW limit won’t be available to every household, there should be widespread coverage, he said.

“There will be some cases where large numbers of customers in one area all want to increase their limit and, depending on the specific circumstances of their connection and the infrastructure supporting it, that may not be possible.”

Blue said PowerNet has a work programme that is committed to exploring new and emerging technologies and how these can benefit our customers and communities.

“Solar generation is a big part of this, and these changes could make solar power a more economic option for people, enabling more power to be exported into the network and generating income for the householder.”

World Solar owner Doon Morrell said people were using more power now and he expected PowerNet's decision would see households futureproofing themselves by installing more solar panels and bigger inverters.

People may also start shopping around more for the best buyback rate, he said.

New applications from households who wish to have an export limit between 5-10kW and from customers who already have a 5kW limit, and wish to have the new 10kW limit, will be accepted from 16 March 2026.

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