Solar Export Limiting — What It Is & Why It’s Useful 56shares Many Australian homes are not allowed to export more than 5 kW to the grid. If they want a big solar system with an inverter larger than 5 kW, they must ‘export limit’ the inverter. Here’s what that means. Rooftop solar works by turning sunlight into electric power. The power is first used to meet household consumption, with any surplus exported to the grid for other people to use. If at any moment in time you are generating more solar electricity than you need, the excess is exported to the grid. (Image from Finn’s Tesla App)