Having just read this Twitter thread on the European solar issue the problem is essentially that a flat rate export tariff for domestic solar gen-sumers actually incentivises them to export whenever they have generation occurring. This forces the grid into a 'must buy' situation despite the electricity being excess to requirements at that time, and that grid excess results in negative price points.
The variable import and export system that Octopus offers in the UK is well suited to correct such a situation by incentivising their customers into exporting at times of greater demand, including by way of batteries or V2G connections. Octopus have recently offered a stepped export rate for their NZ customers but this requires a customer to have battery storage to be able to benefit from this.
Australia's high uptake of domestic solar results in similar over supply issues on sunny days but this has been largely addressed by the lines companies there by having control on domestic installations and throttling them back (totally if need be) to prevent potentially damaging grid loads. They also reduced their nominal grid voltage from 240V to 230V in 2000 in order to provide a safety buffer for their infrastructure. Obviously lines company control of customers generation/export rates also serves as an incentive for home battery installation.
The variable import and export system that Octopus offers in the UK is well suited to correct such a situation by incentivising their customers into exporting at times of greater demand, including by way of batteries or V2G connections. Octopus have recently offered a stepped export rate for their NZ customers but this requires a customer to have battery storage to be able to benefit from this.
Australia's high uptake of domestic solar results in similar over supply issues on sunny days but this has been largely addressed by the lines companies there by having control on domestic installations and throttling them back (totally if need be) to prevent potentially damaging grid loads. They also reduced their nominal grid voltage from 240V to 230V in 2000 in order to provide a safety buffer for their infrastructure. Obviously lines company control of customers generation/export rates also serves as an incentive for home battery installation.