The short answer
Usually, yes. Single-wire earth return (SWER) lines carry little spare capacity, so your network may limit how much solar you can export, or allow none. We design the system to that limit, and a battery stores the solar you can't send back, so you still use it in the evening.
What a SWER line is
Many farms and rural properties are supplied by single-wire earth return lines: one wire, with the earth carrying the return current. They're cheap to build over long distances, but they carry little spare capacity.
Why export is limited
Because the line can't take much power back, networks often cap how much solar each property can send into it, sometimes to zero. Your network sets the limit when we apply to connect.
Making solar worth it anyway
- Size the system so your own daytime loads use most of the solar
- Add a battery to store what can't be exported and use it at night
- Set the inverter to the export limit, so the system stays compliant
- Consider backup, as SWER lines can see longer outages
