This new standard lays out rules for software packages responsible for sending messages between grid operators and our devices and requires them to respond in a certain standardised way.

Until now, grid operators have had to use many complicated standards to communicate directly with household inverters. With this new standard all inverters will communicate in the same way, making two-way communication easy for the first time.

Because the operator now has more control over total solar generation, it means overall we can export more solar for many more days of the year.

If there's too much power flowing into the grid, the grid operator can ask your home solar to reduce its grid export. This should happen rarely – only a few times a year – and your solar system will handle it automatically.

These changes will benefit both solar households and the grid.

The standard also makes it possible to spread the load of heating hot water and charging electric vehicles more evenly over the day through new opt-in programs. Residents who sign up would receive credits on their power bills.

In most states, the standard is either already required, or soon will be, for new solar installations. You won't need to do anything – your solar system will respond automatically.