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Why is my battery full but I am still sending power to the grid?

Short answer. That is how self-consumption works: solar powers the house first, then charges the battery, and anything left over goes to the grid. Once the battery is full, extra solar has nowhere else to go. It is normal, not a fault.

The same sequence runs the other way at night: the battery covers the house when solar is not enough, and the grid covers the rest.

Safety first. Nothing here needs you to touch the unit. Never open a switchboard, remove a cover from your battery or inverter, or touch any wiring. Anything beyond the app, a light you can read from a safe distance, or your own router is a job for a licensed electrician. If you see smoke, smell burning, hear arcing or see water on or near the unit: keep everyone away, switch off at your main switch only if it is safe to do so, and call 000 if there is any fire or smoke.

Why it happens

  • Order of use. Both Sigenergy and GoodWe describe self-consumption this way: solar to the home, then battery, then grid.
  • Battery level limits. GoodWe has an upper SOC limit where charging stops. Sigenergy modes can also hold charge for backup.
  • Time-based control. In time-based modes the battery only charges and discharges in the periods you set, and outside them extra solar can go to the grid.
  • Fully Fed to Grid mode. Sigenergy has a mode that aims to send as much as possible to the grid.

What to check if it is not what you expected

  1. Open the app and look at the current mode.
  2. Check whether the battery percentage is actually full, and what the home is using.
  3. If your site has an export limit from Essential Energy, see our export limit guide.
  4. If you want more of your solar kept at home, call us. We will look at the mode and what you want from the system.

We do not promise savings from exports. They depend on your retailer, your tariff and your use.

Read more: Sigenergy batteries and GoodWe batteries from Sun Connect Solar

When to call us

If we installed your system, call us on 0483 903 020. Our service help for existing customers is free: we start by working through it with you by phone. If you are not yet a customer, a service call is $250 + GST, which covers one hour on site within 20 km of Mullumbimby; travel further out is quoted separately. Contact us or call 0483 903 020 (Mon-Fri 7am-6pm, Sat 7am-4pm).

Quick questions

Is it wasteful to export when the battery is full?

It is the system doing what it was designed to do. The only other option is limiting solar, which does not help you.

Can I stop it exporting?

It depends on the site and your connection rules. Call us and we will see what is possible.

Would a bigger battery help?

It could store more, but whether it makes sense depends on your use. We size systems on your actual bills at a free assessment.

Why is my battery full so early in the day?

On a sunny day with a light house load it can fill by mid-morning or midday. That is normal.

Sources

Last checked 6 October 2026. Only the manufacturer’s, the network’s or the government’s own documents are used; app menus change between versions, so if your screen looks different, call us rather than guess.

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