Hayleys Solar has introduced the concept of the “Flexumer”, a flexible energy user who generates, consumes, stores and exports electricity based on the requirements of the national grid, as Sri Lanka’s growing rooftop solar adoption faces limitations in the existing electricity network.
In some areas, households and businesses seeking to install rooftop solar systems are unable to obtain grid clearance because transformers and distribution lines are considered fully utilised, restricting the connection of additional systems.
Hayleys Solar said addressing this challenge requires smarter energy management alongside continued investment in grid infrastructure.
Unlike a traditional prosumer, which exports surplus solar energy as it is generated, a Flexumer uses smart technologies to determine when electricity should be consumed, stored or exported.
Instead of exporting all surplus solar generation during the day, a Flexumer can store excess energy in batteries, increase on-site consumption or export electricity when grid demand is higher. This can reduce transformer loading and potentially enable more rooftop solar systems to be connected within the same area.
Roshane Perera, Deputy Managing Director – Energy, Hayleys Fentons, said a 100-kW transformer could be considered fully utilised when only a limited number of households with 5 kW rooftop solar systems are connected to it.
“As a result, new solar applications may be restricted or rejected, even when customer demand is strong,” he said.
“However, if these customers operate as Flexumers and intelligently manage when they consume, store or export electricity, the same transformer may be able to accommodate many more rooftop solar systems while improving the quality and reliability of electricity without requiring immediate costly infrastructure upgrades,” Perera added.
“We must move beyond viewing customers simply as electricity producers and consumers. By enabling them to become flexible participants in the energy system, we can free up grid capacity, improve power quality, and help more Sri Lankans benefit from renewable energy,” he said.
The Flexumer model could be particularly relevant in areas where customers are unable to obtain CEB clearance due to transformer capacity or other grid-related restrictions.
According to Hayleys Solar, greater flexibility in energy consumption, storage and exports could enable more rooftop solar installations to utilise existing network infrastructure while reducing the immediate need for costly grid upgrades.
The company said Sri Lanka’s renewable energy transition must now prioritise smarter energy management alongside continued solar deployment.
By transforming conventional solar customers, or prosumers, into Flexumers, Hayleys Solar aims to support a smarter and more responsive energy system that benefits customers, the Ceylon Electricity Board and the country as a whole.
As Sri Lanka moves towards a cleaner and more decentralised energy future, smart energy management is expected to play an increasingly important role in overcoming grid limitations and enabling more homes and businesses to adopt rooftop solar.
