Electricity meter going backwards after installing Solar PV
LongWalk_2
Posts: 5
Forumite
in Energy
I recently installed Solar PV on my roof and was very happy to see my electricity meter go backwards. When I gave an electricity meter reading to my electricity supplier, they were not very happy that the current meter reading was lower than the previous reading I had given them. They insist the meter is faulty and therefore must be replaced. I didn’t realise the supplier had the right to do this. I was counting on my meter going backwards to save some money and reduce the payback time. Has anyone successfully hung onto their old electricity meter after the supplier has fund out it’s going backwards?
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Comments
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Are you not supposed to register your system with your supplier to get these Feed in tarrif payments, or have a new meter installed?
Did you wire the system in yourself or was it professionally installed and complient with the appropriate regulations?That gum you like is coming back in style.0 -
Wouldn't the new meter run backwards as well?0
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Those far more clever than me probably know more about it, but I think the OP may need an Export Meter if he wants to flog his excess.
http://www.sellmyelectricity.co.uk/tariff-comparison.phpThat gum you like is coming back in style.0 -
Those far more clever than me probably know more about it, but I think the OP may need an Export Meter if he wants to flog his excess.
http://www.sellmyelectricity.co.uk/tariff-comparison.php
You should have notified your supplier that you are installing generation of any sort.
Your supplier will check if you meter is of a type that will not run backwards and replace it if it is not.
If your meter is running backwards and you dont tell you supplier you could find yourself arrested for theft.IT Consultant in the utilities industry specialising in the retail electricity market.
4 Credit Card and 1 Loan PPI claims settled for £26k, 1 rejected (Opus).0 -
Did you not use an approved installer?
Unless you did, you will not be entitled to claim the lucrative Feed in Tariffs and what about selling your excess electricity?0 -
Correct.
You should have notified your supplier that you are installing generation of any sort.
Your supplier will check if you meter is of a type that will not run backwards and replace it if it is is.
If your meter is running backwards and you dont tell you supplier you could find yourself arrested for theft.
I did notify my supplier and the national grid operator for my region. As far as I know I have told everyone I need to tell about my new solar panels.
My supplier has never asked me if my meter is going backwards. I thought it was meant to go backwards when you are exporting onto the grid.0 -
I did notify my supplier and the national grid operator for my region. As far as I know I have told everyone I need to tell about my new solar panels.
My supplier has never asked me if my meter is going backwards. I thought it was meant to go backwards when you are exporting onto the grid.
Get onto your supplier and tell them what is happening.IT Consultant in the utilities industry specialising in the retail electricity market.
4 Credit Card and 1 Loan PPI claims settled for £26k, 1 rejected (Opus).0 -
My meter ran backwards for many many months after I had mine fitted. I was with npower then, and they weren't bothered. I switched to SSE and they fitted the digital export meter for me for free quite quickly (it basically records how much you have used and how much you have exported - the amount generated comes from your seperate generation meter which you must have). The export meter therefore doesn't run backwards - there is no dial, and the numbers just increase.
You must have installed a big system for the meter to be lower after all your usage - you didn't say how long the period was between readings, but I only generate enough for about 20%-30% of my winter usage in winter (over summer its over 100% though)
You should be OK for FIT because your gen meter will record the generated units. I wouldn't worry about losing the export 3p's though - not worth much, especially over winter
PS I miss it when the meter ran backwards, also when it was stationary and you had stuff on - always quite rewarding (until the wife puts the kettle on)0 -
No. They should either fit a meter that does not run backwards and pay you based on your generation rather than what you export or they need to install an export meter which meters import and export seperately.
Get onto your supplier and tell them what is happening.
My supplier knows about this backward running meter. They are planning to replace it. I'm guessing the new one won't go backwards. I wasn't fitted with an export meter. I think the supplier is going to assume half of what I generate is exported and pay me for that. I haven't worked out yet if I'll be better off or worse off with an export meter. My supplier may not actually let me fit one anyway.
Oh well, it was nice watching the dial go backwards while it lasted. I just wish 'someone' told me this earlier.0 -
PS I miss it when the meter ran backwards, also when it was stationary and you had stuff on - always quite rewarding (until the wife puts the kettle on)
I guess I will know what this feels like soon. It really does feel great to see that little wheel peg it backwards. Last week my electricity meter went back by 8kWh. I'm gonna miss that. Oh well.....such is life.0
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