Electricity meter going backwards after installing Solar PV

trapperjem

LongWalk wrote: »

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.

I've recently 2.1kw pv panels and my meter just stops or goes ever so slightly backwards.

I haven't told Npower about the installation. Npower would have made me change to their Juice tariff costing me £250 more a year. I've stayed on the same tariff and signed up with Eon for the FIT. You don't have to get the FIT from the same company as your supplier. Eon pay me the 41.3p per unit Feed in Tariff plus 50% of everything i generate @ 3p unit as an estimated export tariff.

This was better for me because i could keep my cheaper dual fuel tariff with Npower and not pay £30 penalty for leaving them before the 12 month period was up. I hope this is ok.

rdwarf12

I have hit this same problem, my meter runs backwards. I am a British Gas (BG) customer and I am also FITs registered with BG.

When I registered the FITs team informed me that I did not need to inform the BG supplier side as they will know via internal means. I enquired because my monthly direct debit will need reducing.

So far I have heard nothing from BG, I strongly suspect there internal communications are not functioning especially in this new areas of FITs and micro generation.

I would like to inform them stating clearly "your damm meter runs backwards". However I have been told if I do this BG may well bill me for the replacement meter.

Has anyone been billed for informing there supplier of old meters in
regard to solar generation ?
Or can you suggest the best approach i.e inform the BG FITs team rather then the supply side of BG.

Joyful

AS you say it is probably the case that there is lack of information from the billing side about this new technology. I would contact the FIT team for advice.

spiro

Joyful wrote: »

AS you say it is probably the case that there is lack of information from the billing side about this new technology. I would contact the FIT team for advice.

I would also put it in writing (email) so that when they realise that you consumpotion has dropped or your meter has been running backwards you dont have Revenue Protection (theft police) investigating you.

rdwarf12

The FITs team have been informed via email. Lets hope honesty is
indeed the best policy.

molerat

The majority of energy suppliers cannot manage to competentley bill for energy supplied so what hope do you hold for them managing to sort out the reverse as well :rotfl:

DVardysShadow

spiro wrote: »

If your meter is running backwards and you dont tell you supplier you could find yourself arrested for theft.

I think that this is a little bit melodramatic.

rdwarf12

After a little wait I got a response from BG about the meter. The FITs team have arranged a new meter installation in 8 days time. No real drama I got the impression I was not the first call on this subject of solar and old meters.

Llubrevlis

Is it true you can earn a grand a year tax free from selling back to the grid?

Cardew

Llubrevlis wrote: »

Is it true you can earn a grand a year tax free from selling back to the grid?

There are several threads on this in the 'Green' forum that you should read.

Essentially if you install Solar PV panels you can get a subsidy for every unit(kWh) that the panels generate(not just the units you sell back to the grid) and that can indeed exceed 'a grand a year tax free'.

However like most things in life it isn't quite that simple, in that you have to have a suitable roof facing South(more or less) and large and strong enough for the panels.

For a system large enough to generate income of £1,000 you will have to pay an approved MCS installer somewhere between £12,000 to £15,000.