Electricity meter going backwards after installing Solar PV

Llubrevlis

Cardew wrote: »

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.

Thanks very much.

I hear from a local farmer if you get a grant for instillation you dont get as much per unit you sell back. Is that right?

Cardew

Llubrevlis wrote: »

Thanks very much.

I hear from a local farmer if you get a grant for instillation you dont get as much per unit you sell back. Is that right?

You now don't get a grant for installation*, it used to be £2,500 for domestic properties; the higher subsidy for each unit(called Feed in Tariff -FIT) has taken over.

* there are some 'local' grants in some locations.

rdwarf12

rdwarf12 wrote: »

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.

The plot thicken's, the BG engineer actually a contractor company called onStream turned up to change the meter today. He opens the meter cupboard and turns to me and says your meter is running backwards. To that I replied yes thats why you are here, we have solar panels which are causing this.

Engineer goes off to his van to call the office !!, after 10 mins he receives a callback. I am then informed their have no meters that will work. If he fits a digital meter it will sense the flow is going backwards and shutdown. I am not sure what will happen next, the engineer will report back to BG that the meter cannot be changed, then I guess I will get a call or letter explaining BG next steps ?

I am confused, as I know from this thread that a SEE engineer fitted a meter that can do the job. So I am now wondering why british gas cannot solve this.

For good measure I have also email and informed the British Gas FITs team of what happened.

rdwarf12

rdwarf12 wrote: »

The plot thicken's, the BG engineer actually a contractor company called onStream turned up to change the meter today. He opens the meter cupboard and turns to me and says your meter is running backwards. To that I replied yes thats why you are here, we have solar panels which are causing this.

Engineer goes off to his van to call the office !!, after 10 mins he receives a callback. I am then informed their have no meters that will work. If he fits a digital meter it will sense the flow is going backwards and shutdown. I am not sure what will happen next, the engineer will report back to BG that the meter cannot be changed, then I guess I will get a call or letter explaining BG next steps ?

I am confused, as I know from this thread that a SEE engineer fitted a meter that can do the job. So I am now wondering why british gas cannot solve this.

For good measure I have also email and informed the British Gas FITs team of what happened.

Finally a new meter was installed today 6th August. Its quite small compared to what I had previously. It has 2 output readings one say 't' for taken and the other 'r' for returned. It was fitted by Onstream a BG contractor.
Now all that remains is for BG to sort out the billing side of this.

Andy_WSM

rdwarf12 wrote: »

Finally a new meter was installed today 6th August. Its quite small compared to what I had previously. It has 2 output readings one say 't' for taken and the other 'r' for returned.

Interesting. Will you be paid the extra "3 p's" based upon the return reading or based upon 50% of your production still?

It would be interesting to see what you produced versus what you returned too.

rdwarf12

For now under the FITs scheme it will remain 50% based on the Total Generation Meter readings.

James_2nd

I also am with British gas and have just had Solar PV panels fitted. I read in an earlier letter that their supplier would have made them change to a dearer Tarriff, Do British Gas do this? Will you be charged for the new meter?
Thanking you.

rdwarf12

I am still on the same tariff and I was not charged for the meter replacement.

FYI I am pretty sure you do not need to register for FITs with your current supplier.

James_2nd

Thank you.
I am now waiting for my FIT Certificate to arrive then I will register.

liquidity_2

trapperjem wrote: »

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.

This is the first I've read of an energy supplier dictating which tariff you must be on in order to receive the FIT through them. Seems rather unfair!