So now I have a solar PV system how do I make the most of it???

EricMears

electricgreenmachine wrote: »

Good grief!
Many thanks for that. I had no idea. If I had not been reading these posts I would never have thought there was anything wrong.
I am amazed that the installers did not mention it.

Although I still don't understand why they need to estimate anything as it still goes the right way when we are using more than we produce. So it still shows exactly what we have used from the supplier.
I am still a bit confused. Surely this gives them a better idea than having to assume I export 50% of what I produce.

The installers should have checked that and told you and there was a question about it on your FIT form.

But no, having some of your generated electricity subtracted from your usage doesn't make it easy to work out what the correct usage was.

Even if you use more than you generate over a year, the 'nett metering' would mean that you'd be paid 10p (or so) per unit exported rather than the 3p you should be getting and there's absolutely no way of knowing what proportion of the generated power was actually being exported from the system. Easy sum to do if everything generated is exported but too many variables if that's not the case.

grahamc2003

electricgreenmachine wrote: »

Good grief!
Many thanks for that. I had no idea. If I had not been reading these posts I would never have thought there was anything wrong.
I am amazed that the installers did not mention it.

Although I still don't understand why they need to estimate anything as it still goes the right way when we are using more than we produce. So it still shows exactly what we have used from the supplier.
I am still a bit confused. Surely this gives them a better idea than having to assume I export 50% of what I produce.

On my fit application form (for scottish power), there was a question 'does your meter run backwards?. Since mine is a digital meter, I knew it didn't, but how the average joe is supposed to know I have no idea. I would expect the installers to answer the question for you - mine filled in all the boxes I couldn't. It wouldn't surprise me if it was a requirement for the installers to check the fit form.

As you say, in some ways, it would make more sense if everyone's meter registered exported generation. But the powers that be designed a system where the benefits to owners (which of course are burdens on all other electricity customers and taxpayers, so there's a balance to be struck) didn't include actual exported generation (probably because these days most people don't have backward spinning meters, and if they do, many won't register the export even if they spin backwards). Instead, we get a deemed 50% export payment at a rate at which the grid effectievely buys electricity of other generators (instead of the retail price, which a backward spinning and registering meter implies).

KevinG

grahamc2003 wrote: »

On my fit application form (for scottish power), there was a question 'does your meter run backwards?. Since mine is a digital meter, I knew it didn't, but how the average joe is supposed to know I have no idea.

Indeed, and I answered yes, but they don't take any notice of it. It's not that hard for the "average joe" to work out - sun comes out, meter runs backwards, job done!

KevinG

EricMears wrote: »

But no, having some of your generated electricity subtracted from your usage doesn't make it easy to work out what the correct usage was.

But your generation meter tells you what you have generated and from this, a reasonable calculation of the underpayment can be made by charging you for an assumed 50% of the units you have generated. Whether this is the way they would actually calculate it I don't know, but it seems fairer than basing it on any estimates of consumption.

electricgreenmachine

A very big thank you to wuthton, Cardew, EricMears, grahamc2003.
You have been very helpful and by the sounds of it prevented me getting into a lot of trouble.
I am going to contact the installers today and see what to do.

By the way I have just double checked my FiT forms and all my paperwork and there is no mention or question about meters running backwards. So absolutely nothing anywhere to alert me to anything untoward.
I am just grateful to you all for your quick and helpful response.

It does raise the question as to how many people out there are in this situation and unwittingly stealing electricity. I would never have known if I had not posted the question here. And presumably one day in the future it would be discovered and doubtless I would have faced a hefty bill and probably accused of doing it deliberately.

More than a little worrying.

Thanks again for your help.

Cardew

You wouldn't get into a lot of trouble. Many people will be in the same position as yourself and not realise what is happening.

If you have been with your present company a while they will have a history of your consumption which they will use as a baseline - less what they estimate you have used from your panels.

jackieblack

The FIT application I filled in (E-on) didn't ask that question either.
But I have (purposefully) never looked at my import meter during daylight hours when it is bright/sunny

John_Pierpoint

As (expensive) smart meters are on the horizon, you supplier may choose not to replace your meter, but as the number of FiT claimants rises they are likely to put a team on the job. The modern electronic meters are the size of a post card. They have a flashing red light that flashes everytime a Watt goes through them and glow permanent red when the energy is going through in reverse. Once you have done that the meter offers a scrolling series of readings one of which reads rEd.

There are dozens of threads about meters playing up when faced with backwards flowing electricity.

One of the most fun filled is here
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3191844

Plot_Vendor

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

If you go to the top of this page of the thread you will find "search this thread".
Click this and then click "advanced search"
Enter my name in the appropriate search box (it is case sensitive).
Voila [OMG have a really made 70 postings on this thread].
Those postings since 14feb12 might be of interest to you.

Thanks JP.

Assuming you have an "Aurora" of USA or Italian manufacture - does it have a rubber aerial hanging out of the right hand side bottom of the casing (where all the wires loop in)?

It's allegedly in my loft although I've never seen or heard it,as I was out on install day. So I'm taking their word for it - well, that and the manual they left . Perhaps now is the time to invest in a stepladder!

So you have panels on both sides of a roof with a ridge running North <-> South ? You definitely need to watch those readouts through the day to understand what is happening.

Sorry, I meant to say that my panels are on my east facing roof with the ridge running N-S.

Generation today 6.077kW

don0301

Plot_Vendor wrote: »

Thanks JP.




It's allegedly in my loft although I've never seen or heard it,as I was out on install day. So I'm taking their word for it - well, that and the manual they left . Perhaps now is the time to invest in a stepladder!



Sorry, I meant to say that my panels are on my east facing roof with the ridge running N-S.

Generation today 6.077kW

Sepp Blatter?

Don't mention the war!