Solar PV Export Meter - to fit or not?

Scrooge2

Sorry if this have been covered before, but I just installed a 2.45kWp solar PV system in my house last week. My utility supplier, Southern Electric/SSE has offered to fit a free export meter.

Should I take this up or just assume that 50% of what is generated is exported. I know for a fact that for my (small) system this equates to only around £31/year.

Would I be better off financially NOT to have an export meter fitted? Does it mean that without an export meter SSE will pay me £31/yr even though if I use up ALL of the generated power myself during the daytime as there is no way they would know how much I have used and/or exported ? I do have a 'total generation' meter fitted by the MCS installers (via Tesco).

I was thinking that without an export meter, I can try and use all of the electric generated during the day, and not export - and yet receive the £31/yr from SSE as there is no export meter. Or does it not work like that??

Many thanks in antipcation ....

Cardew

You have described the situation accurately - you can choose to claim an assumed 50% of your generated electricity, or actual exported kWh.

Bear in mind that EST have stated that on average 25% of generated electricity is used in the house; thus 75% exported; and several MSE posters with export meters are in agreement with that figure.

Frankly you will do very well to use 50% in the house.

Scrooge2

Thanks for your reply, Cardew - appreciated. Guess then it seems financially more beneficial for me to have SSE install an export meter on my property after all if EST/MSE export figures are to go by i.e., 75% vs assumed 50%.
Wonder how many solar PV owners have opted for that too, i.e., having export meters installed rather than basing on the assumed 50% exported.....

Brummie71

[STRIKE]Southern are the only supplier that I know of fitting export meters to small installations [/STRIKE](*Looks down*). Others will fit them to large installations, but are likely to charge to fit and an annual charge for maintenance that will, as green_energy_man points out, wipe out the export savings. Practically, if you are expecting to gain £31 through export, then having a meter fitted is likely to bring you only an extra £15 a year, assuming that you don't increase your usage. Thinking about your lifestyle and perhaps using the washing machine or dishwasher during the day could increase the amount of power you retain in your home. Bear in mind also that it is an either/or - if you have an export meter, then you WILL be paid on the basis of that, not on a 50/50.

Scrooge2

Thanks for the advice - appreciated! Southern Electric has come back to say that they will now not be fitting export meters, but will assume 50% either way.
So will try and make full use of the washing machine/dryer/dish washer during the day, as you suggested - especially on a day like this with the Indian summer we are experiencing!