Freetricity solar panels

zeupater

nigelpm wrote: »

Quite!

What's the deal if you change energy supplier as well?

That might generate complications into the mix as presumably the new supplier can only back-bill you for the period you've been under their custom.

Hi

In that case a closing/opening meter reading would be required as part of the change process ... if the meter still runs backwards the new supplier will use this as their datum point. However, that doesn't preclude the original supplier from attempting to recover a debt and possibly taking whatever measures which they are allowed to recover that debt within a reasonable period. After all, energy has been used which hasn't been measured/billed and intentionally attempting to avoid payment would/could/should be considered as being fraudulent .... much better to let them know, argue the point over their estimated usage (the only possible issue open for discussion) and agree a mutually acceptable payment.

HTH
Z

Martyn1981

Here's some guidance issued by the National Measurement Office / OFGEM in February:

Import supply meters affected by onsite generation

Suppliers

The Electricity Act 1989 sets requirements for electricity meters used for billing purposes. Under Schedule 77of the Electricity Act, customers of electricity suppliers who are charged by reference to the quantity of electricity supplied to them must have their supply provided through an appropriate meter. Unless a customer offers to supply an appropriate meter themselves, it must be provided and maintained by the supplier.

We expect that where licensed electricity suppliers are notified of a problem with the import supply meter, or where their own internal systems identify a possible problem, they will investigate and resolve this as soon as possible. This is highlighted in paragraph 5.17 of the current FIT guidance document8. The statutory responsibility for Schedule 7 (with the exception of paragraph 12) sits with the NMO.

The NMO does not consider meters affected by on-site generation9 to be appropriate, as required by the Electricity Act, because of the negative impact on consumer billing and electricity settlement. Those meters that are deemed inappropriate for the purposes of the Electricity Act should be exchanged. If the supplier is aware the meter is inappropriate and does not take steps to change the meter they will not be meeting the obligations they have under the Electricity Act.

In line with the Standards of Conduct (SOC)10, Ofgem expects consumers to be treated fairly by suppliers and their representatives and in accordance with legislation and the relevant back-billing principles. The SOC is enforceable and came into force on 26 August 2013. The SOC covers three broad areas; behaviour, information and process. The onus will be on suppliers to embed fair treatment of consumers in every level of their organisation so they behave in an honest, fair, transparent, appropriate and professional manner. Suppliers will also have to provide information that is clear, accurate, complete, appropriate, relevant and not misleading. They will have to ensure that they are easily contactable, act promptly and courteously to put things right. A supplier’s customer service arrangements and processes must be complete, thorough, fit for purpose and transparent.

and the discussion thread I lifted it from (first post):

Meters- backwards running and non suitable

Mart.

stetaylor101

Hello I would highly advise against having these panels put up by Freetricity or anyone else for that matter.

My mother has these panels and I am in the process of attempting to buy her house off her. These panels are causing a major headache, mortgage lenders will only consider lending on the house if it meets the requirements laid out in the CML handbook. This states that the landlord and tenant act must be excluded and that there must be a stat declaration. We are currently really struggling to obtain the stat dec, without this NO MORTGAGE lender will provide a loan on the property. What is even worse is that if the landlord and tenant act is not excluded and the stat dec does not exist then the company has every right to extend the lease beyond the 25 year agreement indefinitely and they there is no legal way to get out of the lease EVER! If you insist on going through with this ensure that you seek legal advice from a commercial property solicitor.