Recently had solar panels installed but electricity meter is still spinning fast

izzyl

I have a solar panel system installed, we had a lot of problems with the system which had to be re-wired/re-sited on our roof three times, and I am still not sure if this system is working to its full potential and I am reluctant to contact the installers as we have so many problems with them. My problem is that my electricity meter is still spinning quite fast and I do not know if it should be spinning at the rate which it is. The firms technical surveyor said the meter would slow down and even go backwards when generating elecricity, also have only made 73 kwatts on my single phase meter and the system was installed in December 2011 but was re-wired/re-sited on our roof middle of January, roof is south east facing and we are in Scotland. As we were told that the system should re-coup the expense almost £11,000 in approx. 8 years I just cannot see that this is feasible. Would appreciate comments as to what we should generate in the phase meter and how the electric meter should run. thank you.

Martyn1981

Hello izzyl, right here we go.

Generation: First we'll need some specs on your system to estimate annual generation.

This is a handy site, if you can work it out.

http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/apps4/pvest.php#

If not, just post your system size e.g. 4kWp,
Orientation, SE is fine, but what roof pitch,
also, no need to give address, but city or nearest city would help.

Hard to tell if 73kWh's is good, bad, or ugly till then.

Meter: Is it one of the old mechanical types with a spinning disk. If so it's possible it could go backwards. Most meters, (particularly the digital ones) don't go backwards. Some very rare ones (Siemens I believe) can even clock up export as import!

You mentioned single phase, were you just being specific, or do you have a 3 phase supply to the property?

Repayment: Most of the income will be through FITs (not electricity savings), however you will need a few more units. Did the installer give you an indication of annual generation?

Let's get the system specs locked down, then go from there with some income and savings estimates.

Mart.

celerity

I'm sorry to say it but there is no way you will get payback in eight years, especially when you take into account the interest that your initial investment would have made over the same period.
I did a lot of calculations and estimates before buying my PV system and I am hoping to break even within 11-13 years.
If the sun is shining, your electricity meter should pretty much stop moving - providing you're not powering a high energy device, such as a kettle, power shower or electric hob.
You don't say the size of your system but for £11K I would expect it is at least 3kWp - so you should easily be generating 2kW when it is sunny - that would be enough to power several TVs, lighting, fridge, dishwasher etc. Hence the meter shouldn't move.

[By the way, when talking about generation over time, the unit to use is kWh (kilowatt hour), not kW]

Good luck!

/\dam

don0301

celerity wrote: »

I'm sorry to say it but there is no way you will get payback in eight years, especially when you take into account the interest that your initial investment would have made over the same period.
I did a lot of calculations and estimates before buying my PV system and I am hoping to break even within 11-13 years.
If the sun is shining, your electricity meter should pretty much stop moving - providing you're not powering a high energy device, such as a kettle, power shower or electric hob.
You don't say the size of your system but for £11K I would expect it is at least 3kWp - so you should easily be generating 2kW when it is sunny - that would be enough to power several TVs, lighting, fridge, dishwasher etc. Hence the meter shouldn't move.

[By the way, when talking about generation over time, the unit to use is kWh (kilowatt hour), not kW]

Good luck!

/\dam

I'm projecting Capital repayment in 5 yrs 65 days at moment :D:D

of course, time will tell.

celerity

don0301 wrote: »

I'm projecting Capital repayment in 5 yrs 65 days at moment :D:D

Nice, but I'm assuming you didn't pay anywhere near £11K then - trade price?

/\dam

don0301

celerity wrote: »

nice, but i'm assuming you didn't pay anywhere near £11k then - trade price?

/\dam

I paid £12495 :D:D

celerity

Similar to what I paid - I think you're being optimistic, but good luck .

don0301

celerity wrote: »

Similar to what I paid - I think you're being optimistic, but good luck .

I'll be posting details at the end of the month

but you're right, and as I've said, it is a projection.

poppysarah

We've made over 200kw on a 3.29kw system since Dec 8th 2011.


I assume you mean the single phase meter is the generation meter.

Make daily readings of your electric use and then compare to previous usage.
Some people's meters can't cope with it and go mad -

It's been grotty weather but we made over 16 units on the sunny day the other day.


http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/board,7.0.html
This is a PV board where some really useful people hang out!

sly_dog_jonah

Based on our first four months' generation (exceeding PVGIS by 25%), our capital repayment point is currently estimated at around 5y7m. However we did pay <£9k for a 3.7kWp system (family business), including Building Control inspection, planning permission questionnaire and SoloPV monitor. If we use the PVGIS estimate the payback is around 6y8m.

To the OP: sounds like you should inform your electricity supplier that you have a old meter that may be running backwards. So long as you notify them (in writing so you have proof) then they shouldn't be able to claw back any estimated under-payment of imported electrcity. If you wait though, you may have a hard time fighting any such demand.

izzyl

thank you for all the replies,I have been asked re system, my system is 12 panels x 195w, size is 2.34, invertor is a sonnen macht, generation meter is landis single phase meter e110,(I have only the one meter and the invertor which is in the loft) my roof faces south east, pitch is 45 degrees, our home is in Glasgow, and I would appreciate your comments as I am worried because of all the problems we have had with re-wiring/re-siting of these panels. again thanks to all the people who have taken the time/effort to reply.