meter readings on bill

shadylady1

Would like to pick your brains if possible, please. We had the free solar panels put up quite some while back, can you please tell me if we should be able to see how much electricity we used, and how much went to the board on the energy bills? We can only see meter readings that show on the meter. Many thanks for any answers.
This is my first message, so apologise if I have done anything wrong.:)

penrhyn

You should have a generation meter which will show the total generated by the panels, normally its assumed that 50 % of the generated power is fed back to the grid.
I suggest you repost on the green and ethical board, people on there know more about it.


http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=100

macman

You will never know how much goes to the grid (not the 'board') unless you have an export meter.
For the purposes of your FIT's billing, you (or in the case of 'free' solar panels, the panel leaseholder) are paid on a deemed 50% of generation being exported.

shadylady1

Thanks to both Penrhyn and Macman. Talk about being green as grass (newbie), I had a job finding green and ethical, but have just found it, and will definitely post on there. Macman, do you get the export meter from the energy supplier? Or is it something they should have supplied us with anyway, what does it look like, and who would have to fit it? Kind Regards Shadylady 1

penrhyn

Since it is not your system I would not have thought you are able to modify it.
I'd contact your rent a roof company and ask them.

macman

As I said, you don't need an export meter, the rent a roof co. are paid the FIT's based on 50% of your generation meter output.
If the panel provider wanted an export meter, they would have fitted one. As above, leave the system alone because it's not yours.
Your only benefit is whatever you can use from that total generation.

shadylady1

Thank you both again, it has eased my mind, knowing everything is ok. Kind Regards :T

System

shadylady1 wrote: »

Would like to pick your brains if possible, please. We had the free solar panels put up quite some while back, can you please tell me if we should be able to see how much electricity we used, and how much went to the board on the energy bills? We can only see meter readings that show on the meter. Many thanks for any answers.
This is my first message, so apologise if I have done anything wrong.:)

FWiW, we had PV Solar installed 3 years ago. We have a 2.15KW system installed and my wife and I are both retired. Because we are at home most days, we can do a lot to ensure that the washing machine goes on when the sun is out etc. My estimate is that we use about 60% of the energy that the roof generates which equates to about 1100KWhs saving per year. That said, we have to work hard at achieving this level of PV energy use. I base my estimates on the actual annual electricity consumption in my last bill prior to the installation of PV Solar and my annual consumption on each anniversary from the date of installation.

If I wasn't at home during the day, then I would consider installing the clever box that diverts unused generated electricity to a HW immersion heater. Sadly, as other have suggested, your agreement with the PV Solar company may not permit this type of modification.