Solar Panels and Smart Meters

voddyman

Hi, Not sure if this is in the correct place, but my query is I have solar panels and I would like to know how these new " smart meters " will affect the feed in tariff..I know that it is not compulsory for me to have one of these meters fitted.

Presently I am "deemed" as paying 50% back into the electricity main grid, however with the new smart meters I believe the utility companies will know exactly how much electric that I will be feeding back into the main grid, which therefore may reduce the amount that i get paid back through the feed in tariff.
Am I correct in saying this or will it not make any difference at all?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

:beer:

Cardew

You would be better posting this in the 'Green and Ethical' section of this forum.


That is where the solar enthusiasts and experts post - and where your issue has been discussed.


A smart meter will not affect your FIT in any way as you are paid that subsidy for every kWh your panels generate.


As you say, you currently get export payments for a 'deemed' 50% of your generated kWh. Some people export more than 50% and others less than 50%. As I understand it, the jury is still out on the effect smart meters will have on export payments. It would appear that those who export more than 50% might gain, and those who generate less than 50% would lose.


However as I intimated above I don't think dates and procedures are yet firm. Also it is quite possible that those in receipt of FIT might not have the option to refuse a smart meter.

Sterlingtimes

voddyman wrote: »

Presently I am "deemed" as paying 50% back into the electricity main grid, however with the new smart meters I believe the utility companies will know exactly how much electric that I will be feeding back into the main grid, which therefore may reduce the amount that i get paid back through the feed in tariff.

I took the smart meter from Ovo and immediately lost my "deemed export" facility. This is stated in the Ovo conditions and reflects the regulatory position. Since I use more than 50% of my electricity prior to diversion to the immersion, I lose out.

I have to read my smart meter quarterly and email the meter reading to Ovo. Ovo appears not to be able to read the export reading remotely.

The physical meter reader who still attends every six months to read my smart meter does not take export readings.

voddyman

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

I took the smart meter from Ovo and immediately lost my "deemed export" facility. This is stated in the Ovo conditions and reflects the regulatory position. Since I use more than 50% of my electricity prior to diversion to the immersion, I lose out.

I have to read my smart meter quarterly and email the meter reading to Ovo. Ovo appears not to be able to read the export reading remotely.

The physical meter reader who still attends every six months to read my smart meter does not take export readings.

Oh dear, looks like I'm going to lose out then, unless i refuse to have one installed :mad:

Sterlingtimes

voddyman wrote: »

Oh dear, looks like I'm going to lose out then, unless i refuse to have one installed :mad:

You will lose out if your supplier seeks to enforce the provision as Ovo did for me.

voddyman

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

You will lose out if your supplier seeks to enforce the provision as Ovo did for me.

So as I actually get my dual fuel from Scottish Power, but I get paid my F.I.T. from Good Energy, which one should I contact, Scottish Power or Good Energy?

System

voddyman wrote: »

Hi, Not sure if this is in the correct place, but my query is I have solar panels and I would like to know how these new " smart meters " will affect the feed in tariff..I know that it is not compulsory for me to have one of these meters fitted.

Presently I am "deemed" as paying 50% back into the electricity main grid, however with the new smart meters I believe the utility companies will know exactly how much electric that I will be feeding back into the main grid, which therefore may reduce the amount that i get paid back through the feed in tariff.
Am I correct in saying this or will it not make any difference at all?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.

:beer:

Why go for smart meters now when the Data Communications Company has yet to go live and the meter you will get will be SMETS1 as opposed to the new SMETS2 standard? Wait a couple of years, and you will be able to switch suppliers without your smart meter losing its connectivity.

voddyman

Hengus wrote: »

Why go for smart meters now when the Data Communications Company has yet to go live and the meter you will get will be SMETS1 as opposed to the new SMETS2 standard? Wait a couple of years, and you will be able to switch suppliers without your smart meter losing its connectivity.

The only reason I'm asking is that I've heard through the grapevine that Scottish Power are installing them in my area and I just wanted to know if I'd be better to say NO at the moment until I get more info and it actually goes live. i believe I'm correct in saying that I do NOT have to accept these smart meters?

System

voddyman wrote: »

The only reason I'm asking is that I've heard through the grapevine that Scottish Power are installing them in my area and I just wanted to know if I'd be better to say NO at the moment until I get more info and it actually goes live. i believe I'm correct in saying that I do NOT have to accept these smart meters?

At the moment, you have the legal right to say 'NO - Thank you'.

reeac

We get our electricity from Ovo and have a Smart meter which cannot communicate with them due to poor signal strength. We also have PV panels and nPower continue pay us the FIT as they have done for over 5 years now.
I can't see how the Smart meter can calculate the PV input to the grid without knowing also the actual household consumption as well as the net flow through the Smart meter.

Sterlingtimes

reeac wrote: »

We get our electricity from Ovo and have a Smart meter which cannot communicate with them due to poor signal strength. We also have PV panels and nPower continue pay us the FIT as they have done for over 5 years now.
I can't see how the Smart meter can calculate the PV input to the grid without knowing also the actual household consumption as well as the net flow through the Smart meter.

Ovo's smart meter failed to work for months until eventually Ovo agreed to return to fix an external aerial.

The smart meter detects direction of current, so it can measure the power in and the power out. Household energy consumption does not need to be be measured.