Switching energy suppliers with solar panels

sophj

Hi I am looking to switch suppliers as my energy bill just keeps getting bigger. How ever I have solar panels on the property and have been told only the big 6 I can be with. I am currently with British Gas for both and pay a standard variable rate. Feb 20- Feb 21 my bill for both was £1400 we are a family of 4 and we do use a lot of electric. When we moved into the property we had top up meters which I am lead to believe this is the most expensive. I have done comparison sites before but I am stuck when it come to how much it will cost monthly/yearly because I use the top up (don’t mind changing this) also they never ask about solar panels. What is the best way to go and what is the best thing to look for when pricing up. Thanks

couriervanman

Do your solar panels store energy or is it just the cheapo use it whilst the suns out 

sophj

The cheapo council fitted them a few years back. We tend to try and do all the washing etc during the days instead of night.  

tim_p

What’s ‘cheapo’ about a council that gave you free solar panels??
Presumably they are solar PV and not hot water ones? You will be benefiting from them but need to be aware of the best times to make use of them. Savings won’t be huge (depending on # of panels) but better than nothing. 

In terms of  supplier - forget the panels, they’re not relevant, simply find a supplier on a comparison site with the best deal for you. Enter your annual consumption into the sites and make your choice. 

sophj

Cheapo as in it does not store anything when daylight has gone it goes back to grid but 100% better than nothing. They was on the house when we bought it.
would going on a direct debit be cheaper than a top up meter?
Also so I be looking at the price per kWh?
again thank you 

tim_p

DD is generally cheaper, most things are cheaper than a top up meter. Yes, you’re basically looking to get as low as possible price per kWh, along with a reasonable standing order. If you’re high users then the lower kWh price is much more important than a s/c that’s a few pence higher than average. 

[Deleted User]

No supplier is interested in your solar panels, and you are free to choose any supplier for your gas and electricity supplies. Your Council may have a generation contract with British Gas but this will not change if you switch suppliers.

sophj

Perfect thank you all. On the phone now found a deal that will save me £145 a year on pre pay looking now to switch the meter to a credit meter I’ll update with a price.
again thank you massive help 

Gerry1

sophj said:

 found a deal that will save me £145 a year on pre pay

Credit is definitely the way to go, but always ignore all projections and savings claims, just compare annual costs based on kWh derived from actual meter readings.

Start comparing with Citizens Advice and 'Which? Switch' and check whether separate suppliers are cheaper.

[Deleted User]

sophj said:

Perfect thank you all. On the phone now found a deal that will save me £145 a year on pre pay looking now to switch the meter to a credit meter I’ll update with a price.
again thank you massive help 

Look carefully at the savings as they are not always accurate. Compare cost now with cost new using KWhs/year for both gas and electricity.

sophj

Yes I have been looking at kwh 
so I am with British Gas on pre pay smart meter
electric unit 16.46p
electric standard charge 27.85
i used 4686kwh costing me 896.37 a year

gas unit 2.86
gas standard charge 36.19
i used 13830 costing me 575.43 a year

edf have quote me to switch to credit meter
1 year fixed 
electric unit rate 16.01
electric standard charge 19.53
based on the about usage would cost me 821 a year

gas unit rate 2.78
gas standard charge 20.79
based on the above usage would cost me 821.3 a year 

so with British Gas I paid £1471 feb20 to feb21
edf same usage would be £1282.

and the price hike for British Gas are going to about9% 

is this a good deal.??