energy supplier advice needed

ric3188

We had solar panels installed about 3 years ago and have now ended up involved with four different energy companies as a result of the current crisis.
Good Energy only manage our Feed-in Tariff payments after we had to switch to...
Social Energy who used to supply our electricity but now only manage our battery and payments for solar energy we feed back into the grid.
Bulb still supply our gas and we're in credit with them so have been advised not to switch but we don't know what's going to happen in the future so are nervous.
Our electricity supply has been moved to British Gas, a company we are not keen on having had issues with them in the past.
In an ideal world we would have a single green energy company manage and supply everything - is there anything we can do?
At the least we would like to switch from BG to someone we're happier with for our electricity but would we end up on a much higher tariff much earlier than necessary?

[Deleted User]

Bulb is still trading with Government Support so you are in the lucky position of being protected. No doubt in the future, chunks of the business will be sold off but I cannot see this happening anytime soon. The issue at the moment is that suppliers are reluctant to take on new customers on anything but fixed tariff terms. You could, of course, switch both your supplies to Good Energy - however, as one of only 3 truly Green suppliers in the UK their variable tariff is not restricted by the Ofgem Energy Cap.

QrizB

ric3188 said:

In an ideal world we would have a single green energy company manage and supply everything - is there anything we can do?

You could move everything (except your Social Energy contract) back to Good Energy, if you wished.

I thought Social Energy had gone bust. Did their "curious" export-and-battery arrangement survive under separate management?

Gerry1

If you'd be happy with EDF you can switch to their capped SVT but only if you phone them.  They claim to use zero carbon nuclear backed tariffs.

Petriix

I'd get well away from social energy if I were you (and remove their kit and take control of your own battery). It's probably worth moving everything to Octopus. See if you can get on Go then charge the battery at 7.5p overnight. 

QrizB

Petriix said:

I'd get well away from social energy if I were you (and remove their kit and take control of your own battery). It's probably worth moving everything to Octopus. See if you can get on Go then charge the battery at 7.5p overnight. 

And, if you can't get onto Go, their Agile Outgoing tariff is currently quite generous for export.

ric3188

QrizB said:

ric3188 said:

In an ideal world we would have a single green energy company manage and supply everything - is there anything we can do?

You could move everything (except your Social Energy contract) back to Good Energy, if you wished.

I thought Social Energy had gone bust. Did their "curious" export-and-battery arrangement survive under separate management?

Yes, they're still managing the battery. The supply side went bust

Petriix

ric3188 said:

QrizB said:

ric3188 said:

In an ideal world we would have a single green energy company manage and supply everything - is there anything we can do?

You could move everything (except your Social Energy contract) back to Good Energy, if you wished.

I thought Social Energy had gone bust. Did their "curious" export-and-battery arrangement survive under separate management?

Yes, they're still managing the battery. The supply side went bust

What that means is they're using your battery to force you to buy expensive electricity and then export it for their own gains leaving you to pick up the bill.

QrizB

Petriix said:

ric3188 said:

QrizB said:

ric3188 said:

In an ideal world we would have a single green energy company manage and supply everything - is there anything we can do?

You could move everything (except your Social Energy contract) back to Good Energy, if you wished.

I thought Social Energy had gone bust. Did their "curious" export-and-battery arrangement survive under separate management?

Yes, they're still managing the battery. The supply side went bust

What that means is they're using your battery to force you to buy expensive electricity and then export it for their own gains leaving you to pick up the bill.

@ric3188 you need to review how much they are paying you for the privilege of using your battery. If you're unhappy, remove their management equipment and take control of it yourself.

ric3188

People suggesting I take over control of my battery sounds great BUT I have no clue on how to do that

QrizB

ric3188 said:

People suggesting I take over control of my battery sounds great BUT I have no clue on how to do that

One of us - @nicwood - has done so:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/78776220/#Comment_78776220

His post might give you some pointers. If you need more info, drop him a PM and see if you get a reply.