Trouble getting export meter fitted to replace SMETS1

RalfyM

I thought the timing with which I ordered a solar install couldn't have been better. Component prices were cheap, and then the whole cost of gas increase started in earnest. I am due to have solar fitted in April. But then companies started going bust and mine, Bulb, went into special administration. My installer told me my existing SMETS1 smart meter does not allow export and that only suppliers can change meters at a cost. So a couple of months ago I got on to Bulb about paying for this swap out. I got given a price and then things went quiet. Eventually this led to contacting the complaints team who point blank said Bulb are not swapping out meters. It turns out I wasted two months of my time. Given the status of Bulb complaints are falling on deaf ears.

My options, I thought, would be to swap to another supplier offering a similar tariff come April, but those suppliers are not taking on new customers. The biggies are taking on new customers, may or may not fit a new meter, but their tariffs are much more expensive. Have I run out of options here? Am I going to have to suck it up and push out my ROI due to not getting paid for exporting? Is there really no other option for getting an export meter fitted, even agreeing to pay for the removal of the (dumb mode) SMETS1?

QrizB

Welcome to the forum.

Many SMETS1 meters can measure export; are you sure yours doesn't?

Have you applied to Bulb to join their SEG for export?

MWT

Export metering was part of the SMETS1 spec, so that shouldn't be a problem.

Bulb even have a page explaining how to read the export register on a wide range of meters that appears to include common SMETS1 models like 'Secure' ...

https://help.bulb.co.uk/hc/en-us/articles/360038457032-Taking-an-export-reading-from-a-smart-meter

RalfyM

Thanks for the prompt response and link.

I have an EDMI Atlas Mk78 which my installer tells me doesn't do exporting. I couldn't see that meter listed in the link. The factsheet for this meter does tell me it has exporting as a measured value but I can't find a document on the edmi-meters site about how I can get to this, and indeed if a supplier would take that information. Further compounded by the fact comms with Bulb is currently extremely difficult.

Bulb have details of my meter and at no point after mentioning this is for a solar install have they said anything about not needing to change meter. Again, comms with Bulb is fraught so the right information may not be getting to me.

RalfyM

Make that EDMI Atlas Mk7B. D'oh!

MWT

Here are the instructions on how to read the export register...

https://www.westernpower.co.uk/downloads/232

RalfyM

Firstly, thank you very much. Secondly, if only I'd come here sooner. Could have saved myself a whole load of time. Also clear I went by what the experts told me. Gonna try getting that export reading now. In theory it should be zero...

MWT

You will still need to get Bulb to assign an export MPAN, but that should be relatively straightforward I would hope.

Even without the MPAN the meter will still record any export though.

[Deleted User]

MWT said:

You will still need to get Bulb to assign an export MPAN, but that should be relatively straightforward I would hope.

Even without the MPAN the meter will still record any export though.

Straightforward in the sense that the supplier will want to see MCS Certification and DNO approval for the installation before it applies to the DNO for an export MPAN.

MWT

Bulb do not insist on MCS, they will take other equivalent scheme, such as Flexi-Orb.

Ectophile

When EDF were heavily pushing their SMETS1 meters, I specifically asked them about exports.  I was informed that their meters were not calibrated for export, and so anything they measured couldn't be used.