Solar Panel Checking installation

Pjpern

I was one of those that had free solar panels. I understand that the energy I use created by these is mine while any not used by me goes to the company. IS THERE ANY WAY TO CHECK THIS? I don't seem to see much benefit and wondered if there is a separate company who can check whether it was set up correctly so I am really getting benefit rather than it all going into the company's pocket who set it up to begin with. Anything I can do? Or any company who can help in this respect. 

QrizB

Your solar panel installation should have a generation meter associated with it. If you read that meter periodically (daily//weekly/monthly) you'll see it counting up. This is the electricity generated by the system.

If you have a smart meter, the meter will also tell you how much electricity you export. This is electricity generated by the system and sent to the grid.

The electricity you use is the difference between the two.

If you don't have a smart meter it's much more difficult to work this out.

MWT

If it helps, there is no way for them to be exporting the solar production without first reducing your import to zero, so you have to be benefiting from whatever it is producing.

[Deleted User]

Pjpern said:

I was one of those that had free solar panels. I understand that the energy I use created by these is mine while any not used by me goes to the company. IS THERE ANY WAY TO CHECK THIS? I don't seem to see much benefit and wondered if there is a separate company who can check whether it was set up correctly so I am really getting benefit rather than it all going into the company's pocket who set it up to begin with. Anything I can do? Or any company who can help in this respect. 

There is absolutely no way that the owner of the panels is getting anything more than the FIT and export payments based on the energy that your panels generate. If you are not using all the surplus energy that your panels are producing, then the only beneficiary is the Grid. The owner of the panels is NOT being paid anymore as most export payments are based on 50% of the energy that is generated.

If you were the beneficial owner of the panels and you were using just, say, 25% of the electricity that your panels generate, then you could forgo the deemed export payment in favour of what are known as SEG payments. You would then be paid for every kWh that your panels export which could result in a slightly higher payment than deemed export. Sadly, as a 'renter' you cannot avail yourself of this change.

Pjpern

Sorry, I have no idea of the terms you use such as FIT and export payments. Am I right in thinking that the electricity I use comes from either the grid or the solar panels. If the solar part is working, not so much is taken from the grid. You say that the excess produced that I am not using goes back to the grid. The solar owners have a modem which gives them their readings so I guess they know how that part works between them. I will check readings on my smart meter and the one in the loft (I think) and see what the difference is here. Are you talking about the normal smart meter or one specific to the panels? Thanks all for your great help and I hope you understand I'm no expert!!

MWT

If you have a generation meter in the loft then read that one and the export register on your smart meter at the same time then read them again 24 hours later.

You should find that the generation meter has recorded more than the export meter over that period.

The difference is the amount you have used from the solar generation.

It will not be a lot this time of year but will be much more useful in the summer.

Benny2020

The company that owns the panels benefits by the FIT payments, that is they are paid a certain amount per KWH that the panels produce, they do not take any of the electricity.
If you had paid for them then you get the power generated and a payment ( i get 17p per kwh)
It sounds like you need to make better use of the power generated.

Pjpern

Benny2020 said The company that owns the panels benefits by the FIT payments, that is they are paid a certain amount per KWH that the panels produce, they do not take any of the electricity.

If you had paid for them then you get the power generated and a payment ( i get 17p per kwh)
It sounds like you need to make better use of the power generated.

That's a bit rough! I wanted to find out if there was any way to find out how good they were and whether I could check they are set up correctly. Now you say I need to make better use of power generated!! Amazing how you know that. Can you read my smart meter?

Benny2020

Ok, you don't need to make better use of the power generated.
Was the rest of my answer ok?

Benny2020

"I don't seem to see much benefit "

This is what i was responding to as i see an enormous benefit from my panels in both electric and gas usage. 

QrizB

Pjpern said:

... I will check readings on my smart meter ...

If you have a smart meter, do you also have the in-home display (IHD) that came with it? This should  show that, when the sun shines, your electricity consumption falls and (if yours it like mine) you'll see effectively zero electricity use for most of the day.

This is you benefitting from the solar panels.

If you don't have an IHD, you can get almost the same information from http://www.n3rgy.com/ or by installing the Hildebrand Bright app on your phone or tablet.