We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Solar PV and Smart Meter

Freepost
Freepost Posts: 227
Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
Forumite
in Green & ethical MoneySaving
Short question, are you forced to have a Smart Meter installed if you have a new Solar PV system installed?


Of course, depending on the answers, more questions will follow;-)

F.
«13

Comments

  • QrizB
    QrizB Posts: 25,099
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Forumite
    Freepost said:
    Short question, are you forced to have a Smart Meter installed if you have a new Solar PV system installed?
    It depends.
    If you've already got a relatively modern electronic but non-smart meter, you can probably keep it.
    If you've got a "spinning disc" electromechanical meter, it will probably need replacing and the only replacement you'll get is a smart meter.
    If you want to be paid for export you'll have to get a smart meter.
    N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec / Fuse gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Kirk Hill Co-op member.
    2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 37 MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.
    Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Ecoflow Stream, Best kettle :-)
  • paul991
    paul991 Posts: 493
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Posts
    Forumite
    keep your  spinning disc as long as possible
  • olgadapolga
    olgadapolga Posts: 2,328
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Forumite
    QrizB said:
    Freepost said:
    Short question, are you forced to have a Smart Meter installed if you have a new Solar PV system installed?
    It depends.
    If you've already got a relatively modern electronic but non-smart meter, you can probably keep it.
    If you've got a "spinning disc" electromechanical meter, it will probably need replacing and the only replacement you'll get is a smart meter.
    If you want to be paid for export you'll have to get a smart meter.
    We've just had a solar panel installation with a "spinning disc" meter. A replacement wasn't mentioned. 
  • JKenH
    JKenH Posts: 5,548
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    edited 4 April 2022 at 9:58AM
    olgadapolga said:
    QrizB said:
    Freepost said:
    Short question, are you forced to have a Smart Meter installed if you have a new Solar PV system installed?
    It depends.
    If you've already got a relatively modern electronic but non-smart meter, you can probably keep it.
    If you've got a "spinning disc" electromechanical meter, it will probably need replacing and the only replacement you'll get is a smart meter.
    If you want to be paid for export you'll have to get a smart meter.
    We've just had a solar panel installation with a "spinning disc" meter. A replacement wasn't mentioned. 
    I think there are two types of spinning disc; one that can spin backwards and one that can’t. 
    Northern Lincolnshire. 7.8 kWp system, (4.2 kWwest facing panels , 3.6 kWeast facing), Solis inverters installed 2018, 5kW SSE facing system (shaded in afternoon) added in 2025 with Tesla PW3 battery, Mitsubishi SRK35ZS-S and SRK20ZS-S Wall Mounted A2A Heat Pumps, ex Nissan Leaf owner.
  • Freepost
    Freepost Posts: 227
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Thanks for all your replies.

    The house is new, still underconstruction I guess. Whereas I recognise that the supplier of the gas and elect, probably Octopus, would want to install smart meters and I would have a small battle to resist the said Smart meter which I understand that you can still do. Could I still resist if having Solar installed?

    Note; I don't think they would install a Smart meter for the gas supply since the meter box is in the ground!

    Thanks
    F.
  • paul991
    paul991 Posts: 493
    Fifth Anniversary 100 Posts
    Forumite
    your installer should inform your supplier and then  its  up to them . i would of thought a new house would have a smart meter fitted as normal  unless your meter is only a temporary fitted .a new  series 2 meter should not cause you any problems but if  your disc is spinning backwards its not your problems. i had 2 years of negative bills before they sorted mine out
  • QrizB
    QrizB Posts: 25,099
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Photogenic Name Dropper
    Forumite
    Freepost said:
    The house is new, still underconstruction I guess. Whereas I recognise that the supplier of the gas and elect, probably Octopus, would want to install smart meters and I would have a small battle to resist the said Smart meter which I understand that you can still do. Could I still resist if having Solar installed?
    A brand-new house will have smart meters fitted.
    N. Hampshire, he/him. Octopus Intelligent Go elec / Fuse gas / Vodafone BB / iD mobile. Kirk Hill Co-op member.
    2.72kWp PV facing SSW installed Jan 2012. 11 x 247w panels, 3.6kw inverter. 37 MWh generated, long-term average 2.6 Os.
    Economy 7 cap explainer. Gas vs E7 vs peak elec heating costs, Ecoflow Stream, Best kettle :-)
  • Freepost
    Freepost Posts: 227
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    Sorry guys' its my own build. I built the house next door (2018) for my sister and managed to resist the installation of smart meters, I was hopeful of resisting again (although I not sure why, perhaps I've got to that age where you just hate change).

    I also understand that it is not obligory for you to have a smart meter installed;

      A web search, just now
                Do new build houses have to have smart meters?
                No. Smart meters are not compulsory. However, you may find that some suppliers will only offer
                you a competitive tariff on condition that you have a smart meter fitted

    but, is there a reason not to have a Smart meter1
  • mickyduck55
    mickyduck55 Posts: 703
    Sixth Anniversary 500 Posts Name Dropper
    Forumite
    I cant think of one reason not to have a smart meter... 
    3.995kWP SSW facing. Commissioned 7 July 2011. 24 degree pitch (£3.36 /W).
    17 Yingli 235 panels
    Sunnyboy 4000TL inverter
    Sunny Webox
    Solar Immersion installed May 2013, after two Solar Immersion lasting just over the guarantee period replaced with Solic 200... no problems since.

    13 Feb 2020 LUX AC 3600 and 3 X Pylon Tech 3.5 kW batteries added...

    May 2021 2x LG AC units installed

    20 January 2024 Daikin ASHP installed
  • datlex
    datlex Posts: 2,252
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Forumite
    I already had smart meter before my solar panels were installed.  Be interesting to see how far they reduce usage.
    Paid off the last of my unsecured debts in 2016. Then saved up and bought a property. Current aim is to pay off my mortgage as early as possible. Currently over paying every month. Mortgage due to be paid off in 2036 hoping to get it paid off much earlier. Set up my own bespoke spreadsheet to manage my money.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 355.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 456.1K Spending & Discounts
  • 248.3K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 605.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 179K Life & Family
  • 263.7K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture