New Octopus tariff for solar and battery users - Octopus Flux

JKenH

Because of our E-W system we get very poor generation in winter and I wanted to be able to import (I was on Octopus Go Faster at the time) and store electricity at cheap rate for use later. I would also have lost FiT payments on self consumption with a DC coupled battery. I don’t know whether it would complicate matters but I have separate inverters for each roof - having to replace both those would be an expense. Would I need separate DC batteries for each roof/inverter. An AC coupled battery seemed a better solution and a DC one would be very much second best. 

As it turns out Flux largely negates the case for a battery for me.

Ron-ski

It does somewhat complicate things if you have a FITS system, although I have heard it's possible to use DC batteries on a FITS system, you can also upgrade the system to a larger one, but you'd need to clarify both with an MCS installer.

If adding larger panels, they pro-rata the payments, presumably if adding a DC battery the generation meter would measure power going both ways to the inverter, import and export, so they deduct import from export to get true generation.

scubajoe

You need to change the generation meter for a Bi-Directional one. Other than that it's quite straightforward. 

EricMears

Last couple of posts seem to make things unnecessarily complicated !

Original panels, inverter & TGM  need to remain exactly 'as is'.  Any new panels should be connected to a new inverter and (if you want but it's not compulsory) a new generation meter before joining the connection to supply point.  FIT claim procedure will then remain exactly as it ever was and if you were on deemed export you'll continue to get paid the 'export portion'  based on the original TGM readings.

But with extra panels it's perhaps more likely that you'll opt out of the deemed export scheme (but keeping the generation payment) and claim for actual exports based on the smart meter readings.

scubajoe

EricMears said:

Last couple of posts seem to make things unnecessarily complicated !

Original panels, inverter & TGM  need to remain exactly 'as is'.  Any new panels should be connected to a new inverter and (if you want but it's not compulsory) a new generation meter before joining the connection to supply point.  FIT claim procedure will then remain exactly as it ever was and if you were on deemed export you'll continue to get paid the 'export portion'  based on the original TGM readings.

But with extra panels it's perhaps more likely that you'll opt out of the deemed export scheme (but keeping the generation payment) and claim for actual exports based on the smart meter readings.

We were discussing the implications of fitting a  DC coupled battery. If it's capable of being charged from the grid and you are on the FiT scheme then Ofgem stipulates you must fit a Bi-Directional meter. 

EricMears

scubajoe said:

EricMears said:

Last couple of posts seem to make things unnecessarily complicated !

Original panels, inverter & TGM  need to remain exactly 'as is'.  Any new panels should be connected to a new inverter and (if you want but it's not compulsory) a new generation meter before joining the connection to supply point.  FIT claim procedure will then remain exactly as it ever was and if you were on deemed export you'll continue to get paid the 'export portion'  based on the original TGM readings.

But with extra panels it's perhaps more likely that you'll opt out of the deemed export scheme (but keeping the generation payment) and claim for actual exports based on the smart meter readings.

We were discussing the implications of fitting a  DC coupled battery. If it's capable of being charged from the grid and you are on the FiT scheme then Ofgem stipulates you must fit a Bi-Directional meter. 

OP clearly stated a preference for an AC coupled battery 

scubajoe

EricMears said:

scubajoe said:

EricMears said:

Last couple of posts seem to make things unnecessarily complicated !

Original panels, inverter & TGM  need to remain exactly 'as is'.  Any new panels should be connected to a new inverter and (if you want but it's not compulsory) a new generation meter before joining the connection to supply point.  FIT claim procedure will then remain exactly as it ever was and if you were on deemed export you'll continue to get paid the 'export portion'  based on the original TGM readings.

But with extra panels it's perhaps more likely that you'll opt out of the deemed export scheme (but keeping the generation payment) and claim for actual exports based on the smart meter readings.

We were discussing the implications of fitting a  DC coupled battery. If it's capable of being charged from the grid and you are on the FiT scheme then Ofgem stipulates you must fit a Bi-Directional meter. 

OP clearly stated a preference for an AC coupled battery 

The OP of this particular discussion did no such thing. What was stated was "I would have gone for a grid tied battery system".

Ron-ski

EricMears said:

scubajoe said:

EricMears said:

Last couple of posts seem to make things unnecessarily complicated !

Original panels, inverter & TGM  need to remain exactly 'as is'.  Any new panels should be connected to a new inverter and (if you want but it's not compulsory) a new generation meter before joining the connection to supply point.  FIT claim procedure will then remain exactly as it ever was and if you were on deemed export you'll continue to get paid the 'export portion'  based on the original TGM readings.

But with extra panels it's perhaps more likely that you'll opt out of the deemed export scheme (but keeping the generation payment) and claim for actual exports based on the smart meter readings.

We were discussing the implications of fitting a  DC coupled battery. If it's capable of being charged from the grid and you are on the FiT scheme then Ofgem stipulates you must fit a Bi-Directional meter. 

OP clearly stated a preference for an AC coupled battery 

OP stated an AC coupled system appeared to be a better solution as he didn't want to alter the existing FITS system, but the DNO wouldn't allow any additional export, and apparently would not allow a restricted export system, so only option would be to alter the existing FITS system which does now appear to be permitted as I and others have explained and have a bi-directional generation meter fitted, all done by an MCS certified installed of course.

But they also said "As it turns out Flux largely negates the case for a battery for me." so its all rather academic, but useful info for others.

pensionpawn

Just entered the Flux peak export period of 35.9p @ 3kWs export 🌞 No battery...

pensionpawn

pensionpawn said:

Just entered the Flux peak export period of 35.9p @ 3kWs export 🌞 No battery...

5.4 exported, 0.6 imported during peak whilst cooking tea. 24.1 (so far..) exported at standard rate. Flux export is the dogs danglies!