Smart export payments for solar PV to replace deemed export

JKenH

I have received an email from Good Energy advising that I will in due course be automatically moved over to smart export. It looks like everyone receiving deemed export under the FiT scheme will be affected.

Among the FAQs

Can I opt out of the smart export payments and remain on deemed? 

No. Ofgem requires that Feed-in Tariff customers must be paid for the actual amount of power exported to the grid as soon as possible. This is stipulated in their Guidance for Licensed Electricity Suppliers.  

You will move onto smart export payments as soon as they’re rolled out to all customers that fit the criteria.  So, once you start receiving smart export payments you won’t be able to go back onto deemed payments. 

https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/smart-export-payments/

I believe the payments will be made at the existing rate used for exports under the FiT scheme.

I was in the process of moving over to metered export with Octopus Flux anyway but the option to go back to deemed export has now disappeared. 

One wonders, though, if this change can be made, can the FiT payments be amended at some point in the future if they are deemed to be too generous?

Reed_Richards

This is the first instance of a forced exit from the FiT scheme that I have heard of.  The fact that it was a possibility made me reluctant to get a Smart Meter but people on this forum were of the opinion that a forced change from deemed to metered export would not happen.  It seems they were wrong.

EricMears

Reed_Richards said:

This is the first instance of a forced exit from the FiT scheme that I have heard of.  The fact that it was a possibility made me reluctant to get a Smart Meter but people on this forum were of the opinion that a forced change from deemed to metered export would not happen.  It seems they were wrong.

And of course not everyone has a meter that can measure exports.  Those who've resisted a smart meter and been assured that they can continue to do so would need to have an additional export meter fitted and even those with a meter that can measure exports but doesn't yet have an export MPAN wouldn't be able to comply immediately.

Merlin139

I'm with Good Energy for FIT. No e-mail from them but I don't have a smart meter which is probably why as I don't fit the criteria.

Never asked and never been offered. 

mickyduck55

Im in the process of switching to metered export, Octopus were quite clear that once I opted out of deemed I could not go back

Reed_Richards

Switching from deemed to metered export may be a one-way-only process but the issue is whether or not you can be compelled to switch.  Maybe @JKenH was switching to metered export first and then was planning to move to Octopus, so the switch is not as "automatic" as their account of the email suggests.

JKenH

I am currently on Octopus Flux import tariff waiting to be switched to metered export. I advised Good Energy as requested by Octopus. Whether or not this is what prompted the email I don’t know but Good Energy would not otherwise have been aware that I had a smart meter. 

This is the substance of their email.

Hello ——

Good Energy is introducing smart FIT export payments. These work by using smart meter readings to record exactly how much electricity you export to the grid. This means you’ll get paid for the actual amount of electricity you export, rather than an estimate.

You will be moved over to smart export in the next 6 months. We'll contact you closer to the time to let you know when we're moving you over but there's nothing you need to do to switch over. If you have any questions, please email smartexport@goodenergy.co.uk.

sevenhills

Merlin139 said:

I'm with Good Energy for FIT. No e-mail from them but I don't have a smart meter which is probably why as I don't fit the criteria.

Never asked and never been offered. 

I am with Good Energy, I have had a smart meter for some years, I got the email today.
I started a thread on the energy board. I have never seen the FIT readings on my smart meter.
Every two years, when they read the meter, they go into the loft, they don't look at the display in the kitchen.

Reed_Richards

So is Good energy pioneering enforced moves from deemed to metered export?  It seems perverse because it removes any incentive/inertia not to move to Octopus for your supply and better export rates.

sevenhills

Some of the issues(with first generation smart metes) were connected to households that have smart meters and solar panels fitted together. If you’re considering solar panels for your home, this is a good time because on the bright side, with the introduction of the second generation smart meters (SMETS 2) most of the smart meter flaws were resolved.
I believe my smart meter is first generation, 2017

EricMears

Has anyone heard about this from a FIT provider other than 'Good Energy'  ?

AFAIK,  moving from deemed to measured exports "in due course" has only been an 'aspiration' rather than a firm project.  

Since over the year I tend to export more than the deemed 50% I can't say that I'm very worried about the remote chance of being forced to accept an increase in payments although if it does ever happen I'd probably switch my SEG payments to highest available payer rather than accepting the default rate.