Smart export payments for solar PV to replace deemed export

JKenH

I don’t know if the situation has changed since this article was published in 2018

Ofgem update clarifies deemed export tariff and storage confusion

The new technical guidance clarifies that feed-in tariff-accredited installs will retain their deemed export payments even if a smart meter and/or battery is installed, provided the usual deemed export eligibility requirements are met.

https://www.solarpowerportal.co.uk/news/ofgem_update_clarifies_deemed_export_tariff_and_storage_confusion

JKenH

Last year I self consumed 67% of my generation so deemed export worked for me - but partly because I made it so. In 2022 I had an electric car which I charged as much as possible from my own generation. I also used an iBoost diverter to heat my hot water. I ran my 2 ASHPs in preference to using the oil central heating.

I am this year in the process of switching to Octopus Flux which will pay in the region of 22p/kWh for most of my export and 35p between 4 and 7pm. I no longer have an EV and coincidentally my i-Boost has just failed (again!) so I am hoping it will work for me. 

In some ways life will be simpler as I won’t need to worry so much about maximising self consumption but on the other hand I will be more aware of the opportunity cost of using energy that I could be exporting. My plan (which may change) is to now act as if I don’t have solar panels. I used to find it very frustrating when I was away on holiday and exporting 20+kWh/day to the grid so I am hoping, on balance, metered export will be a good thing for me.

Keep_pedalling

I have had a quick read of that guidance document in the opening post but I can’t see anything to support GE statement that it compels them to do this.

Reed_Richards

EricMears said:

... if it does ever happen I'd probably switch my SEG payments to highest available payer rather than accepting the default rate.

Which is surely why this is not a good thing for any electricity company other than Octopus?  

EricMears

Possibly 'Good Energy' are trying to get rid of their FIT accounts ?

I think it's well known that they're about the slowest payer there is and no doubt they regard the scheme as more trouble than it's worth.

sevenhills

Keep_pedalling said:

I have had a quick read of that guidance document in the opening post but I can’t see anything to support GE statement that it compels them to do this.

This is a quote from Good Energys email

"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."

70sbudgie

A few things have gone through my mind reading this:
"Eligible customers": this might not be as many as anticipated or at least there may be some issues. I understand that the requirements for MSC and DNO approval were a lot more relaxed in the early days of FITs. This may prove to be challenging to force moves to smart exports. Unless the suppliers are forced to be more accepting of properties without the above paperwork. (Especially where a house has been sold).
My other thought is that with SMETS2 metering, there will be much better access to domestic generation / export figures. Domestic PV was included in the 2022 Energy Brief for the first time, which suggests to me that this is the direction the government is looking to move in.

Edit to add: I just thought that we might be getting close to the end of the 25 year FITS contracts for the earliest installs. I'm not sure when they started, but didn't they end nearly 10 years ago?

EricMears

70sbudgie said:

Edit to add: I just thought that we might be getting close to the end of the 25 year FITS contracts for the earliest installs. I'm not sure when they started, but didn't they end nearly 10 years ago?

Mine started in 2011 but I believe the FIT scheme was launched in 2010 in which case first 25 year contract will end in 2035

Exiled_Tyke

We've had this discussion before:Change to export payments after smart meter install?Money Saving Experthttps://forums.moneysavingexpert.com › discussion

In addition this sets out the government's desire to move from deemed to metered export as well as why it isn't straightforward for the utility companies to implement.   As this is from 2019 I think it supersedes the opening article.    

Perhaps from this the lesson is, if you want to remain on deemed export (for as long as possible) then make sure your export and import accounts are with different companies. 

sevenhills

Exiled_Tyke said:

We've had this discussion before:Change to export payments after smart meter install?Money Saving Experthttps://forums.moneysavingexpert.com › discussion

In addition this sets out the government's desire to move from deemed to metered export as well as why it isn't straightforward for the utility companies to implement.   As this is from 2019 I think it supersedes the opening article.    

Perhaps from this the lesson is, if you want to remain on deemed export (for as long as possible) then make sure your export and import accounts are with different companies. 

I am with different companies. But I was reading that there are only eleven companies that can read my smart meter.
Surely there are more than eleven domestic energy companies?
Unwise to move from Scottish power at the moment, as still fixed.