Solar Exporting

sfrazi

Does anyone know if its possible to switch exports tariffs first and then import tariffs a few weeks later so that both end up switching around the same time(as export switch takes around 4 weeks). I’m think about Eon Next Drive Import(6.7p at night) and export at 16.5p.

Officer_Dibble

EON only give the 16.5p export for their own customers don't they, so if you do switch export first it would be at a much lower rate to start with (3p/kWh). You really need to do it the other way round. Our export switch to EON Next only took a week longer than the import switch, despite their original warnings about how long it might take.

sfrazi

Thanks, good to know export switch was quicker than expectations. Do you reckon I’d have to do the export switch twice in my initial scenario above. First on the lower rate and then as a customer to 16.5p, and crucially would the second switch take just as long or much quicker as I’d already be a customer at that point?

Officer_Dibble

As I recall (it was all of 3 weeks ago!) they ask when you sign up for SEG whether you're a customer. So until you are, the answer would be no, and there'd be no customer account number to link it to. So yes, I think it would be a double switch, to 3p first then 16.5p, though the second one should just be a quick and easy internal admin one. Unless there's a very good reason to do it that way round, I think switching import first's the way to go. As soon as you've got a customer number you should be safe to ask for the 16.5p export switch, though I waited until the actual date they started supplying.

Check the weather forecast and time the switch for a dull period and you won't lose much!

Alnat1

It takes a while for export when you first set it up as the energy company usually have to request an import MPAN from the DNO, often the bit that causes delays.

If you want to change to another company, they should already be able to see the MPAN on the system, so if you can email them copies of your MCS certificate as soon as the switch takes place, it shouldn't take too long to get it all in place.

Officer_Dibble

EON Next's system for applying for SEG is pretty nifty - you upload PDFs etc of all the documentation as you fill in the form. It's just a shame that their method of paying it is so antiquated.