Electric energy suppliers, solar energy.

ricardopelc

Just had the solar panels with a 3.6kw inverter installed last november
we are now generating around 20kw per day and using about 7kw on 
household appliances, so we have an excess of 13kw, as considering
we do not have a battery to store the excess presumably this returns to the
grid as we are hooked up to it, the problem however is like most people living
in rural Wales the energy companies will not install a meter as there is no signal
for them to install their meter, so it seems they are robbing us of this energy!
Alternatively could I have a analogue meter installed by a electrician so at least 
when generating solar the meter will go backwards thus reducing my overall energy
consumption. The energy companies need to get their act together and install
these meters in rural areas so people can rely less on the grid for their energy.

MattMattMattUK

ricardopelc said:

Just had the solar panels with a 3.6kw inverter installed last november
we are now generating around 20kw per day and using about 7kw on 
household appliances, so we have an excess of 13kw, as considering
we do not have a battery to store the excess presumably this returns to the
grid as we are hooked up to it, the problem however is like most people living
in rural Wales the energy companies will not install a meter as there is no signal
for them to install their meter, so it seems they are robbing us of this energy!
Alternatively could I have a analogue meter installed by a electrician so at least 
when generating solar the meter will go backwards thus reducing my overall energy
consumption. The energy companies need to get their act together and install
these meters in rural areas so people can rely less on the grid for their energy.

How do you heat your home and water, gas, another fuel? Could you use a a diverter to heat your water using a the spare electricity? No you cannot have a different meter installed by an electrician. Even without a smart connection they should be able to install an export meter. 

The issue is not down to the energy suppliers, but the government for designing and managing the metering system, the energy suppliers are really just glorified installers for the smart meter rollout, they have to buy from government approved suppliers, they can only install approved meters, they have no control over network that the smart meter connects to. 

Netexporter

I live in rural Wales and have a working smart meter. Has an attempt been made to fit a smart meter, or are you just assuming one won't work?

sheenas

Definitely an analogue meter going backward is going to get you locked up, LOL The best solution is to export energy back to the grid and yes you would need a smart meter for that. Working out you evening usage and getting a battery maybe the way forward, allowing extra if you plan on using your immersion heater (if you have one) to heat hot water. 

paul991

Think all the early adopters had analogue meters going backwards , mine for 2 years Happy days . It  goes to show a 3.6 kw system can easily produce enough for a average household needs over the year .I even got a credit when they changed my meter as I argued their meter could not be wrong .Can you not have a digital non smart export meter similar to the old FIT meters .?

Robin9

I don't think you need a Smart to be able to export.

Although my meter is Smart  it has an Export Register which the supplier (Edf)  does not / can't / chooses not to) read remotely.  I have to give manual readings.

Netexporter

I doubt you get such good export rates on manual readings, though.

Robin9

Netexporter said:

I doubt you get such good export rates on manual readings, though.

15p - published Edf rate

Netexporter

I slouch corrected.

ricardopelc

MattMattMattUK said:

ricardopelc said:

Just had the solar panels with a 3.6kw inverter installed last november
we are now generating around 20kw per day and using about 7kw on 
household appliances, so we have an excess of 13kw, as considering
we do not have a battery to store the excess presumably this returns to the
grid as we are hooked up to it, the problem however is like most people living
in rural Wales the energy companies will not install a meter as there is no signal
for them to install their meter, so it seems they are robbing us of this energy!
Alternatively could I have a analogue meter installed by a electrician so at least 
when generating solar the meter will go backwards thus reducing my overall energy
consumption. The energy companies need to get their act together and install
these meters in rural areas so people can rely less on the grid for their energy.

How do you heat your home and water, gas, another fuel? Could you use a a diverter to heat your water using a the spare electricity? No you cannot have a different meter installed by an electrician. Even without a smart connection they should be able to install an export meter. 

The issue is not down to the energy suppliers, but the government for designing and managing the metering system, the energy suppliers are really just glorified installers for the smart meter rollout, they have to buy from government approved suppliers, they can only install approved meters, they have no control over network that the smart meter connects to. 

All our heating and hot water is now done via ASHP as we have done away with the grant oil boiler.
We do have a Rayburn installed but just use it for emergencies mainly in the winter.

ricardopelc

Netexporter said:

I live in rural Wales and have a working smart meter. Has an attempt been made to fit a smart meter, or are you just assuming one won't work?

Ovo who are our energy supplier asked us for our postcode! apparently they said because the wifi signal was poor in our area they would not be able to install one, really!