Solar power meter

Zman2

Hi, hope someone can help. I have an early solar system installed in 2011 where I get paid for kWh generated and a “Deemed” export to the grid.

I have recently had a hybrid inverter and a battery added to the system. I charge the battery from the panels and from the grid at low cost times.

The installers don’t seem to have a clue about metering requirements, initially the original meter was left in situ and when I charged from mains this wasn’t seen, however if I used the power it was clocked as Solar.

My FIT agents, EDF were suspicious & when I looked into it, the problem was obvious.

A “Bi Directional “ meter was installed but this didn’t give direct readings of the net export i.e. solar power with the battery charging/discharging cancelled out, you had to take readings and subtract one from another and this was not acceptable.

EDF say that for FIT they need a meter that I can photograph with serial number and net reading showing.

My battery/inverter people don’t understand the problem & EDF can’t/won’t say what meter they will accept.

Can anyone tell me of a make/model of meter that they are using in this sort of system?

I now have an idea what the ball in a pinball machine feels like!!

Zman2

QrizB

Have you confirmed that EDF are content with the modifications you've made to your system? Per the terms of the FIT, if they aren't they can chuck you off the scheme.

Zman2 said:

The installers don’t seem to have a clue about metering requirements

That's worrying. They should have sorted all this out for you. In your situation it might have been less trouble (although a bit less efficient) to fit a standalone AC-coupled battery rather than a hybrid system.

Zman2 said:

EDF say that for FIT they need a meter that I can photograph with serial number and net reading showing.

My battery/inverter people don’t understand the problem & EDF can’t/won’t say what meter they will accept.

Can anyone tell me of a make/model of meter that they are using in this sort of system?

I can't answer your question (I have an AC-coupled battery to avoid all this trouble) but since your installer seems to be out of their depth have you tried asking a different solar PV company?
Or even ask a longstanding solar PV supplier? I've used these people before and they offer several generation meters; they might have one to suit your application?

https://www.bimblesolar.com/emlite-accessories

PS more solar power geeks hang out on the "Green and Ethical" sub-forum. You might want to ask over there:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/green-ethical-moneysaving

sheenas

EDF are looking for a bidirectional meter that provides the net reading I.e net = exp- imp. If the solar company does not understand this then they are not really a solar company. I would look elsewhere if a company that understands the basics. 

Qyburn

A example of a suitable meter is Emlite ECA2.nz or ECA2.nv. These meter Import, Export and Net, with the display cycling between the three.  Here it's displaying Net.



 

QrizB

Emlite datasheet here confirms @Qyburn 's info (see the first paragraph on page 2):

https://midsummer.ie/pdfs/eca2-meter-user-info-general-information-for-pv-and-battery-storage.pdf

Available here for about £45:

https://www.tradesparky.com/solarsparky/accessories/miscellaneous/emlite-eca2nz-bi-directional-single-phase-mid-meter