Solar Panels and analogue meters

Coppiceguy

Hi All

New to the forum and I have a query someone may be able to help me with. I have solar panels and an analogue meter with Octopus as my supplier. There is a known problem with this in that the meter can run backwards if more energy is being exported to the grid then is being consumed. Octopus have requested a digital meter be fitted but we have heard there are potential health and technical issues. We have heard that digital meters count the exported energy as being consumed and charge users for it and leave users having to chase for the exported energy and have their bills revised every billing cycle! Can I get a new analogue meter that deals with the backwards running issue or do I have to have the digital meter?

QrizB

You have to have a new meter.

All new meters have been digital for the past 20+ years.

Coppiceguy said:

Hi All
... we have heard there are potential health and technical issues.

There are no health issues with digital meters.

Coppiceguy said:

We have heard that digital meters count the exported energy as being consumed and charge users for it

That is false.

Coppiceguy said:

... and leave users having to chase for the exported energy and have their bills revised every billing cycle!

That is also false.

Coppiceguy said:

Can I get a new analogue meter that deals with the backwards running issue

No.

Coppiceguy said:

... or do I have to have the digital meter?

You have to have the digital meter.

powerful_Rogue

Coppiceguy said:

Hi All

New to the forum and I have a query someone may be able to help me with. I have solar panels and an analogue meter with Octopus as my supplier. There is a known problem with this in that the meter can run backwards if more energy is being exported to the grid then is being consumed. Octopus have requested a digital meter be fitted but we have heard there are potential health and technical issues. We have heard that digital meters count the exported energy as being consumed and charge users for it and leave users having to chase for the exported energy and have their bills revised every billing cycle! Can I get a new analogue meter that deals with the backwards running issue or do I have to have the digital meter?

Where did you hear such nonsense about potential health issues?

Keep_pedalling

You have no choice, and there are no heath issues associated with smart meters. Having a smart meter will allow you to get paid 15p per kWh you export from octopus.

Knowingly having a meter that runs backwards could land you in trouble for stealing electricity so just get it done. 

Alnat1

Octopus are great with solar export payments when you have a smart meter.

You'll get a monthly bill that shows both import and export, the debited and credited amounts will be calculated and the balance of your account shown.

Much simpler than other companies, no giving readings/taking pics every few months then waiting for your export credit.

Ectophile

Not all spinning disc meters will run backwards.  My old one had a mechanism that stopped it spinning backwards within one revolution.  It would then stop and make grinding noises all the time I was exporting.  Look for a little ratchet symbol on the face to see if it has that mechanism.

There was one brand of digital meter that did count up for both import and export.  So it had to be replaced when solar panels were installed.  It wasn't a smart meter.  All smart meters (even the old SMETS1 ones) have been able to distinguish between import and export.