Solar use vs export

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: New Price Cap 1 April 2026 Octopus Fixed.

Telegraph_Sam

What I report monthly is

1. Total Annual Import
2. Total Annual Export and
3. FIT total

So my total consumption is 1. + 2.?

QrizB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81959676#Comment_81959676

No.

• Total annual import = (import register reading today) - (import register reading 12 months ago)
• Total annual export = (export register reading today) - (export register reading 12 months ago)
• Total annual generation = (generation meter reading today) - (generation meter reading 12 months ago)
• Your total annual consumption = (total annual import) + (total annual generation) - (total annual export)

Give us the numbers and we can work it out for you, if that helps.

Qyburn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81959676#Comment_81959676

FIT total sounds like it's from your generation meter, ie measuring what you've generated whether it's going to be exported or used.

So your total household use can be calculated as (3) - (2) + (1)

Telegraph_Sam

@ QrizB. "

• Total annual import = (import register reading today) - (import register reading 12 months ago)
• Total annual export = (export register reading today) - (export register reading 12 months ago)
• Total annual generation = (generation meter reading today) - (generation meter reading 12 months ago)
• Your total annual consumption = (total annual import) + (total annual generation) - (total annual export)"

I confess to not being totally clear over the distinction between items 2 and 3. FIT used to be referred to as "deemed".

QrizB

I confess to not being totally clear over the distinction between items 2 and 3.

Your export register is one of the readings on your smart meter.

Your generation meter is the separate one you read for your FIT.

FIT used to be referred to as "deemed".

Your FIT might be based on deemed export but that's irrelevant for this calculation.

Telegraph_Sam

I expect to be booted off this particular forum for straying off topic ..

My "Import" is what I take out of the grid. My (solar) "generation" is what I put into the grid from my panels. > > mental block over how to interpret [total annual] "Export"]. I can't imagine that this figure represents the surplus of my generation over my import. I'm waiting for my light bulb moment.

MWT

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81964743#Comment_81964743

Your generation is what comes out of your solar and into your home, then excess on to the grid, it does not go direct from your panels to the grid…

Export is what actually leaves your meter and goes to the grid… this is what is left of your generation after some has been used by your home.

Telegraph_Sam

That implies that I generate more from my solars more than I consume??

Telegraph_Sam

I confess to inadvertently confusing two threads. The measurement of Total Annual Export is one. The fact that Octopus (not MSE) are blocking me from signing in is the other. I had hoped to keep these posts apart but obviously in vain. Sorry

MSE_Stephen

@Telegraph_Sam We've split this thread for you