Meter MPAN import and MPAN export numbers, how and when assigned?

[ericmark]

I thought the MPAN number was assigned to a home, but since we do not need to use the same company for import and export, then it makes sense to different import and export numbers.

My solar panels fitted September 2023 had an export meter fitted, so one meter for import and one for export, but then told rules changed, and to be paid for export, needed a smart meter, which can measure both import and export.

For installations commissioned after 01/04/2023, such as yours, SPEN do not allow us to request MPAN’s on your behalf.

SPEN = Scottish Power Energy Networks, so it seems rules changed some three months before solar was fitted, has anyone else had problems being paid for export?

At least Octopus tell us why, British Gas simply said yes no problem, but then didn't pay.

 

[JohnW2]

I thought the MPAN number was assigned to a home, but since we do not need to use the same company for import and export, then it makes sense to different import and export numbers.

Does it (make sense)? If one has a single modern 'smart' meter (with a single MPAN), which records import and export figures, cannot two different suppliers both access that meter to obtain the data they need.

Mind you, it is strange enough that we have a choice as to who we pay (or are paid by) for the same electricity, but to be able to have different 'suppliers' for import and export seems an even further movement towards 'the bizarre'

 

[ericmark]

The export only tariff if only export, is not very good, Octopus 4.1p per kWh, but if you also buy from octopus, 5.12p per kWh 2 am to 5 am, 10.54p per kWh 5 am to 4 pm and 7 pm to 2 am, and 30.68p per kWh 4pm to 7pm or all day fixed 15p per kWh. And it is hard for a non EV or night storage heater used to decide on the best tariff. Some need you to give Octopus control of when your battery charges and discharges.

I made a mistake, I had not recalculated when I got a second battery. In real terms, most of what I pay is the standing charge. Ideal would be import and export same tariff, and you use the grid as a battery. But that's not going to happen, so looking at the difference. So export at 15p and import at 25.37p then anything exported rather than being used or imported when moving use to different time would avoid it, costs 10.37p per kWh, which in the grand scheme of things, is not much.

But today already exported 18.6 kWh or £2.80. I don't want to give it away.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

At least Octopus tell us why

You've missed out of your post the "why", though!

I had a smart meter fitted last year, then moved to Octopus, and they managed to give me an export MPAN [DNO is ENWL]. Although the panels were installed in 2022.

More detail about MPANs than you could ever want, here:

Meter Point Administration Number - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[ericmark]

Thank you very much, that does explain why, I tried for over a year to get export payment from British Gas, the reasons given for delay were incomprehensible, they said used the wrong format, but it was their form we filled in.

The £75 fee to leave before end of contract, was likely more than we would gain moving before it ended, so we waited until it ended, they did try to get us back, and the question was will you pay us for export, and the answer was come back, and we will look at it, they had been looking at it for a year already, so no, thanks.

The solar panel installers said they could set us up with Octopus, which they did, but still no export tariff, they wanted certificates, and we had a few attempts, but in the end, seems what we had was accepted. Then the request to get the MPAN, seems a reasonable enough request, but we feel we have now waited long enough, 7th of September 2023 the solar panels went online, we have exported 3721 kWh with no payment. Even at 4.1p per kWh, that's over £150 that we did not get.

Complaining will not help me, but it may help others.