Solar PV and Smart meters

[RickH]

I have a PV array that works well, I get the FIT payments on all I generate. Plus I can use any of that for free.

Octopus have advised my standard electricity usage meter is out of date, and I need to have a SMART meter installed.

Would installing this impact my free PV ... or is that safe as downstream of meter.

 

[EFLImpudence]

You don't need or have to have a smart meter if you don't want one
.

 

[RickH]

I kept saying no for years .. but they have now advised my existing meter is now out of service date, and needs to be replaced. They no longer have old meters so I have to have a Smart meter.

 

[EFLImpudence]

You'd think there would be millions of old meters around.

 

[RickH]

You'd think there would be millions of old meters around.

I can accept they have no new stock, bound to happen at some point, and procedures would not allow for reusing 'used' meters, plus probably fits drive for rollout of smart meters.

 

[ericmark]

I have not a clue how the FIT payment will continue with a smart meter. The whole idea was they were unable to measure export, so they assume what you produce. With the smart meter, you normally have two MPAN numbers, one for import and one for export, and are paid for what you actually export.

My yield from solar today to 16:45 is 9.9 kWh my export is 1.7 kWh and my panels are 6 kW, when the FIT payment was started seem to remember 3.5 kW was the limit, so with the old system I would have no export today, so being paid for ½ the panels output you will be quids in.

So I would not be happy if I faced loosing my FIT payment. But only they can really tell you what happens to your FIT payment.

 

[RickH]

I did some Googling ..... the common thread seems to be that FIT is unaffected ... Generation payment.
However it states that export payments will be based on actuals not a % deemed rate.
This is still unclear as I have only a Generation meter ... I get paid for what I generate, not what I export.
Tried asking Octopus (as it's their meter) but not getting very far. The generated numbers go to EDF and they pay me for FIT.

Maybe someone here will understand better than I do.

 

[aveatry]

My supplier have tried many different tactics to get me to have a smart meter, ranging from bribes to warning that my heating wont work (i dont have time switch storage heaters) to your meter "needs" replacing to "we have arranged an engineer to come on x date - please confirm ---phone calls and letters, its all BS.

 

[JohnW2]

I kept saying no for years .. but they have now advised my existing meter is now out of service date, and needs to be replaced. They no longer have old meters so I have to have a Smart meter.

As you've subsequently agreed, the day will certainly come (if it has not already come) when no new non-'Smart' meters are available and, given that meters have to be changed after they reach a certain age, one will then presumably have no choice but to accept a 'Smart' meter if one wants an ongoing electricity supply.

As I often say, I'm pretty certain that my agreement/contract with my supplier (which I can never find!), which I am deemed to have signed (by using their electricity), includes my agreement that they can install whatever metering or other equipment that they deem necessary in relation to their electricity supply.

As a matter of interest, why have you "kept saying no for years"?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Murdochcat]

I think the key question is do you have records of the PV generation and fit payments?

I’m thinking you need to be able to look at bills going forward and be able to see if the new SM is giving similar results , payments etc

 

[JohnW2]

My supplier have tried many different tactics to get me to have a smart meter, ranging from bribes to warning that my heating wont work (i dont have time switch storage heaters) to your meter "needs" replacing to "we have arranged an engineer to come on x date - please confirm ---phone calls and letters, its all BS.

A common story/experience. However, I recently heard a contrary story, which seems a little difficult to understand ..

... for whatever reason, a 'friend of a friend' actually wanted a 'Smart' meter, so he spoke to his supplier to arrange it. They told him that they were currently extremely busy and that it was not worth even putting him on a 'waiting list' at present, and so suggested that he called back "in a few months" to be put onto a waiting list!!

 

[flameport]

Would installing this impact my free PV

No, it will make no difference at all.

The generated numbers go to EDF and they pay me for FIT.

Which will continue unless you decide to change that arrangement.

 

[aveatry]

A common story/experience. However, I recently heard a contrary story, which seems a little difficult to understand ..

... for whatever reason, a 'friend of a friend' actually wanted a 'Smart' meter, so he spoke to his supplier to arrange it. They told him that they were currently extremely busy and that it was not worth even putting him on a 'waiting list' at present, and so suggested that he called back "in a few months" to be put onto a waiting list!!

That might explain why they have left me alone for the last few months. I fully expect the next move to be a £100 "surcharge" for those with old meters

 

[JohnW2]

That might explain why they have left me alone for the last few months. I fully expect the next move to be a £100 "surcharge" for those with old meters

Who knows? - but, ultimately, it could be 'no electricity' for those who refuse to have a 'Smart' meter installed.

 

[morqthana]

I fully expect the next move to be a £100 "surcharge" for those with old meters

I'd be surprised if they could do that.