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Rank 2
mattwillhill
Rank 2
March 23, 2022
Solved

Are my solar PV panels connected to my smart meter and measuring my exports correctly?

  • March 23, 2022
  • 44 replies
  • 13169 views

We recently in Dec 2021 had a large PV solar install completed on our house.  A new 24 panel [385W each] Solar array at 8kW by a seemingly professional company. Disappointingly the install has issues, the main one being that the house utilty meter has the same consumption rate as before the solar install started!  This suggests there is wiring config. or equipment fault issue somewhere or the meter cannot cope with Solar supply since we are having large Solar Yields!

        Either way we are none the closer to getting either the solar installer coming back to fix it in a hurry [I don’t think they understand it!] or the Utility company to check  the meter!   All this in rapidly rising energy prices ….. pause to weep …… seriously this is cry for help please, we have spent a fortune for nothing! 

       One thing that stands out to me, being a lighting engineer [as a I have some electrical knowledge - although a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing!] is that the Solar Installer has wired the Solar Arrays Inverted 240V output not direct to our Consumer Board but has put it through our Utility Meter with the grid supply [on a single split combined cable]. When I asked the solar installers engineer how the Utility Meter can tell the difference between electricity we are consuming direct from the grid or through the Solar he just shrugged his shoulders and exclaimed that it just can! Personally rightly or wrongly i am unconvinced!

I attach an image of our electrical utilty meter [ a SMET 1 – Elster AS300P] cupboard with the solar installers wiring config  displayed. Please the question to those in the know is should the Solar always be through the consumer unit first [as in schematic A] or through the utilty meter [as in schematic B] shown , or does it depend on  other factors?

Any help or direction most welcome.

    Best answer by PeterR1947

    @mattwillhill  There is no way that meter will measure export as the PV is not connected through it.  If the PV was connected as every other one I have seen, i.e. though the consumer unit, your Elster meter would be able to measure the export.

     

    All meters are clever enough to sense which direction current is flowing through them.  With non-smart meters, if the very old variety the spinning wheel would go backwards, the electronic ones would display “RED” (Reverse Electricity Generated).

     

    A Smart meter is smart!  if you are exporting to the grid, this is sensed and measured as export which you now know how to read and when you are not exporting the meter measures the consumption.  When you are generating but less than the house is using, the meter will simply show the reduced rate so your monthly PV generation will reduce the consumption you are seeing at present.  On thinking further about what I said earlier, I don’t think a PV installer is allowed to connect directly to an incoming supply, only your DNO is allowed to make these connections, perhaps @Transparent  can confirm that

    44 replies

    Show previous replies
    N
    Newcomer
    NottinghamSolar
    Newcomer
    November 16, 2022

    Gosh, it’s been a while but it looks like this is going to be sorted very soon.

    We had it looked at by someone from the council and he said it is wired incorrectly !

    Much nonsense has happened over the last few months and I will update the forum with the events later as it’s been an interesting journey.

    Again thanks for all the Help/comments.

      N
      Newcomer
      NGJ
      Newcomer
      June 19, 2024

      Hi.  I have been looking into my parents Solar Setup, and concerned if it is set up correctly and actually supplying the house the energy it generates.  Also worried if they have been scammed / miss sold battery storage.

      From the paperwork I can find:

      Initial install was 2012. FIT is via OVO energy.  Energy supplied by EDF.   They had a EDF Smart meter Fitted Aug 23.  One Battery was installed a few years ago,  and also 2 more last year.  That makes 3 x Pylontech USC2000 batteries in total.

      Their Electric bills from EDF for June 23 - June 24, totalled over 11000 kwh.  That seems very high. They are on E7 rate.

      Also when I checked usage on EDF Hub for one week start of june.  Smart meter said we used 73 kwh from EDF, yet when I logged onto the Solar Panel system, it had generated over 140 kwh the same period. 

      Does this seem right? Im thinking I need to get someone to give it a check and make sure it is correct.  Would an independent Solar Panel installer be the best, what creditation should i look for.  Any advice appreciated.

      Thanks

      Blastoise186
      Super User
      Blastoise186Super User
      Super User
      June 20, 2024

      Howdy @NGJ !

      Just reading so far, it looks like we need some more info from you.

      Please could you show us photos of the current setup if possible? This will help us figure this one out for you.

      I will let the others know you stopped by - we have a few people here who might be able to give their thoughts.

      Thanks!

      Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
        N
        Newcomer
        NGJ
        Newcomer
        June 20, 2024

        Hi. Yes I can take a picture.  Should be back at their house tomorrow. Thanks

          BPLightlog
          Super User
          BPLightlogSuper User
          Super User
          June 20, 2024

          Hi @NGJ , if you have any historical information regarding usage and any significant changes that would help too.

          It’s not an unusual figure but it can depend on how the system is set up (whether it charges the battery overnight etc). A name and model of the inverter would also help

          Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
            N
            Newcomer
            NGJ
            Newcomer
            June 24, 2024

            Hi. I have retrieved the past bills now, so will analyse yearly usage and any pattern of change since system was initially installed and also after batteries were installed last year .

            I'll provide details of this,  and rest of required info shortly.

            Thanks 

              BPLightlog
              Super User
              BPLightlogSuper User
              Super User
              June 24, 2024

              Hi. I have retrieved the past bills now, so will analyse yearly usage and any pattern of change since system was initially installed and also after batteries were installed last year .

              I'll provide details of this,  and rest of required info shortly.

              Thanks 

              Very good - Will look out for an update. Just another thing to remember is that the solar app generally isn’t too accurate so that might be something to consider.
              As for accreditation, MCS is usually the way to go but it’s difficult to advise without knowing the full details. Which system do you use to look at the figures by the way?

              Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
                Chris_OVO
                Community Manager
                Chris_OVO
                Community Manager
                June 24, 2024

                Hey @NGJ & welcome to the community! 

                 

                It looks like @Blastoise186 and @BPLightlog, some of our volunteers, have already stopped by to offer their invaluable expertise and a warm hello!
                 
                We’ll keep an eye on the thread for updates from you, and the more information you can supply, the bigger the picture of how we can help! The only thing I would highlight is that we can’t have anything personal, such as account numbers, visible, etc. Other than that, you’re welcome to give everyone a rundown on your setup so we can start giving you the best advice! 

                Renewable energy jokes never get old.
                D
                Rank 2
                dms66
                Rank 2
                February 4, 2025

                I have a standalone (non feed in tariff) set up at home - PV panels to my home grid feeding an EV and separate 5kw battery storage.

                 

                Since having my smart meter fitted it appears that my smart meter is registering the solar PV production as use from the grid, which is increasing my bill by the production amount … What's going on or what is not set up correctly ?

                Blastoise186
                Super User
                Blastoise186Super User
                Super User
                February 4, 2025

                Hi ​@dms66 ,

                Sounds like something downstream from the Meter isn’t wired up properly. You might want to get the installer to check

                Securing energy by zapping security bugs... For that is The Blastoise Way! Remember, I'm just like you - AI Powered Evil Geniuses aren't Staff!
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                  OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

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