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Sand1R0se
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October 30, 2023
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Do shareholders now own the sunshine? My usage had actually gone up after Solar Panels?

  • October 30, 2023
  • 64 replies
  • 811 views

Since the installation of solar panels my electricity usage has gone up 12 fold. During that time, if all is working correctly, I have also used the 700 KWs generated by my solar panels which means my actual usage has gone up far more than 12 fold. Is it possible that the energy generated by my solar panels is adding to my meter readings, in othervwords benefitting the electric company rather than me? Might they have been wired incorrectly? 

    Best answer by LordHarry

    This was posted in another thread a while back:

    Honeywell Elster AS300P (SMETS1)
    To get an export reading from this smart meter:

    1. Press and hold the grey middle button until the main menu loads up
    2. ‘General’ should appear on-screen – press and hold the middle button again to select this option
    3. ‘Time & Date’ should be visible – now scroll with the bottom button until you see ‘TOU Registers’
    4. Press and hold the middle button once more will hovering over ‘TOU Registers’ and you should now see ‘Cum. Exp.’ with a value underneath it.

    If it reads zero then your export is definitely being ‘seen’ as consumption.

    This is not a matter for the solar installer though as it is Scottish Power’s meter that is not doing what it needs to do. The cause may be that, as I understand it, the smart meter has to be correctly set up to measure export as well as consumption – as the solar panels were installed after the smart meter then this may not be the case with yours.

    If you export value is zero then tell Scottish Power that they need to pull their finger out and reset your meter.

     

    64 replies

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    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    Emmanuelle_OVO
    Retired Moderator
    November 2, 2023

    Hey @Sand1R0se @Blastoise186 

     

    The meter photos have been approved and are now on the thread.

     

    Hope this helps!

    Renewable Energy? Big Fan.
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    November 2, 2023

    Thanks!

    Let me call @BPLightlog @Jeffus and @Firedog back in. They’re a bit more experienced than me at this one.

    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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    Sand1R0seAuthor
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    November 2, 2023

    Does this mean you now have what I got when i accessed TOU registers on my Scottish Power meter? Thanks again. 

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    November 2, 2023

    Thanks!

    Let me call @BPLightlog @Jeffus and @Firedog back in. They’re a bit more experienced than me at this one.

    I don’t see any additional photos but from what is reported - no cum export - it sounds as if the meter isn’t set up to record this. I would expect at least some export from any system. 
    Just one other thought .. on one of the photos with the CT clamp (white clip on) 

    There should be an arrow moulded on the side which needs to point away from the meter .. don’t know if you can see that?

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      S
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      Sand1R0seAuthor
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      November 2, 2023

      Have found arrow. It is pointing away from the meter.

      Didn't sent phot before but her it is.

       

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      November 2, 2023

      Ok, the arrow and CT seem correct. 
      Can you tell me where this cable (highlighted in yellow) goes

      It looks an odd connection seeming to connect directly to the main fuse and the con block. The earth is also exposed as bare wire

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      S
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      Sand1R0seAuthor
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      November 2, 2023

      Photo… It goes into the thick cable bottom left and through the front door. Will send 2nd photo outside.

       

      S
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      Sand1R0seAuthor
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      November 2, 2023

      Photo of thick cable going through door

       

      S
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      Sand1R0seAuthor
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      November 2, 2023

      I think the fat cable coming through the door is Power going to the shed in the garden…

      Photo outside. Very messy. 

       

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      November 2, 2023

      Ok - wherever that goes to, it’s not safe. It doesn’t have any fusing apart from the main house fuse. The orange cable on that last picture is also unsafe. 
      If it’s nothing to do with the solar, it’s a separate problem. 
      I can’t quite see where the solar connection is made into the system. The diagram below the wiring is correct but I’m not sure if it’s wired that way. 

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
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