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J
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Janetf
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February 5, 2024
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How do I find how much power we actually use from solar panels?

  • February 5, 2024
  • 15 replies
  • 4758 views

I have solar panels but no battery. I submit regular generation readings for FIT but I have no idea how much of my generated power I actually use.

i understand that the smart meter readings on electricity bill are from the actual meter so do not include generated power, but the smart meter shows power actually used.

How can I find the figures for actual use (monthly or annual) so I can calculate this? I can only see figures at the instant I’m looking at the meter so it isn’t helpful at present

Best answer by BPLightlog

Updated on 16/05/25 by Ben_OVO

We are getting some new panels with the battery and having the old system also connected in to it. The installers know this is partly about power cuts so will be helping us to decide what bits to protect in that setting (freezers and borehole pump mainly)

i guess I might have to wait for better awareness of my usage until all this is installed, assuming we get permission for it. 
im disappointed by the smart meter though - can I ask OVO to give me one that provides more useful info?

 

Unfortunately there’s no smart meter system that helps much for solar feeds. 
Generally, solar PV/battery/inverters have their own monitors which help to see what’s being generated etc. but for yours I’m not sure that I’ve seen one unless the installers can help. 
If wired correctly, the solar/battery feed simply supplies the house when available so the meter just sees what’s being drawn from the grid - physics I’m afraid. 
You could get a separate monitoring system to look at the solar if you really want to 

something like this maybe 

https://www.smartgreenshop.co.uk/owl-intuition-pv

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BPLightlog
Super User
BPLightlogSuper User
Super User
February 15, 2024

..,

 

Glowmarkt (who are behind the free Bright app) also sell a separate IHD for a relatively modest amount (around £60 IIRC), which requires no hidden wiring in meter cupboards or lofts etc. (it works in the same way as your existing IHD, so can sit in your living room or kitchen or wherever) which monitors your household figures in real time, including I *think* export. But you would need to check on that. I will have a look at their website and see if I’m correct on that..I’ve no experience using that IHD, although it’s on my to-do list!

 

 

Unfortunately it doesn’t (I have one) but it’s in their ‘to-do’ list. The ivie bud by Chameleon claims to but having tried one of those myself as well, it only works if the SMHAN (smart meter communication) is configured to transmit that data

Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    February 15, 2024

    Just another thought @Janetf , you could look at the export register on your Landis & Gyr meter. 
    Here's some info from another site but the button sequence does depend on the meter version

     

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      J
      Rank 2
      JanetfAuthor
      Rank 2
      February 15, 2024

      Thanks - mine has A on the right and B lower down on the left. Multiple presses of A as per instructions doesn’t seem to do anything

      BPLightlog
      Super User
      BPLightlogSuper User
      Super User
      February 15, 2024

      Thanks - mine has A on the right and B lower down on the left. Multiple presses of A as per instructions doesn’t seem to do anything

      The L&G meters are always tricky .. take a look at this from another site

      To take an export reading from your Landis and Gyr SMETS2 electricity meter:

      Your Landis + Gyr smart meter will have either:

      1. Two equal sized green A and grey B buttons, to the right of the screen
      2. A bigger green A button to the right of the screen, and a smaller black B button underneath the screen

      If your meter has equal sized A and B buttons:

      • Press the A button to get to the screen that says ‘Credit mode bal’.
      • Press and hold the A button for around 2 seconds, until the screen shows the time.
      • Press the A button several more times to cycle through the meter's screens until you see your ‘Total Act Export’ reading in kWh.

      If your meter has a larger green A button and a smaller black B button:

      • Press and hold the A button until the time appears. 
      • Press the A button several more times to cycle through the meter's screens until you see your ‘Total Act Export’ reading in kWh.

      If that doesn’t work we’ll take another look.

      Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper User
        Super User
        February 15, 2024

        There’s another useful tool here .. you select your meter type, the reading you want and it shows how to get it. 
        https://www.smartme.co.uk/reading-my-meter.html

        Probably not completely covering all meter types though

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