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amyhunter3111
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February 23, 2025
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My landlord is having solar panels installed on the property, do I need to tell my supplier?

  • February 23, 2025
  • 12 replies
  • 2301 views

My landlord is having solar panels installed on the property tomorrow, will I need to do anything with my smart meter? Like inform electric company etc 

 

thanks 

Best answer by Nukecad

Updated on 03/03/25 by Ben_OVO

It’s quite unusual, but getting more common, for a landlord to install solar panels at a rental property.

If/when they do then it’s almost certainly the LL who will be pocketing any SEG and not the tenant.
As noted the SEG and the electricity supply are seperate accounts.

The panels belong to the LL, who wants a return on their investment.
That return will be the SEG or a higher rent, possibly both.

Education is needed for the tenant who will have to learn how the setup works, however it’s a rental and tenants usually change so each new one will need educating or at least an information pack..

https://www.greenenergysolar.co.uk/do-tenants-benefit-from-solar-panels/

If you’re a tenant and your landlord is having solar panels installed you can let us know. If you’re a landlord and are having solar panels installed you can can set up your Smart Export Guarantee with OVO.

 

 

 

 

12 replies

Blastoise186
Super User
Blastoise186Super User
Super User
February 23, 2025

Hey ​@amyhunter3111 ,

Good luck with the install! It’s HIGHLY recommended you let your supplier know about this ASAP as they’ll need to authorise Exports so as to avoid triggering Reverse Run alarms on the meter. Once they know, they’ll do the rest in that regard.

If you wish to claim Smart Export Guarantee, you’ll need to apply for that separately before you can get paid for your Exports. OVO offers that so you can check out https://www.ovoenergy.com/seg for details.

You can - if you wish - choose to have SEG on a different supplier to your energy supply - they run on separate accounts and aren’t tied to each other.

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!
    A
    Rank 1
    amyhunter3111Author
    Rank 1
    February 23, 2025

    Thank you 

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper User
    Super User
    February 23, 2025

    What type of smart meter do you have ​@amyhunter3111 ?

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      Nukecad
      Super User
      NukecadSuper UserSolved
      Super User
      February 24, 2025

      Updated on 03/03/25 by Ben_OVO

      It’s quite unusual, but getting more common, for a landlord to install solar panels at a rental property.

      If/when they do then it’s almost certainly the LL who will be pocketing any SEG and not the tenant.
      As noted the SEG and the electricity supply are seperate accounts.

      The panels belong to the LL, who wants a return on their investment.
      That return will be the SEG or a higher rent, possibly both.

      Education is needed for the tenant who will have to learn how the setup works, however it’s a rental and tenants usually change so each new one will need educating or at least an information pack..

      https://www.greenenergysolar.co.uk/do-tenants-benefit-from-solar-panels/

      If you’re a tenant and your landlord is having solar panels installed you can let us know. If you’re a landlord and are having solar panels installed you can can set up your Smart Export Guarantee with OVO.

       

       

       

       

      I said, Hey - Watts going on.
        A
        Rank 1
        amyhunter3111Author
        Rank 1
        February 24, 2025

        This is the smart meter 

          A
          Rank 1
          amyhunter3111Author
          Rank 1
          February 24, 2025

          What type of smart meter do you have ​@amyhunter3111 ?

           

          BPLightlog
          Super User
          BPLightlogSuper User
          Super User
          February 24, 2025

          This is the smart meter 

          Thanks - I just wanted to double check. Most meters are compatible with solar PV these days but when my panels were first installed, they weren’t so I only had a smart meter installed once they’d updated them 

          Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
          T
          Rank 3
          Tricko
          Rank 3
          April 2, 2025

          So our Housing Association are installing Solar Panels and battery and ASHP. What do we need to tell OVO. Anything, nothing? We will no longer have storage heaters so no economy 7. Also we’ve just had a smart meter put in, if we change to another company is that ours and will it just switch to another supplier or do OVO get shirty.

          Blastoise186
          Super User
          Blastoise186Super User
          Super User
          April 2, 2025

          Hi ​@Tricko ,

          Generally you’ll want to give OVO a heads up to avoid being investigated for tampering and/or so your Smart Meter can be configured to permit exports. You might be able to get SEG too, but you’ll need to discuss that with your HA.

          Your meter will work with all suppliers - you’re not locked to OVO and you don’t need to tell OVO if you want to leave as the new supplier would tell OVO on your behalf. The meter will remain property of whoever the active supplier is though, you as the customer will never own it.

          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!
          T
          Rank 3
          Tricko
          Rank 3
          April 2, 2025

          Thanks I really don’t understand any of this! Configured to permits exports. What does that mean? What is SEG and what’s an HA. I was hoping anything in the batteries we would use to cut our bill. Though don’t know how we’d do that either!

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          OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ.

          OVO (S) Gas Limited is part of OVO Group Ltd