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CraigM1996
Rank 2
October 22, 2024
Solved

New to solar panels, do they power my home directly?

  • October 22, 2024
  • 30 replies
  • 2558 views

I’ve recently bought a house which has solar panels already installed (no battery storage) along with the FiT Scheme. I have transferred ownership and I just have a few general/basic questions regarding the solar panels/FiT scheme.
 

I’m only querying this as my neighbour in the same size house/same number of occupants (2 adults) is roughly £40 a month cheaper than us in energy bills without solar panels.


I have just submitted my first generation reading to OVO and will receive my first payment in December. OVO have said that I am paid for any excess energy that I generate. Are the solar panels directly powering some appliances in my house and if so why don’t I see the benefits on my energy bill?  On average we use roughly 380kW per month and have a smart meter just for our electricity.

 

Apologies for the basic questions, I just want to make sure I understand it all before selecting our new tariff.

 

Thanks

    Best answer by BPLightlog

    Hi @CraigM1996 , it will depend on how the control (inverter) is set. 
    Usually the setting is to 

    1. power any draw from the home
    2. charge any batteries (if fitted)
    3. export excess to the grid

    Of course, this hierarchy varies throughout the day but you should see reduced usage from the grid as you suggest.
    The system should have a monitor either via an app or a web portal. This can help to confirm where the generated power is being used. 
    You could also check against your half hour usage graphs to show usage vs expected. 
    On the FIT scheme you will either be paid for generation plus deemed export or measured. This might also determine what you sign up to. 
    If you post the system set up we might be able to help further if needed 

    30 replies

    BPLightlog
    Super User
    BPLightlogSuper UserSolved
    Super User
    October 22, 2024

    Hi @CraigM1996 , it will depend on how the control (inverter) is set. 
    Usually the setting is to 

    1. power any draw from the home
    2. charge any batteries (if fitted)
    3. export excess to the grid

    Of course, this hierarchy varies throughout the day but you should see reduced usage from the grid as you suggest.
    The system should have a monitor either via an app or a web portal. This can help to confirm where the generated power is being used. 
    You could also check against your half hour usage graphs to show usage vs expected. 
    On the FIT scheme you will either be paid for generation plus deemed export or measured. This might also determine what you sign up to. 
    If you post the system set up we might be able to help further if needed 

    Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
      B
      Rank 6
      brichard
      Rank 6
      October 22, 2024

      Normally the electricity generated by your solar panels will be used to power you house when the sun shines. Only if you generate more electricity than your house needs will it be exported to the grid. You should see the electricity usage on your smart meter go down as the sun comes out providing your electricity consumption is the same.

       

      It's quite possible to that you use more electricity than you neighbour. A £40 per month difference is not huge.

      It takes individuals to take action to bring about change
        M
        Newcomer
        Missbob
        Newcomer
        October 22, 2024

        May I also ask a question re Solar panels please;

        Do you still get charged a daily standing charge if you have these?

        BPLightlog
        Super User
        BPLightlogSuper User
        Super User
        October 22, 2024

        May I also ask a question re Solar panels please;

        Do you still get charged a daily standing charge if you have these?

        If you have a meter of any sort then yes, there is the standing charge still to pay

        Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
          M
          Newcomer
          Missbob
          Newcomer
          October 22, 2024

          Thank you for your reply. That's interesting to know 👍

            J
            Rank 2
            JNeve
            Rank 2
            October 22, 2024

            Well l can’t really comment as we don’t have solar panels. and don’t understand about them much.

            C
            Rank 2
            CraigM1996Author
            Rank 2
            October 22, 2024

            @BPLightlog thank you for your reply!

             

            unfortunately we don’t have access to any app as we are not technically OVO customers and don’t have an account/only use them for the pre existing FiT scheme. However, it would be worth querying this with OVO and trying to access this. 
             

            I’ve attached a photo of the schematic for our Solar panel system - not sure if it we be of any help.

             

            thanks

             

              P
              Rank 2
              Phil225xe
              Rank 2
              October 22, 2024

              If you can invest in getting a battery pack fitted to store your excess energy rather than flog it back to the grid. Also investigate switching to economy 7 so in the winter charge the battery 100% on the cheap rate to power your house for most of the day.

              BPLightlog
              Super User
              BPLightlogSuper User
              Super User
              October 22, 2024

              @BPLightlog thank you for your reply!

               

              unfortunately we don’t have access to any app as we are not technically OVO customers and don’t have an account/only use them for the pre existing FiT scheme. However, it would be worth querying this with OVO and trying to access this. 
               

              I’ve attached a photo of the schematic for our Solar panel system - not sure if it we be of any help.

               

              Any control/monitor is not via the supplier but the inverter itself so if you look at Solax and the model number you should find their monitoring system although you will need the previous owners log in or get set up yourselves. 
              They use what’s known as SolaX cloud although there should be an App as well. 

              Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
              C
              Rank 2
              CraigM1996Author
              Rank 2
              October 22, 2024

              @BPLightlog perfect thank you very much for your help - as far as I’m aware the previous owners didn’t have this set up so I have opened an account and will try to add the inverter once I’m home from work. I’m presuming i won’t be able to see previous data from the inverter and will only get to see the data starting from now.

               

              Thanks

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                OVO Energy Ltd, Floor 5, Crescent, Temple Back, Redcliffe, BS1 6EZ, (Company no. 06890795) registered in England and Wales.

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

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