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Does the smart meter recognise the electricity I return to the grid through my solar panels?

Updated on 27/05/24 by Abby_OVO: 

 

Our Smart meters do track how much energy you’re exporting if you’ve got solar panels. To take your export reading check the instructions for your meter type below:

For an ‘Aclara’ meter (Elec MSN has an 'M')

Electricity - Screen 1 - readings, active tariff price, standing charge, export reads, meter mode

For a ‘Secure Liberty’ meter (Elec MSN has an '17, 18, or 19 P')

9 - Displays total import and export register values (will provide a total reading after IMP KWH)

However even with a Smart Meter you’ll still need to submit the readings manually if you’ve got a OVO Feed In Tariff or Smart Export Guarantee, there’s more discussion on this here.

 

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Many thanks Chris
Great response @Chris Juden - nailed it!



@peete52 I've edited the title of this topic and added some tags. You won't be the only customer with this query, and I want to make sure this topic is nice and searchable.



Thanks,

Tim
I had a smart meter installed after getting solar panels and I can confirm it does give the export reading, but with my meter its a bit convoluted having to press a certain button and get the second reading that appears - I'm not sure that applies to all meters fitted, but in my opinion, my meter is hardly "smart". I don't know if the reading would be accessible via a display panel as I was not provided with a display panel and neither have I been offered one, some 2 years after having the smart meter fitted!!!
I had a smart meter installed after getting solar panels and I can confirm it does give the export reading, but with my meter its a bit convoluted having to press a certain button and get the second reading that appears - I'm not sure that applies to all meters fitted, but in my opinion, my meter is hardly "smart". I don't know if the reading would be accessible via a display panel as I was not provided with a display panel and neither have I been offered one, some 2 years after having the smart meter fitted!!!



Hi @Steve587 thanks for posting, if you're still awaiting for your In Home Display (IHD) there is a backlog and waiting list for getting these out to customers. If this is what you are referring to please Private Message @Tim_OVO with your full name, address including post code, OVO account number, date of birth and mention you'd like to have a IHD, Tim can then get the ball rolling for you.



Hope this helps
As I have both smart meter and export meter I really don't understand the need for sums and percentages an people to work out who owes who what!

I still can't understand why we just can't pay for what we use i.e. The difference between what I use minus what went in!
Hi Matt

Yes, having seen a similar post to another forum member, I did this yesterday - wonder what the reply will be!! As I say, I've only had a smart meter for 2 years!!
Hi Matt

Yes, having seen a similar post to another forum member, I did this yesterday - wonder what the reply will be!! As I say, I've only had a smart meter for 2 years!!



I've just replied to that PM, @Steve587 🙂
I had solar panels fitted to my roof two years ago and have since had smart meters fitted. The problem is that I keep reading reports that say that smart meters do not work where solar panels are fitted. The smart meters seem to be communicating my energy usage, as they should and my solar pv meter is registering the energy produced. Can anyone enlighten me as to the problems I am likely to encounter, if any, or the reasons why the general advice seems to suggest that the systems I have installed will not work together?
I had solar panels fitted to my roof two years ago and have since had smart meters fitted. The problem is that I keep reading reports that say that smart meters do not work where solar panels are fitted. The smart meters seem to be communicating my energy usage, as they should and my solar pv meter is registering the energy produced. Can anyone enlighten me as to the problems I am likely to encounter, if any, or the reasons why the general advice seems to suggest that the systems I have installed will not work together?



Hey @Buster



I've moved your query to a topic that already covers this.



In short, your smart meters can work just fine with a Feed in Tariff (FIT) arrangement. They can work out exactly how much energy you export to the grid, which often leaves you better off. You'll need to sign up this FIT with OVO to get these payments from us. Check out this link for more info and the actual application form: https://www.ovoenergy.com/ovo-answers/topics/payments-and-statements/payments/whats-a-feed-in-tariff-fit-and-how-do-i-apply.html.



Hope this helps,

Tim
OK, thanks for that Tim, very reassuring. Next question, how can I get my smart meter to tell me how much energy I am exporting to the grid? Can I get my IHD to display this information or is it only available at the smart meter?
OK, thanks for that Tim, very reassuring. Next question, how can I get my smart meter to tell me how much energy I am exporting to the grid? Can I get my IHD to display this information or is it only available at the smart meter?



It’s only available on the smart meter at the moment @Buster. To see this information, just press ‘9’ on your meter.



Lucy


In short, your smart meters can work just fine with a Feed in Tariff (FIT) arrangement. They can work out exactly how much energy you export to the grid, which often leaves you better off. You'll need to sign up this FIT with OVO to get these payments from us. Check out this link for more info and the actual application form: https://www.ovoenergy.com/ovo-answers/topics/payments-and-statements/payments/whats-a-feed-in-tariff-fit-and-how-do-i-apply.html.



Hope this helps,

Tim

just to be certain please Tim...

I've had solar for 18 months.

Smart meter fitted 2 weeks ago.

What readings do I need to give? The smart meter installer took away the old gas and electricity meters so presumably has the readings from them. He didn't look at my solar power meter, so OVO cannot know what was generated up to installation of the smart meter.

I'm due to submit a FIT reading by the end of this month.

Should I include a reading from my generation meter taken just prior to install? (I took a photo of all the meters before the engineer started work)



I assume that I need to continue submitting readings from the generation meter, and the smart meter will report only what was exported?

Presumably the first quarter that the smart meter was installed is calculated in two parts - a proportion that is calculated at 50% export, and the known export from date of installation of of the smart meter.



Can someone confirm please?



I do think it would be sensible to include this in the FAQ about installing smart meters with solar panels.
just to be certain please Tim...

I've had solar for 18 months.

Smart meter fitted 2 weeks ago.

What readings do I need to give? The smart meter installer took away the old gas and electricity meters so presumably has the readings from them. He didn't look at my solar power meter, so OVO cannot know what was generated up to installation of the smart meter.

I'm due to submit a FIT reading by the end of this month.

Should I include a reading from my generation meter taken just prior to install? (I took a photo of all the meters before the engineer started work)



I assume that I need to continue submitting readings from the generation meter, and the smart meter will report only what was exported?

Presumably the first quarter that the smart meter was installed is calculated in two parts - a proportion that is calculated at 50% export, and the known export from date of installation of of the smart meter.



Can someone confirm please?



I do think it would be sensible to include this in the FAQ about installing smart meters with solar panels.



Good few queries here @EverythingNeedsAUserName



This OVO Answers page outlines all the options for you: https://www.ovoenergy.com/ovo-answers/topics/payments-and-statements/payments/whats-a-feed-in-tariff-fit-and-how-do-i-apply.html.



Now that you have smart metes, we'll need to change you to the 'metered export' payment type. The explanation of this is as follows:



"If you’ve got one of our Smart Meters fitted, this is the export choice for you. Our Smart Meters can measure the amount of power you export, so we can pay you for exactly what you give back to the grid. If you’ve got an installation of 30 kWh or above you must have an export meter fitted – just ask us and we can give you more details of this process".



You'll need to change your FIT arrangement to change the payment type. Contact our friendly, Bristol-based team on 0800 408 6622. They’re here from 9am until 5pm, Monday to Friday. Outside these times, email FITS@ovoenergy.com and they will get back to you within 48 hours.



Hope this helps,

Tim
Hi Tim

Thanks. Very helpful indeed. I'm glad I asked.



That linked page covers it - just not where I'd expect to find it.

It would have been sensible had I been told this when I booked the smart meter install. I'd specifically stated I had solar and asked if there was anything else I needed to do.

The FAQ would also do well to state what you've told me.



Jim
If I have one of your smart meters and it can measure the amount of power exported from my panels to the Grid, what is the need for all this FIT business!!!!!!!
If I have one of your smart meters and it can measure the amount of power exported from my panels to the Grid, what is the need for all this FIT business!!!!!!!The smart meter can tell what has been exported, but there is no way for it to know how much you have used inside your house. As you get paid for the total you generate, your FIT readings are vital for this.

Maybe one day, there will be smart solar generation meters that also link in to the smart meter system. I'm not holding my breath!
If I have one of your smart meters and it can measure the amount of power exported from my panels to the Grid, what is the need for all this FIT business!!!!!!! Your smart meter will inform OVO of the amount of power exported to the grid but you may well be receiving your FIT payments from another supplier who will not have this information, even though your account is with OVO. Hence the need to supply FIT readings. My original energy supplier was British Gas and I received my FIT payments from them, I changed my supplier to OVO but still receive FIT payments from British Gas, OVO have the readings from my smart meter but British Gas still need my FIT readings.
Your smart meter will inform OVO of the amount of power exported to the grid but you may well be receiving your FIT payments from another supplier who will not have this information, even though your account is with OVO. Hence the need to supply FIT readings. My original energy supplier was British Gas and I received my FIT payments from them, I changed my supplier to OVO but still receive FIT payments from British Gas, OVO have the readings from my smart meter but British Gas still need my FIT readings.



Ok! My Installer's registration ran out the day I paid for my PV system so they couldn't register me with FIT,

I have never had FIT payments at all from anybody but I am still putting energy onto the grid all day long! and have been for a year,

Ovo know this but the industry seems to be in a muddle as they can't help me either,

I still don't understand why I just can't pay the difference between what I am producing and what I have used as I have both export meter and Not so Smart meter.!!!!!
Ok! My Installer's registration ran out the day I paid for my PV system so they couldn't register me with FIT,

I have never had FIT payments at all from anybody but I am still putting energy onto the grid all day long! and have been for a year,

Ovo know this but the industry seems to be in a muddle as they can't help me either,

I still don't understand why I just can't pay the difference between what I am producing and what I have used as I have both export meter and Not so Smart meter.!!!!!



If your installer was registered when they installed your solar PV system then that should have allowed you to register your system, your date of payment should not affect this. You should have been provided with the registration details from your supplier which you can use to register your system. As far as I remember you are the one responsible for registration not your installer.
.........

I have never had FIT payments at all from anybody but I am still putting energy onto the grid all day long! and have been for a year,.............

.

You are missing out on a large chunk of money if you are not receiving any FIT payments.
Interesting chat here @Buster and @Confused grandma - I've just edited your replies to include a quote of the comment you're responding to.



Tim
My installer didn't give me an MCS certificate and I have yet to find someone near me in SE London or North Kent who will do that,

Ovo have all my relevant paperwork except this so they can't help, then there is the business of how much you get payed according to when you registered ??!! it all seems so convoluted and the National Grid are doing very well out of it!
My installer didn't give me an MCS certificate and I have yet to find someone near me in SE London or North Kent who will do that,

If I were you I would get in touch with these people who should be able to sort out your MCS Certificate given they are responsible for the certification process and should be aware that your installers registration lapsed on the date you paid, but the system was fitted whilst they were still registered and so therefore should still be certified.

http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/

Ovo have all my relevant paperwork except this so they can't help, No they won't, they will require the third party certification. then there is the business of how much you get payed according to when you registered ??!! it all seems so convoluted and the National Grid are doing very well out of it!

I only have a small system (2.0kwp) but my last quarterly FIT cheque was close to £100. Depending upon how you deal with this I would think you might even be able to backdate your claim for the FIT payments, it really is worth pursuing.
I had a smart meter installed after getting solar panels and I can confirm it does give the export reading, but with my meter its a bit convoluted having to press a certain button and get the second reading that appears - I'm not sure that applies to all meters fitted, but in my opinion, my meter is hardly "smart". I don't know if the reading would be accessible via a display panel as I was not provided with a display panel and neither have I been offered one, some 2 years after having the smart meter fitted!!!sorry no, the export reading is not shown on the IHD. What it does show after two or three presses is the net use as of "now", though it appears to only register every 20 seconds or so. So for example it might show -877W meaning an export or if I switch the kettle on it might show 1.91kW (it is a 2.5 - 3kw kettle). I cannot see the total exported.

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