Skip to main content
M
Rank 1
Massey
Rank 1
June 29, 2022
Solved

What does the pylon symbol mean on my Chameleon In-Home Display (IHD) 6?

  • June 29, 2022
  • 25 replies
  • 4741 views

I cannot find any reference to the electricity pylon symbol  in any of the guides to theIHD 6 display .I am guessing it is indicating that the solar is exporting .any help on this would be good.

Best answer by Tim_OVO

Updated on 09/04/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

Hi @Massey - great question this, we do smart meters and IHDs pretty good here on the OVO Forum, so we always welcome the chance to fill any content gaps!

 

I can see that for the Chameleon 3 In Home Display (IHD), the ‘pylon’ icon shows on the screen if you generate your own energy, (like solar panels), and you’re a net exporter to the grid at that time. This is an important point, because if you’re generating your own electricity, it’s offset against what you use. So net means you’re generating more than you’re using.

 

The amount of energy being exported in kWh will show on the IHD and the live value in £ will show as zero as there is no cost to you for exporting electricity.

 

I’ve not been able to find any info about a IHD6 showing this. @Blastoise186 is one of our smart tech expert members. Also let me ask @EverythingNeedsAUserName @hambrook @PeterR1947 in case they have an IHD6 with their solar…

 

I’ve seen this before and it is indeed an indicator that you’re currently exporting spare electricity back to the grid.

Not every supplier enables it though.

 

25 replies

Tim_OVO
OVO Staff
Tim_OVOSolved
OVO Forum Legend
June 30, 2022

Updated on 09/04/25 by Emmanuelle_OVO:

Hi @Massey - great question this, we do smart meters and IHDs pretty good here on the OVO Forum, so we always welcome the chance to fill any content gaps!

 

I can see that for the Chameleon 3 In Home Display (IHD), the ‘pylon’ icon shows on the screen if you generate your own energy, (like solar panels), and you’re a net exporter to the grid at that time. This is an important point, because if you’re generating your own electricity, it’s offset against what you use. So net means you’re generating more than you’re using.

 

The amount of energy being exported in kWh will show on the IHD and the live value in £ will show as zero as there is no cost to you for exporting electricity.

 

I’ve not been able to find any info about a IHD6 showing this. @Blastoise186 is one of our smart tech expert members. Also let me ask @EverythingNeedsAUserName @hambrook @PeterR1947 in case they have an IHD6 with their solar…

 

I’ve seen this before and it is indeed an indicator that you’re currently exporting spare electricity back to the grid.

Not every supplier enables it though.

 

Carbon neutral - we need a community to get there! My green tech: Aclara SGM 1411-B smart meter, Chameleon IHD6
PeterR1947
Newcomer
PeterR1947
Newcomer
June 30, 2022

I think it must be a supplier specific option, I’m with GE UK on the V2G trial and the Chameleon just shows zero usage when exporting

PeterR
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    June 30, 2022

    I’ve seen this before and it is indeed an indicator that you’re currently exporting spare electricity back to the grid.

    Not every supplier enables it though.

    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!
    E
    Rank 7
    EverythingNeedsAUserName
    Rank 7
    July 1, 2022

    Gosh I'm out of date. My IHD is a pipit! Minimal information and impossible to make it stay on the electricity kW screen. 

     

    3.99kW solar 2015, 12kWh batteries 2022, Tado.
    Blastoise186
    Super User
    Blastoise186Super User
    Super User
    July 1, 2022

    Yeah, the Secure Pipit 500 is pretty old these days, but nowhere near as old as the Chameleon IHD2 (yes, such a thing really exists!).

    To the best of my knowledge, the Exporting to Grid icon is an undocumented feature of the Chameleon IHD6 and IHD7 which indicates when you’re exporting back to the grid, but not all suppliers enable the feature and it also relies on the paired Smart Meter knowing when Exports are taking place. If you’re exporting through an independent Export Meter instead, there’s a possible chance the icon might never show up.

    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!
    E
    Rank 7
    EverythingNeedsAUserName
    Rank 7
    July 1, 2022

    I've no pretty symbols, but the pipit shows a negative figure when exporting, and a zero cost per hour. 

     

    3.99kW solar 2015, 12kWh batteries 2022, Tado.
      P
      Newcomer
      Petergh
      Newcomer
      September 14, 2022

      Hi,

      I’ve just had smart meter 2 and chameleon ihd installed by EDF 

      Have solar panels fitted (FIT era ) and at the moment (cloudy day) the pylon logo is showing and display about 800 kw and zero cost . 
      Appears to confirm  previous comments and I wait for a sunny to really study things. 
       

        C
        Rank 2
        Cazbob
        Rank 2
        February 24, 2024

        I get my energy from EDF, but i have Solar Panels with OVO Energy. I have recently had smart meters fitted and the smart meter is showing the pylon symbol. I understand this means that you’re currently exporting spare electricity back to the grid. My question is why has EDF got access to my Solar panels? I get payments from OVO quarterly for the energy that the panels provide, if EDF are exporting will i now not get payments from OVO? My smart meter is a Chameleon. 

        Blastoise186
        Super User
        Blastoise186Super User
        Super User
        February 24, 2024

        Hi @Cazbob ,

        Your Smart Meter was not manufactured by Chameleon because Chameleon Technology doesn’t make Smart Meters. They instead make In-Home Displays (IHDs) that are used with Smart Meters. The actual Smart Meter is on a wall in the same place as your previous meter was in.

        The pylon symbol on the IHD is indeed an export indicator. However, in your case EDF does NOT have access to that at all. It’s been triggered because the meter on the wall has detected exports and broadcast a notification of that event to the IHD. If you don’t have FiT/SEG with EDF, then they will NOT be the ones paying out for your exports. Since you said you have FiT/SEG with OVO, it will still be OVO that pays out for your exports.

        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!
          BPLightlog
          Super User
          BPLightlogSuper User
          Super User
          February 24, 2024

          Hi @Cazbob , I presume you’re talking about the IHD (in home display) rather than the smart meter itself. 
          The Chameleon IHD will indicate when there is power being exported but this has nothing to do with your incoming supply contract. 
          The indicator is simply for your information and you import power and export power will be as you’ve got them set up. 
          Edit: crossed post with Blastoise

          Bring me Sunshine ~ E&E {Solar PV, Battery Storage, Hybrid EV, ASHP and Home Assistant automation}
            Show more replies
            Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement

            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.

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