I am hoping someone from OVO will be able to help me with this.
With your new (upcoming?) V2G tariff which pays for exported energy:
1) Does this work with a smart meter (SMETS2?) which keep track of 'exported' energy kWh via a separate reading? Therefore it's counting both the EV car's exported energy and the solar panel's exported energy together?
2) Would someone with solar panels therefore be paid by you on the basis that they're outside of the FiT scheme (opting-out or never registered for FiT export payments?)
3) Does the solar panel energy have to first be 'fed into' the V2G car battery, and then exported out to the grid via the V2G connector, or e.g. when the car isn't connected to the charger and is out on the road, and there is excess solar energy being produced at home, would that energy be exported and counted by the smart meter directly and would this exported energy still be paid for by you regardless?
4) Is it a REQUIREMENT that we have an EV car and/or purchase an EV charger from you, in order to sign up for this new tariff?
I purchased a property a few months ago and the previous owner, for whatever reason, never registered for the FiT and it's no longer possible to do so as the system was installed prior to 2016.
Therefore I'm not registered for export payments, and it would be nice if via an innovative energy company and a smart meter-based export meter, I would be able to get paid for exporting this energy to the grid.
I am looking to possibly get an EV car in the next two years, but it's not an immediate priority, hence why I'm wondering if EV car ownership is an absolute requirement to join this new tariff of yours.
Many thanks in advance for any answers!
V2G Tariff, Smart Meters, and Solar Panel Export Payments - how does it all link up?
Best answer by Hari_OVO
Updated on 09/05/22 by Jess_OVO
Our Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) trial is no longer accepting new participants - check out our latest electric vehicle (EV) plan OVO Drive here.
Thanks for your message, it's a very interesting topic - and certainly one that is going to become more and more relevant given the recent government announcement that they would be removing FiT export payments on solar installations that take place after April 2019. If you haven’t got the required certification for your solar panels - check out the advice on the MCS website.
I'll answer your last question first, as it's probably the one that you're most keen to know the answer to, and there is a very short answer, which is yes. Unfortunately, in order to receive export payments via our V2G trial, you will need to own a Nissan Leaf.
We measure export reads via your smart meter, irrespective of whether it is a SMETS 1 or SMETS 2. And yes, you're absolutely right, it will measure exported energy regardless of whether it is from your car or solar.
We will give customers an export credit, on the condition that they have opted out of any FiT export payments that they may have previously been receiving. If you don’t have a Nissan Leaf and are looking for another way to be credited for the energy your solar panels are sending back to the grid, find out more about the Smart Export Guarantee and how to apply for this with OVO here.
Surely this shows clearly that the rate paid should be the same for all?
Hi
Your reply does indeed answer the bulk of my questions on this topic. It's always seemed crazy that there could be people out there generating electricity, feeding it onto the grid, and yet not receiving any kind of credit or payment for that. Utilities and DNOs pay generators for the electricity produced and fed onto the grid - if individuals are slapping solar panels on the roof and providing that energy to the grid, why shouldn't they receive payment for it too, given the energy produced will then be resold for a profit?
The recent news that the government are looking to legislate for utility companies to pay export payments is wonderful news, and hopefully should open up a lot of exciting possibilities for people who are generating electricity and feeding it back, regardless of how it's produced.
I'm not surprised your V2G tariff is only open to Nissan Leaf owners at this trial stage. However, would it be reasonable to assume that once the tariff is complete, you intend this tariff to be open to the public, and anyone is free to sign up for that tariff, that it won't be limited to Nissan Leaf owners?
Also, would it be fair to say Ovo will be looking to introduce export credits more broadly after the government's latest announcement?
The tying-together of EV car and solar generation, EV and home battery storage, smart meters and export payments opens up a lot of exciting possibilities for individuals... to generate and to import electricity during 'off-peak' periods, charge up the car, store it for use at 'peak' consumption times, and then discharge the surplus onto the grid during peaks when it's needed most in exchange for payment.
We live in exciting and innovative times. :)
Kind regards,
Steve
I think the V2G trials are limited to Nissan primary because CHAdeMO bras the necessary V2G protocols whereas CCS wil not have them until 2025.
Just thinking of changing supplier but need to know
- How soon would SMETS-2 be fitted after taking new OVO contract offer?
- Is SMETS-2 compatible with my solar panels i.e., will I still get the benefit of my free daytime solar generated electricity?
Can anyone contribute to the above please?
Thank you
+2- Carbon Catcher***
- 982 replies
Hi
The speed of getting a SMETS2 Meter fitted depends on where you are in the country. In my area of Devon there are installation slots available next week. But in some parts of the Northern Territory (including Scotland) there are areas of the network still not operational.
If you fill out your Forum Profile, that’ll give us a better idea of where you are!
Yes, all SMETS2 Meters are compatible with houses that have solar PV. They record electricity exported as a separate reading to that which you draw from the grid.
The question is whether you want to do this!
Many PV owners receive lucrative FIT payments based on an estimate of 50% of their generation being exported. Once you have a Smart Meter, you can be paid at the true rate.
Have a look at this other Topic where the pros and cons were discussed a year ago.
Let me just tag a Moderator…
Hi
+2- Carbon Catcher***
- 982 replies
Erm, yes it is
That’s because another Moderator (
Consequently, my link does indeed now point to (page-1 of) this very same Topic.
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