Help with solar usage as recorded on new smart meter

[TPetti]

Hi,
We have recently had a e-on smart meter installed, which has thrown up questions, which I feel I should know the answers to, but may have been a bit lazy in understanding the factors involved. Can anyone educate me ?

We have a 4kwh solar array installed in 2012 with a current FIT rate of £0.56p.

The new meter shows the net (Solar / Grid). Firstly, this makes it difficult to see our real time draw from the grid as the Solar input constantly fluctuates depending on the levels of irradiation (especially with intermittent cloud cover).

Secondly, The alternative 'home page' display shows the cost (£p) which I can only assume is not a net amount ?

Thirdly, I had always thought it best to switch on appliances when generating from solar. However, If my FIT is @ £0.56p and my cost from the grid is @ £0.30p, would I not be better off generating the max during the day and drawing from the grid after sunset ?

Any input would be appreciated

Trevor

 

[Murdoch]

What does the meter from your PV show?

 

[TPetti]

The original PV meter shows accumulated solar generated.
My question relates to the new in-home smart energy meter and the netting off of real time solar generated against the draw from the grid.

 

[Murdoch]

What does your supplier say ?

 

[binky]

Thirdly, I had always thought it best to switch on appliances when generating from solar. However, If my FIT is @ £0.56p and my cost from the grid is @ £0.30p, would I not be better off generating the max during the day and drawing from the grid after sunset ?

Any input would be appreciated

Trevor

Absolutely not, you get paid the FiT based on exactly what you generate, as clocked by your generation meter. If you can use the solar electric as well, then that's an extra 30p saving.

 

[TPetti]

What does your supplier say ?

Thanks, Good question. Needless to say 3 calls, 9 menu's and 60 mins, left hanging in space !!

 

[TPetti]

Absolutely not, you get paid the FiT based on exactly what you generate, as clocked by your generation meter. If you can use the solar electric as well, then that's an extra 30p saving.

Thanks,
This is what I thought, but the meter, along with the instructions seem to contradict ! It would be simper if there was no 'netting off' (Solar / Grid)
I could then calculate my FIT value via my PV meter, and then use the meter to show real time elec from the grid.

 

[ProDave]

Don't over think it, you get paid for GENERATION with the FIT. Just self use as much as you can while the sin shines and enjoy having your cake and eating it.

In simple terms, in the middle of the day when your inverter is outputting 3.69kW and you put the kettle on, then your will not import ANY (unless you are also using something else) so just what do you expect your smart meter to say? Your old meter would just have failed to register any units imported if you are self using.

 

[Barx]

Your FiT is paid on what you generate as recorded on your generation meter, regardless of whether you use it or not.
You 'Export tariff' is paid on what you export. Now, if you don't have an export meter, the export is deemed to be 50% typically. Now that you have a smart meter, technically they can measure export. not sure whether they change it to measure export rather than deem 50%.

Export tariff is typically about 5p, so better of using, rather than exporting.