Discussion
If you're still on an "old" fixed price deal with BG, it's probably worth sticking with it.
I was on the bog standard variable rate with BG - I originally switched to Octopus because it was the same standard variable tariff, but the customer service looked much better, even before I had all the solar stuff installed.
I was on the bog standard variable rate with BG - I originally switched to Octopus because it was the same standard variable tariff, but the customer service looked much better, even before I had all the solar stuff installed.
Arnold Cunningham said:
If you're still on an "old" fixed price deal with BG, it's probably worth sticking with it.
I was on the bog standard variable rate with BG - I originally switched to Octopus because it was the same standard variable tariff, but the customer service looked much better, even before I had all the solar stuff installed.
I'm paying a fixed rate of £51 per month! I am very happy. (Elec only, no gas)I was on the bog standard variable rate with BG - I originally switched to Octopus because it was the same standard variable tariff, but the customer service looked much better, even before I had all the solar stuff installed.
My total bill before all the madness was £300 per month with people's energy. And then the buggers went bankcrupt.
I am happy enough with Octopus though - they seem by far the best energy supplier IMVHO.
I was with BG for a while and I found them to be terrible in all aspects, other than the standard price at BG was the same at Octopus.
I switched to Octopus at the time when they were saying "Don't join us, we won't save you money" - so I phoned them up and said please.
I am happy enough with Octopus though - they seem by far the best energy supplier IMVHO.
I was with BG for a while and I found them to be terrible in all aspects, other than the standard price at BG was the same at Octopus.
I switched to Octopus at the time when they were saying "Don't join us, we won't save you money" - so I phoned them up and said please.
Edited by Arnold Cunningham on Wednesday 5th April 17:38
Arnold Cunningham said:
If you're still on an "old" fixed price deal with BG, it's probably worth sticking with it.
I was on the bog standard variable rate with BG - I originally switched to Octopus because it was the same standard variable tariff, but the customer service looked much better, even before I had all the solar stuff installed.
I was with Sainsburys up until the beginning of the week at 18.9p/kWh and 25p standing charge and have moved to Octopus as i'm now in a period where i'm not using the grid and regularly exporting. Currently on the flexible and moving to Flux as soon as my smart meter is joined up to their system. If you're exporting a chunk every day and rarely rely on the grid, now might be the time to move even if your current deal is half the price to benefit from the export, as most sub 20p/kWh will be up by the end of the year.I was on the bog standard variable rate with BG - I originally switched to Octopus because it was the same standard variable tariff, but the customer service looked much better, even before I had all the solar stuff installed.
jesusbuiltmycar said:
Do any of you use Micro-Inverters instead of the standard String inverters? A friend has been looking into this and believes they re the best option for a number of reasons (the main one being there is no single point of failure)....
Terminology - I think that "string inverters" generally refers to inverters which simply convert DC from the panels to AC for the mains. If they can also charge and discharge batteries (DC, obviously) then they are called "hybrid inverters". I also think that micro-inverters' main benefit is that they cope better with individual panels performing at different efficiencies, particularly if due to partial shading. You can also get to see the performance of each individual panel.Penny Whistle said:
Terminology - I think that "string inverters" generally refers to inverters which simply convert DC from the panels to AC for the mains. If they can also charge and discharge batteries (DC, obviously) then they are called "hybrid inverters". I also think that micro-inverters' main benefit is that they cope better with individual panels performing at different efficiencies, particularly if due to partial shading. You can also get to see the performance of each individual panel.
See here. https://unboundsolar.com/blog/micro-inverters-vs-s..."String Inverter" is a single centralized inverter for the entire string of panels.
"Micro Inverters" are per-panel inverters, so you get AC directly off the roof.
Penny Whistle said:
Terminology - I think that "string inverters" generally refers to inverters which simply convert DC from the panels to AC for the mains. If they can also charge and discharge batteries (DC, obviously) then they are called "hybrid inverters". I also think that micro-inverters' main benefit is that they cope better with individual panels performing at different efficiencies, particularly if due to partial shading. You can also get to see the performance of each individual panel.
In reality, a lot of words mean whatever people want them to mean.Or not.
jesusbuiltmycar said:
Do any of you use Micro-Inverters instead of the standard String inverters? A friend has been looking into this and believes they re the best option for a number of reasons (the main one being there is no single point of failure)....
Instead you have a load of things that can go wrong where they are inaccessible on your roof.If you don't have 3+ orientations or complex shading then there is little point in paying extra for either microinverters or optimisers.
Here is a reasonable overview https://youtu.be/9GvhDhCSJgo
Just had a third quote: 4.6KW panels + 10kwh battery system for ~£11K. That's about 25% less than the other quotes I've had, which is both good and worrying at the same time.
Trina panels, battery and inverter from https://www.givenergy.co.uk/
I'm not familiar with givenergy - is the system any good?
Trina panels, battery and inverter from https://www.givenergy.co.uk/
I'm not familiar with givenergy - is the system any good?
silentbrown said:
Just had a third quote: 4.6KW panels + 10kwh battery system for ~£11K. That's about 25% less than the other quotes I've had, which is both good and worrying at the same time.
Trina panels, battery and inverter from https://www.givenergy.co.uk/
I'm not familiar with givenergy - is the system any good?
Very similar to my price once you factor in I had 'in roof' mounting and split east/west which added to the cost and slightly higher capacity at 4.8 kWp. That is with the Givenergy stuff. Based on what i've seen from others i'm happy, although i'm waiting for the inverter to be installed on my own system.Trina panels, battery and inverter from https://www.givenergy.co.uk/
I'm not familiar with givenergy - is the system any good?
A key point to check, is it a gen2 inverter? gen1 have lower battery discharge/charge rates.
gazapc said:
Very similar to my price once you factor in I had 'in roof' mounting and split east/west which added to the cost and slightly higher capacity at 4.8 kWp. That is with the Givenergy stuff. Based on what i've seen from others i'm happy, although i'm waiting for the inverter to be installed on my own system.
A key point to check, is it a gen2 inverter? gen1 have lower battery discharge/charge rates.
Cheers. Yes, a Gen2. A key point to check, is it a gen2 inverter? gen1 have lower battery discharge/charge rates.
My previous 'best quote' was £3.5K more, for a system with 500w less power. Well worth shopping around.
silentbrown said:
Cheers. Yes, a Gen2.
My previous 'best quote' was £3.5K more, for a system with 500w less power. Well worth shopping around.
Good, but make sure it's the Gen 2 inverter that they actually install My previous 'best quote' was £3.5K more, for a system with 500w less power. Well worth shopping around.
There was some info recently that a wholesaler was selling off the Gen 1 inverters at a giveaway price, so there will be some dodgy installers trying to fit those to unsuspective clients.
SoliD said:
Arnold Cunningham said:
If you're still on an "old" fixed price deal with BG, it's probably worth sticking with it.
I was on the bog standard variable rate with BG - I originally switched to Octopus because it was the same standard variable tariff, but the customer service looked much better, even before I had all the solar stuff installed.
I was with Sainsburys up until the beginning of the week at 18.9p/kWh and 25p standing charge and have moved to Octopus as i'm now in a period where i'm not using the grid and regularly exporting. Currently on the flexible and moving to Flux as soon as my smart meter is joined up to their system. If you're exporting a chunk every day and rarely rely on the grid, now might be the time to move even if your current deal is half the price to benefit from the export, as most sub 20p/kWh will be up by the end of the year.I was on the bog standard variable rate with BG - I originally switched to Octopus because it was the same standard variable tariff, but the customer service looked much better, even before I had all the solar stuff installed.
Quick legal question, I have a friend who had solar panels installed about the same time as me (6 months ago) however he doesn't have a smart meter, so when he is exporting to the grid his meter actually spins backwards! In real terms this means that he can use the grid as a massive efficient battery. He is in effect getting paid for the export at the same rate he pays for his energy rather than the derisory rate that I'm getting.
He is concerned at the moment as his meter is currently reading less than it was the last time he submitted a reading so either he has to submit a false reading, turn his solar off for a while, or start using some high energy using appliances (like his hot tub) to actually show some usage!
Obviously the energy supplier will be suspicious due to his very low/negative usage but is he actually doing anything wrong and are there any legal implications?
Any help much appreciated.
He is concerned at the moment as his meter is currently reading less than it was the last time he submitted a reading so either he has to submit a false reading, turn his solar off for a while, or start using some high energy using appliances (like his hot tub) to actually show some usage!
Obviously the energy supplier will be suspicious due to his very low/negative usage but is he actually doing anything wrong and are there any legal implications?
Any help much appreciated.
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