Smart meter and solar PV

[Steve_D]

Anybody know if any of the suppliers have a smart meter that can deal with Solar PV or microgen?
I don't believe EON do but wondered if I can switch to someone who does.
Really can't believe they have come this far down the development of Smart without dealing with PV.

Cheers
Steve

[Snake the Sniper]

In what way do you mean deal with PV? The Eon one won't go backwards, just as AFAIK no electronic meter does. Do you mean record the export? If so, I believe that is planned, but the current FIT set up is a shambles anyway.....

[Gazzas86]

I have a Smart Meter with EON, i also have Solar PV which i have just filled out the FiT paperwork this week and sent it to EON. I was chatting to the woman the other week, and the PV/FIT is although EON, completely separate to the dual fuel side of things, (as they provide Gas and Elec).

On the 6 page FiT form i've had to give my bank details on where i want the monthly payment to go from the Elec i generate.

I agree with you though, it's annoying the EON smart meter cannot read the PV meters details, and take into account what i generate and adjust the meter/bill as we go

[wainy]

We have Solar and a British Gas smart meter (electric). It doesnt show export it just shows the zero use when its sunny.
Funnily enough we did have a call from BG about a gas smart meter - but they couldnt do it (I assume it would combine gas / elec use) because of the solar pv.

[Steve_D]

From what I've read on the net (although much of the info is old) the smart meters can't tell direction of flow so they register both directions as use. This means even though you are charging the meter thinks you are using.

My existing digital meter has a red LED that flashes at a varying rate depending on how much I am using. The LED goes green when I am charging but does not flash. I'm told this is actually a design feature to indicate fraudulent use of the meter.

I'm not expecting a smart which can record both my in and out just don't want to pay for what I'm producing.

Steve

[dickymint]

Just goes to show what a total mess so called smart meters are!! Why on Earth would you want one in the first place? Do people really believe they are free? Do people really believe they are being rolled out to save you money?

[Paul Drawmer]

I have solar PV and export well in excess of half my generation. When the system was originally fitted the old meter ran backwards when the sun was shining. This wasn't allowed to continue, and the old meter was replaced with a bi-directional meter.

I get paid according to the meter reading for export rather than a deemed 50% of generation. So I would hope that if I am forced to have anew so called smart meter, it will be able to read both directions.

I wouldn't want a smart meter anyway, can't see the point as I monitor our energy use anyway.

[Gazzas86]

I didnt have a choice ref. Smart Meter, It's an independent new build, moved in last week and already had smart meters installed.

[BMR]

I work for one of the energy firms we can't fit smart meters with solar at moment but have been told to replan any appts for after June as they will be compatible then.

Fyi I believe the meter works fine with solar, it's just that combined with the optional smart energy monitor the monitor will give you misleading information.

If you need to know any more feel free to pm me.