Electricity meter

Hi guys

Ive been to a couple of customers houses who have a pv system installed, and who are both complaining that there bills don't go down. Ive checked out their systems and they all seem like they are performing well, but what bugs me is there incoming electricity meter is the one with dials (like you find in your car milometer) Both customers moan like hell because the dials dont go backwards when the sytem is generating electricity, unlike their old spinning disc meter.

Why is this the case? How do these meters work exactly. When the pv system is generating electricity, shouldnt the dials go backwords? confuses the hell out of me.

Do you know the make/model of the meters? You mention their old spinning disc meter - was that changed to the mechanical dial meter because PV was being installed?

Dials shouldn't go backwards. Meters whose dials actually go backwards should be replaced. (by the supplier, foc)

The 'old' spinning meters some did, in that case they were not just using the power and exporting it they were effectively aslo getting a 'double credit' when exported, as they would then have to use up the backward amount just to get to 'null'

They get paid 1) to generate and 2) deemed export, i.e assumed 50% of generated. and then on top of that they can use all that they are generating AT THE TIME THEY GENERATE IT for free, nada, zilch..

So if the meter goes backward for every 1kWh that it goes backward they are 'stealing' 1kWh from their supplier.

Later spinning disc meters have a ratchet on the numbers so the disc goes backward but the numbers don't so nothing is being 'stolen'

Some of the newer electronic meters, can also detect reverese flow i.e. when exporting and will come up with an 'red' message = Reverse Energy Detected - what you'd expect, and some have multiple register to actually record the export.

See attached image - meter even has a (I've highlighted it) ratchet symbol on it to tell you

If they are not saving what they expect they probably haven;t changed their consumption habits, i.e. learn to put the dishwasher on at say 10:30 and the washing machine at 2pm (on sunny days of course )

How long have these customers had solar panels? If they've only had them for a few months, then they are unlikely to see much change in their electricity bills just yet. At this time of year, the days are so short that the panels will not start generating until people have gone to work, and will have stopped generating when they get back home - the real savings come during the summer when the panels will still be generating when most people are at home (e.g. evening) and electricity consumption is the highest. Of course, if there are people in during the day (home workers, child carers, retired etc.) then there will be additional savings.

you need to fill in a form (cant remember which) using values on the "Generation meter"

then send the values off every month or so.



if it was done by someone who hasnt done the course then they wont get the tarrif at all.

Cheers chaps, that clears it up.

If they are in during the day then offer them a monitor which measures generation and usage. They will be able to see when they are generating surplus and know to do the hoovering, put the washing machine on etc. They will also be able to see what the house is using and may encourage them to reduce usage when they are not generating.

OWL, Eco Eye and Wattson all do products like this.

Eco eye seems to be the best value and better accuracy one, a number of our customers use them - Search for Wattson and you'll see lots of issues with them on this forum, Similarly Owl doesn't have the greatest reputation for accuracy. Eco-Eye Products and Online Store

Thanks Worcester - I posted a question yesterday about Wattson and another user recommended Eco Eye which I am just looking in to. I remembered something on here about Wattson buy couldn't find the posts.

It (Eco Eye) certainly seems to fit the bill, so as it now comes recommened, i think I will give it a try.

Sorry for hijacking!

Eco-Eye seems reasonably priced for what it is to be honest. We offer the Greenologic Elios4You platform as our monitoring solution for single-phase installs. Android or iOS GUI, true voltage reference from the grid, kWh generation and import/export CTs and bolt-on options for wireless control capabilities of rads, sockets, spurs as well as wireless proportional immersion control - all available in the next couple of weeks as scalable upgrades to the base monitoring platform. Can operate independent of a WLAN but can also be hooked up to client's wireless to allow access to internet portal (4-Cloud) if required. More info on our website or on Greenologic's