Generating more then EON's computers allow

[finchy]

Had a email from a customer after chasing EON for the FIT payment and threatening to cut them off....they have now said the amount generated is too high. My customer is blaming me for installing a system that is too efficient this is from a BBQ summer......

 

[SolarCity]

You're kidding, surely?

 

[finchy]

serious ! They didn't actually pay the amount my customer told them, he generated 620 for the quarter and there system came up with 547 (which is what they paid the FIT on).


My customers system is 7 Sanyo HIT 250 with SMA 1700 facing south at 35 Degrees.

 

[SolarCity]

If I were your customer, I would be sending a very firm letter stating that I would be demanding the payment in full or to expect to be taken to court. E.On haven't got a leg to stand on.

 

[pcollins]

Whatever the energy suppliers are using to guestimate the output isn't right. I've had several customers say that their supplier have asked for pics of the generation meter as the generation is showing so high. But nothing like this. Hope there is nothing hidden in their small print, although if there was I'm sure it would be considered an unfair term in the eyes of the law.

Only other thing is to make sure the gen meter is sealed in case of a visit from supplier.

Would be interested to hear the outcome.

 

[SolarCity]

We've had installations that have exceeded SAP calculations by as much as 1,400kWh (!). Not had a problem with those yet.

 

[Eco Deal]

I had this from british gas but they accept a picture of the meter reading.

 

[JulianC]

My partner phoned his reading through to British Gas a couple of weeks ago and was told it was 11% higher than expected. They still paid up though.

You can generally lump the Big 6 in with banks and government as prime representatives of society's greedy, immoral underbelly. T***ers the lot of 'em.

 

[FB.]

serious ! They didn't actually pay the amount my customer told them, he generated 620 for the quarter and there system came up with 547 (which is what they paid the FIT on).


My customers system is 7 Sanyo HIT 250 with SMA 1700 facing south at 35 Degrees.

I must admit it sounds like a lot for one quarter.
Most of the 3.5-4kWp systems in Cambs (even the Sanyo's) are struggling to make that in a three month period at the moment because the weather is so cloudy, so I'm not surprised that a half-sized system is being queried.

The local "Maize Maze" which is an annual attraction for kids in the holidays is looking like it'll be a flop. The maize is usually getting close to 6-8ft tall high by now (and the Maze opens in a week's time!) but this year it looks like it's only 2-4ft tall due to severe lack of sun. Many of the local plants are very sick too: leaves are yellow (or brown and dead) rather than green. Many trees have died - including two of my several-year-old apple trees.

Where is the system located?

Met Office data here:
Met Office: UK mapped climate averages

 

[caldymark]

Hi finchy,

We generated 1290 kWh in the three month period from 1st March to 1st June 2012. May was an exceptionally sunny month.

The system comprises 15 REW Premium 240W panels (Nominal 3.6 kWp but claimed to have positive tolerance of +7% to +12% giving expected 3.92kWp from the system) set on a 22.5 degrees roof pitch, angled at 10 degrees East of South and feeding a Sunny Boy 4000TL-20 inverter.

I have calculated the equivalent output for our system for the three months including May based on the ratio of the two system kWp figures and got 575 kWh. This is about 8% below the 620kWh that EON disputed but above their calculated figure of 547kWh. Our roof angle is very shallow and below the optimum, so could easily account for the difference in output between our systems.

I had a look at Ofgem's document on their website:- "Feed in Tariff Scheme: Guidance for Licensed Electricity Suppliers" and found the paragraph 2.13.iv) in the section "Responsibility on all FIT Licensees" which states:-

2.13.iv) taking all reasonable steps to acquire Generation Meter Readings and satisfy themselves that these Generation Meter Readings are reasonable and within Expected Tolerances for that particular Installation (see Chapter 7); and if applicable, Export Meter Readings at least once every two years (see Chapter 7);

So, I understand where EON are coming from. However, they are clearly being unreasonable and may need help to understand this. The Ofgem website offers an email address: [email protected] and a telephone number 020 7901 7290, so they may be able to provide guidance with dispute resolution.

Good luck.

 

[moggy1968]

If they are using SAP then that would explain it. SAP underestimates by 20-30% in our area on the south coast

 

[FB.]

If they are using SAP then that would explain it. SAP underestimates by 20-30% in our area on the south coast

The South Coast is an exceptionally sunny area, with 20-30% more annual sunshine hours than areas such as central England (where SAP was calculated).
Most coastal areas see much greater than average amounts of sunshine (and often low-lying areas).
Many higher-altitude and NorthWestern areas usually see much less sunshine. With the atlantic jet stream hundreds of miles off its usual course (hence the constant string of low-pressure battering England), the weather is very unusual this year, with the weather patterns in some areas completely turned upside down (as I mentioned: the maize crop here in my area this year is a complete failure as it's been duller and wetter than ever recorded - normally we can easily grow maize, outdoor grapes, outdoor figs and other sun-dependent plants)

Met Office: UK mapped climate averages

 

[moggy1968]

just as a point of order, SAP is calculated based on sunlight in Sheffield I believe.
Thats Northern england, not central. I know, I grew up there!:wink_smile: