Meter Going Backwards

[Trimglafix]

I have recently (2/6/11) had a 4kw PV system installed. My old electricity meter is now going backwards. I have informed the FIT company of this (via tick box on form) but they have only just sent me a form to sign to complete 'enrolment' into the FIT system. They have made no mention of the reversing meter.
My issue is that I am now changing my electricity supplier to a new one, but I am keeping the old energy supplier as my FIT supplier. Who will this make responsible for the reversing meter?
I guess my new supplier will not like it but may not accept responsibility for changing it & my old supplier won't care because they no longer need to know my meter readings. Should I be contacting the infrastructure supplier in my area direct or is my FIT company likely to eventually change it?
Any advice or comments from others who have had similar experience will be appreciated.
Thanks for reading this.

 

[SolarCity]

I wouldn't let it worry you. You have informed the supplier and that is all you can do. Enjoy the extra benefit while it's there.

 

[Trimglafix]

Thanks for your reply BiggsSolar.
Does that mean that the old supplier is unlikely to estimate my usage to calculate a bill on leaving? Do they just take the reading as it is? Obviously an estimated reading would not work out to my advantage.

 

[dansk]

Mines been like that for over 12 months now! Just give them a meter reading when you swap over.

 

[Trimglafix]

Impressive, dansk. I added 1 unit to my previous reading (given 3 months ago) to get through the online meter read (it would not accept a figure lower than the previous reading). I guess I will just have to give the true reading to my new supplier & deal with the rest in 3 months when the next reading is due. I guess when a company makes so many billions of £'s through easy money, it doesn't worry too much about losing a few hundred of £'s that will be a hassle to sort & collect.

 

[dansk]

They get some of it back over winter anyway! But yes your right - too big to care! not like me.

 

[solar man]

A customer of mine has just had there meter read a week after it was changed to a digital one, the old meter was well over a thousand units less than when we installed it 18 months ago. Over the last twelve they haven't paid for any electricity hence the reason for changing it! meter fitter said they usually agree on a 50/50 split of the difference, meter reader just read the new meter?
Customer is expecting his bill this week will keep you updated.
Ironically we asked for a smart meter set to read export, only to be told the customer would have to pay extra, so just went with a standard meter. customer has informed me that he has received a letter today offering a smart meter for free if he is interested!!!!!!:banghead:

 

[SRE]

I'd heard a rumour - not sure where, that the utilities weren't going to bother changing the meters over because it was too expensive to do that when all the meters were having to be changed to smart meters shortly anyway.

 

[dansk]

Actually thinking about it me too.

 

[Trimglafix]

Thanks for your input Solar Man. I look forward to your update when you know the outcome. I will also post when there are any developments here.
I am certainly now more confident that they don't consider it a big issue. I suppose it is just a simple loss to them as opposed to a fraudulent loss.

 

[pvconnections]

Just sell some power to next door ! enjoy !

 

[meterinst]

interesting. topic

https://sites.google.com/site/meterinst/

 

[Noton1205]

Currently there are no meters out there that will work with import and export metering. If you have an old dial meter that is clocking backwards it needs replacing with a new digital one asap. The old dial one will burn out and could cause a fire. The new digital meter will flash up with rED- reverse energisation.

 

[SolarCity]

The old dial one will burn out and could cause a fire.

Really? This is the first I've heard of it.

 

[Worcester]

Currently there are no meters out there that will work with import and export metering.

That's a bit strong, there are meters that can record both import an export - Landis and Gyr do one and so do others - Just speak to Andy O'Leary at Sibert, and there is no reason why not to fit one of these between the supplier meter and the CU.

If you mean "Currently there are no meters out there 'that have already been installed by the electrcity providers' that will work with import and export metering" then that may be closer to the situation. Though I have seen three this week that can happily do that.

Even some of the new smart meters don't cope properly with reverse flow.

However There ARE meters that can record in both directions, be careful though, some record in both and then add the two together!.

Siemens have a fault in one of their meters that does this by accident, so be careful if there is one of those fitted and you're going to be exporting - you'll get DOUBLE charged on you bill because you exported!


Think we have it tough?

Just been working with one of our German partners, - they have to buy the power they generate! (at a reduced rate though)
So the customer has to decided wether to get paid on 'Total Generated' or 'Total Generated - Consumed', So they have to wire the systems up with 3 meters to measure:
Generated
Incoming Consumed
Exported
And they will calculate Generated - Exported = Generated Consumed

So they buy electricity at €0.22 or buy Generated Consumed at €0.16, can't remember what the Generated or export rates where.

They were astonished that we were allowed to use all that we generate for FREE!!