Smart meters offer a number of benefits, including providing you with extra control over how much energy you’re consuming and, therefore, the size of your energy bills. Solar panels are another piece of technology that can help you to minimise your energy bills, so let’s explore how they can work in conjunction with one another.
What Are Smart Meters?
Smart meters automatically keep track of how much electricity and gas you are using regardless of where your energy is coming from. To do this, this smart technology measures the voltage and flow at frequent intervals, which is the information used to calculate both your average and your overall usage. Smart meters then display this information on the screen in ways that are easy to see, even at a glance.
With a smart meter installed, there’s no need to take manual readings as this information will be automatically passed to your energy supplier. This also has the added advantage of ensuring that you are being billed for the energy you are actually using and not via an estimate that may be inaccurate.
So, Can You Have a Smart Meter With Solar Panels?
Yes, you can have a smart meter with solar panels and, in many cases, this is something that solar panel providers will actively recommend. Here at Green Flare, we install top-of-the-range Fox solar inverters, which have data loggers and monitoring systems built in. This means you can monitor the performance and energy output of your solar panels directly from your phone and, if an issue were to arise, diagnose and remedy the problem swiftly and efficiently.
If you have a solar panel system installed which is producing energy that is being channelled into the National Grid, your smart meter may display a reverse energy detected message. This message occurs when your solar panel system is producing higher amounts of electricity than you currently require.
So, with a smart meter solar panels can actually help you to earn money from the solar energy you are producing via a scheme known as the Smart Export Guarantee or SEG.
What is the Smart Export Guarantee?
The SEG is a renewable energy initiative that is backed by the government and was set up in January 2020. This initiative requires every medium and large energy supplier in the UK with upwards of 150,000 customers to pay households for the energy that they are channelling into the National Grid from solar panel systems.
Every energy company that has a SEG licence will have its own rates that it will pay for energy from solar panel systems, with most companies paying between 2p and 5p for every kWh that is fed back into the National Grid. However, it is worth noting that prices vary depending on demand, so if you export energy during peak hours between 4 pm and 7 pm when the country’s energy demand is higher, you could be paid more money per kWh than if you were to export energy between 2 am and 5 am.
So, the amount of money you can expect to make depends on the rates your energy company pays for energy and the amount of energy you are funnelling back into the national supply.
How Does a Smart Meter Work With Solar Panels?
It wasn’t too long ago that to successfully feed energy back into the National Grid required something called an export meter. However, now smart meters are equipped to perform this role and can help you to keep a record of the energy you are exploring and ensure that you are being compensated fairly.
You will need a new generation smart meter in order to monitor your energy usage and the surplus energy your solar PV system is generating, both of which are done in real-time and will allow you to understand your personal usage patterns and ensure you are keeping your energy bills to a minimum.
Can You Have Solar Panels Without a Smart Meter?
The answer to the question ‘do you need a smart meter for solar panels’ is no, but as we have explored above, there are a number of reasons why you might want to consider integrating one into your system.
If you are considering installing a solar PV system to experience the numerous benefits that come from investing in renewable energy solutions, make sure you contact an experienced installation company like Green Flare whose experts can talk you through the whole process, ensure that your system can meet your energy needs, and even help you to make some extra money using the SEG initiative.
The Advantages of Getting a Smart Meter
So, now that we’ve covered smart meters and solar panels in a bit more depth, let’s end by recapping why, with the help of a smart meter, solar panels can offer a range of unique benefits.
With a Smart Meter Solar Panels Can Save You Time and Money
Smart meters remove the need to take and send manual meter readings to your energy supplier as this information is sent automatically. Additionally, your energy supplier will simply bill you for the energy you have used, rather than send out estimates that could be inaccurate.
Control Your Energy Consumption
As smart meters display your average and total amounts of energy consumption, you are better equipped with the information you need to keep an eye on how much you’re using and the size of your bills.
Make Money From Your Solar PV System
If your solar panel system is generating more energy than you need, you can make some extra money by exporting excess energy back into the National Grid. Your smart meter will monitor how much energy you are exporting, which will allow you to ensure that you are being fairly compensated by your energy company.
To discuss renewable options for your home or business, get in touch with a member of our team today. We’re more than happy to help.
Comments