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House not Using Solar Power

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 9:37 am
by James
We had 11 solar panels and a F SERIES (G2) inverter fitted (no battery) just over a month ago. We have just received our latest electricity bill and it says that we have used the same amount of power as the previous month when we had no solar panels. Our lifestyles have not changed over the two months and the Fox app shows that plenty of energy has been generated by the panels - see screenshot:
IMG_1759.PNG
The new meter shows the following:
IMG_1757.jpg
I don't know if it's relevant but the app only shows the energy being generated by the panels, it doesn't show the load or grid values:
IMG_1760.PNG
Does anyone know what is going on? It seems that we are not actually using the energy that is being generated.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Re: House not Using Solar Power

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 12:24 pm
by Dave Foster
Something not right about this, the inverters generation would cover house load first (so less used from the grid) and then any spare would go to the grid as export - and looking at your solar generation you should have been exporting as well, I assume you do have a smart meter ?

If you do have a smart meter your export wouldn't be picked up by the normal import meter - but you would expect to see a reduction in import (unless your daytime use is very low compared to night time).

A smart meter has an export meter but you need to apply to your supplier to get an export MPAN number and have this added to you account which can take several weeks, once done it will thereafter be read by them - so your bill will then have your electricity import meter (as now), an electricity export meter (new).

The real question is why hasn't your consumption reduced, if you daytime use is low you might not be easily able to tell if it's only a kW or 2, but you should have seen some power exported.
Even if the smart meters 'export meter' isn't being read you should still be able to access it by scrolling through the settings on your smart meter - and this should be counting up every day - if it isn't then your installation really does need to be checked, if it is - make sure you have applied for your export MPAN so you can sell it.

Just as a FYI on the house load, with the F series unless you fit an optional CT clamp to it, it cannot measure load - only what it generates, so if this is something you want you will need to ask your installer to fit the optional clamp.

Re: House not Using Solar Power

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 12:35 pm
by James
Thanks Dave, much appreciated. We don't have a smart meter.

Re: House not Using Solar Power

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 12:56 pm
by Dave Foster
James wrote: Fri Sep 06, 2024 12:35 pm Thanks Dave, much appreciated. We don't have a smart meter.
Hopefully on a sunny day your meter should be spinning backwards ?

Re: House not Using Solar Power

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 1:10 pm
by James
Nope. It's been sunny this morning - see screenshot - but the original meter is increasing
IMG_1763.PNG

Re: House not Using Solar Power

Posted: Fri Sep 06, 2024 2:16 pm
by Dave Foster
James wrote: Fri Sep 06, 2024 1:10 pm Nope. It's been sunny this morning - see screenshot - but the original meter is increasing

IMG_1763.PNG
Hmmm, the very old meters would go backwards with export, the Fox system stats show it's exporting - I think you need to get your meter replaced with a smart meter as soon as you can, they might do it quicker if you tell them you have installed solar :)