Which electric meters go backwards

In the evening and after the sun goes down your solar panels are no longer producing, so you use those credits that were generated earlier. At the end of each billing period your local utility provider pays you for net excess generation at the specific rate outlined in their buyback agreement. Payments are given to you via a credit on your monthly bill for that period, and excess credits can be carried forward to future bills.

Plus, to encourage their customers to go solar, the CPS Energy Solar Rebate Program offers a one-time cash rebate which can be used toward the cost of a new solar power system.

Another common solar buyback scenario involves two separate electricity meters — A standard meter for measuring the power you consume from the grid, plus a second meter for measuring the solar power your panels generate and send into the grid.

As of April , the VoS credit is worth 9. You are billed for the total energy use of your home under the residential tiered rate structure, and then that bill is reduced by the VoS credit.

If this credit is bigger than your electric bill in a given month, the remaining credit rolls over to the next month as long as the account remains open. Like CPS Energy, there is also an available solar rebate from Austin Energy to encourage homeowners to install solar power systems and put clean energy into their grid.

Much of the state of Texas falls under deregulated energy territories, which means you the consumer have the ability to choose from which Retail Electricity Provider REP you purchase your energy. When it comes to solar, a handful of REPs have implemented programs that allow you to spin your meter backwards from excess solar energy production.

You can visit Power To Choose to learn more about the renewable energy buyback programs available in your zipcode, or give Alba Energy a call at and speak with our knowledgeable solar staff.

Their estimated was way off the actual reading. On further investigation our meter is now running backwards!! We dont have solar power or any other elecricity generating means. About 18 months ago we had a new consumer unit fitted with new tails to the meter from the main incoming fuse.

I wondered whether this had been wired incorrectly. Is this correct? Anybody any ideas what is going on? Would mis wiring a meter make it run backwards even? They are coming to have a look in a fortnight but just wondered whether anybody has any ideas? Its very wierd Notify me about replies to my post Post Reply. TheScullster Contact options for registered users.

Reply to TheScullster. Is it not part of the basic PV installer training to warn people that this will be the case with analogue style meters, and that they will need to inform their energy company that they will require an upgrade? There does not seem to be a recognition within the FiT payment suppller that this is an issue. Which is curious given that they will potentially be losing out on revenue if they supply your power too. So, take the situation of a PV owner running an analogue meter for years before their energy supplier twigs.

Will the householder be liable for paying back the actual amount of electricity they have used from the grid but not paid for?

Or is it the responsibility of the FiT payment suppler to check the meter type? But if the FiT payment supplier is not the energy supplier, then there is no incentive there either? I've attached below an extract from the Energy Saving Trust website which I assume is definitive, accurate and up-to-date but I can't be certain because the EST is a Quango.

The clause about Export Tariff is relevant. If you are eligible to receive FITs you will benefit in three ways: Generation tariff : your energy supplier will pay you a set rate for each unit or kWh of electricity you generate.

Once your system has been registered, the tariff levels are guaranteed for the period of the tariff up to 20 years and are index-linked. Export tariff: you will get a further 4. This rate is the same for all technologies.

The amount you save will vary depending how much of the electricity you use on site. The two pras below are from the Energy Saving Trust website and should be up-to-date definitive and accurate however the EST is a Quango so I could be wrong.

Generation tariff : your energy supplier will pay you a set rate for each unit or kWh of electricity you generate. When a PV system is commissioned a G83 form is sent by the installer to the DNO the DNO owns incoming supply meter and all of the grid infrastructure and they are aware of their own make and model of meter fitted at the property, there is a question on the form which asks 'does meter need replacing' and the installer ticks the box.

By law the installer has 28 days after commissioning to submit this form, after submission it is up to the DNO to replace any incompatible meter, and until they do it is there loss. Ultimately if you have used a reputable installation company then they will have filled out the correct paperwork within the rules laid out by MCS, and you dont need to worry, just enjoy your double bubble.

I saw my meter going backwards quite by accident and informed British Gas metering in May, shortly after my solar PV install. They agreed to replace the meter free of charge, but not until the end of August.

However they offered no solution to how I should be billed in the interim. Eventually they accepted that they could not estimate my usage, so agreed to use the last known 'good' meter reading I'd taken in April, effectively giving me free electricity for 4 months.

I'm just waiting to hear back from a manager to confirm I'm going to get another 2 months free electricity. My view on all this is that it is the supplier's equipment therefore their responsibility. I have acted promptly and in good faith throughout. Further, there is no way of them accurately knowing what proportion of electricity I have generated vs.

I had my pv installed 20 August. The installers said that I might see meter going backwards but not to worry about it. I had two web chats with edf who just said that they would note it. I still did not think that was correct and when I spoke to a human being I was told that I needed a new meter installed as I was breaking the law. I have it arranged for thurs 12 sept. All they were interested in was repeating telling me that I was breaking the law.

I voluntary contacted them within 2 days of installation which I think is very good. I keep hearing of People not even contacting the energy supplier or not doing anything for years. I just wanted it sorted and not be charged back dated bills. I believe Debbie see above is squeaky clean both legally and morally and EDF are being heavy-handed in suggesting that she may be breaking the law. I think the onus is on them to ensure that her consumption is being measured and billed correctly.

The MCS Microgeneration Certification Scheme lays out a procedure to standardise all aspects of PV installations, including technology, safety and documentation. This is complicated stuff though and I don't think the end customer has any responsibility to understand it or even to know of its existence. Many people never look at their electricity meter and I don't believe they are required to. This is all speculation though. What we still lack is any clear guidance as to what the law requires.