In the process of getting solar panels installed and a battery for my home, I am.
My first generation smartmeter needs to be updated to the second generation in order to power my battery using a nighttime cheap energy tariff. I also need Smart Export Guarantee payments to cover any surplus electricity that I produce.
My energy supplier EDF is not allowing me to use this option at the moment.
Second, it is difficult to find nighttime rates that don’t require me to own an electric car.
Although I do my best for the environment and my wallet, I feel that I am hitting brick walls.
Also, I’m not sure if I should get an electric car for Octopus Go or EDF. Please advise. Via email
Uncertain if solar panels can be installed to reduce carbon emissions. However, one consumer has tried to do so but is having trouble.
Grace Gausden of This Is Money replies: Constantly, we are told to modify our daily lives to benefit the environment.
Switching to a green tariff is one way to save money on our energy bills. You can also install solar panels or storage batteries to make it more sustainable.
While it may be more costly initially, the cost should end up being much lower over the long term.
It is a great thing that you have taken on the initial costs to make a difference for the Earth. But, you are being made more difficult by your energy provider.
EDF won’t allow you to switch from your first-generation smart meter (also known as SMETS1 or SMETS2) to the second generation, which is called SMETS2.
Many suppliers refuse to sell older models because of this problem. They want to know how they are being used, before giving them away.
This is despite many SMETS1 meters going ‘dumb’ – or losing all functionality – after customers have switched suppliers.
Smart meters give energy suppliers accurate information about how much electricity the solar panel systems are sending to the National Grid.
This will allow customers to maximize their payments via the Smart Export Garanty (SEG).
While first-generation meters had their troubles with solar panel connection, the second generation are fully compatible – which is why you need one.
SEG allows small-scale generators to be paid by electricity suppliers, such as homes equipped with solar panels. The SEG scheme also requires them to export low-carbon electricity back to National Grid provided they meet certain criteria.
This is however not available if EDF does not upgrade your smart meters.
This is Money contacted EDF to learn more.
“We are aware that SMETS1 meters may not be able to reach the full benefits of smart meter because the meter is not connected to the network.
“Rather than replacing them, the industry has begun to enroll SMETS1 meters on the network.
“This is what has happened to the majority of EDF customers. We are working with industry partners to make sure any legacy smart meters customers have their meters registered as quickly as possible.
EDF states that eventually your existing meter can be upgraded to track excess energy from your home for the National Grid.
However, there is no way to know when it will occur so you might consider speaking with other suppliers of energy to find out if they can install SMETS2 meters at your home to expedite the process.
For solar panel homes to be functional, they will require second-generation smart meters.
A storage battery is also an option when installing solar panels.
The majority of electricity produced by panels goes to waste because the solar energy produces the most power during the days when there’s more sunlight and people are less likely to have to use it.
This is where batteries come in. They store solar energy so that customers can access it later.
A number of companies have now designed these batteries, which can be attached to the home, with prices varying from as little as £2,000 to as much as £10,000.
If you want to run solar panels or storage battery efficiently, look for a low-cost night-time electricity tariff. Many suppliers will charge less than they do daytime plans.
However, you may find it difficult to do so due to ongoing energy crises.
The wholesale costs of goods and services have increased dramatically, causing half the supply chains to fail. This has led to rising energy prices for consumers.
Electric vehicle owners often use night-time electricity tariffs because they provide cheaper electricity when it is most convenient to charge their vehicles.
The charging of an electric vehicle places significant demands on the grid. Energy companies encourage owners to charge their cars at lower times.
However, it can be difficult to figure out if an electric vehicle will allow you access to one of these tariffs.
EDF, your current supplier and one of the only firms to offer electric tariffs, says its GoElectric tariff is exclusive to electric vehicle owners.
Customers who don’t own an electric car can still get the Economy 7 tariff. This provides several hours of lower energy costs throughout the night.
Although the price cap on energy has been increasing rapidly in recent months, these tariffs remain subject to it.
Because of the higher electricity consumption, any quoted cost you receive based on usage might also appear higher. These tariffs are frequently used by owners of electric vehicles.
According to Energy Helpline, an Economy 7 meter’s assumed electricity consumption is 4200 kWh. A normal meter would consume 2,900 kWh.
Octopus Energy stated that their Octopus Go Tariff requires an EV because it’s an experiment
Octopus Energy claims that its OctopusGo tariff, which was specifically designed for electric vehicle charging, is available to all drivers.
One spokesperson stated that Octopus Go was an experiment to see if overnight EV chargers can be used on a large scale for grid support in the future.
‘Frustratingly, that does mean consumers without EVs using other low-carbon technologies like batteries, for example, can throw our data-gathering off a bit – and that’s why it’s a requirement to have an electric car to join the tariff.
We love early adopters of futuristic energy concepts.
“To ensure they are recognized for their achievements, we have other great tariffs that don’t need the same EV requirements, such as Agile Octopus or Outgoing Octopus.
Outgoing Octopus works as an export tariff that pays customers differently depending on how much solar power they need.
Customers on Outgoing Octopus get decent rates of power these days due to low renewable energy and rising gas prices.
Some days they can earn more than £2 per kilowatt hour, compared to most other export tariffs which are somewhere between 3-5p per kilowatt hour.
The tariffs that you are interested in seem to be only for electric vehicles. You might be able to find other plans at night from some suppliers, so make sure you do your research.
Visit the Ofgem site to find out about which SEG providers you can use.
It is possible to locate a supplier with a reasonable tariff that can help you achieve your green dreams.