Solar Panels do not reduce Electricity Usage significantly - Confused

[Gary K]

Is it not the case that once reverse energy has been detected, this message(RED)is added to the meter cycle as it goes through the various meter rates and continues to show indefinately. I have it showing, even after dark?

 

[Barry White]

Is it not the case that once reverse energy has been detected, this message(RED)is added to the meter cycle as it goes through the various meter rates and continues to show indefinately. I have it showing, even after dark?

I believe you are correct as the meters are designed to detect reverse energy and will stay like this unless reset. Its a foolhardy attempt to stop meter fiddling. If you have solar or wing etc ignore it.

 

[Gavin A]

Is it not the case that once reverse energy has been detected, this message(RED)is added to the meter cycle as it goes through the various meter rates and continues to show indefinately. I have it showing, even after dark?

correct

 

[Rincewindwiz]

Various comments

rolyberkin:
1. Fascinating. Wonder why you got so much and I get little. I only do washing during the day (and usually sunny days so it can hang in the garden.) Dont do washing even in the evenings even in the winter.

Only 1 of me so I dont use the dishwasher that much.

I agree entirely with the plan for solar iboost (or similar). Be interesting to see what additional savings that brings

Soms: Yes, I agree the with the approach of maximising the use of the energy I generate. Afterall, its effectively free!

Winter Generation.
Nov - March I generated about 600Kwh (assuming generation meter started at 0)
March to November I generated about 3000kwh
Thats about 3.5 times more in summer month than winter month.

 

[Gavin A]

I really would be checking for something being switched on in the house that shouldn't be as that's the most likely explanation of this situation.

Turn everything off that you're aware of as well as the solar pv system, and time the time between flashes on the LED on your incoming meter. Each flash is one watt hour, so from that you can calculate the power draw. Then you can run through turning each circuit off one at a time until you find which circuit was still drawing more power than you'd have expected, then investigate everything on that circuit until you find the culprit.

 

[Rincewindwiz]

Gavin: Sounds an excellent plan. May take a day or so but I will report back.

So a quick look says currently (2 PCs, TV and 5 or 6 lights) I get 3 flashes in 15 seconds so that is 1 watt hour every 5 seconds. I seem to have too many time units here so how do I turn this into Kw used?

 

[HandySparks]

I get 3 flashes in 15 seconds so that is 1 watt hour every 5 seconds. I seem to have too many time units here so how do I turn this into Kw used?

So that would be 12 flashes (Wh) in a minute, x 60 = 720Wh in an hour. ie 720W, or 0.72kW.

 

[LeeH]

Energy meters with a graphical display are very cheap!

Maybe get one and you'll have real time information on what's on.

 

[Rincewindwiz]

So that would be 12 flashes (Wh) in a minute, x 60 = 720Wh in an hour. ie 720W, or 0.72kW.

Right. Got it. Thanks

Energy meters with a graphical display are very cheap!

So I googled. The first (Smappee) was £300. Then I stuck UK in the search string and got a pile of smart meters. What would you suggest?

 

[LeeH]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122310799461

 

[GOGreenRenewable]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/122310799461

that looks great but it does say not designed for homes with Solar PV installed.

 

[whinmoor]

Solar monitoring | Green Energy Options (geo) - http://www.geotogether.com/products/solar-monitoring/