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Microgenerator's Smart Meter

  • 02-11-2012 8:47am
    #1
    paikea
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 83 ✭✭


    Question for the microgenerators here: How does the smart meter currently balances out production and consumption (import/export)?

    What I mean is if I decide to install solar panels the electricity will all be generated during day light hours when there is nobody at home (with just the fridge consuming energy) and the higher usage happening at night time. This is just an example. I am not trying to be precise at all here and I am not considering the use of batteries/storage/redirection.

    So if, for example, the solar panels generate 1kw during the day and I consume 1kw during the night will the smart meter balance the import/export and zero it out or will it consider these values separately at import (18.3c?) and export (9c?) rates?


Comments

  • #2
    freddyuk
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,113 ✭✭✭freddyuk


    I am afraid you use it or lose it. Whatever you don't use you export for 9c until even that is scrapped. There is no bonus for generating and not using it. You can get an energy monitor/ manager which can automatically switch on appliances, heaters, immersions etc to use the free power during the day which is saving you buying back at 18c.
    PM me if you want more details.


  • #3
    quentingargan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,627 ✭✭✭quentingargan


    Solar PVs really should get a premium over wind in these situations because they always produce electricity at a time when it is in higher demand.

    I would forget batteries as an option. The cost of cycling batteries is about 11c per KwHr by my calculations. It is more profitable to sell to ESB for 9c and buy back for 16c than to do that.

    At present, solar PVs in Ireland only make sense if you have a high daytime consumption of power. Many businesses, supermarkets, hotels, restaurants etc. would have a profile that would favour PVs. Especially if power is also consumed on Saturday and Sunday.

    PVs also make a lot of sense for meeting the renewable energy requirements of Part L for apartments, where solar thermal is both costly and inefficient.


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