Connecting PV to the grid - export meter?

freddyuk

I asked for confirmation that it was no longer the case you were required to install an import /export meter now that the financial incentives have been scrapped. The meters were free for the early adopters but then a charge was introduced which was in the region of €250 which may have put some off installing. Clearly Electric Ireland/ESB needed a certified export figure to pay the credits due on exported power to which they both contributed.This no longer happens for new installations.
ESB Networks confirm there is no requirement to install a meter only to follow the guidelines and complete the NC6 form notifying them of the details.
Electric Ireland (thanks Dave) refer me to ESB for clarification on this so it seems we are clear there is no requirement thus saving on installation costs.
It would be prudent to have a record of exported power so a meter would be useful but not a requirement. Total generation amounts will be stored on your inverter unless you have a simple generation meter installed as part of your system.

jathclare

Its €350 for the import/export meter. I sent in my cheque in November, still no sign of ESB to install it. They confirmed that my application was in time to make the feed in tariff scheme, but it might be too late now for any new applicants. Lots of certifications needed too before they will accept the application. Serious hassle for a paltry .09 per unit of clean energy.

quentingargan

I generally found that the charge for an export meter was €340.

Originally a smart meter was required, but provided free. However, there is no justification for requiring a smart meter to enable power to be exported. In the UK, Offgem approved meters for measuring power produced are available for roughly £20, and for a small 1kw system costing €1500 or so, a €340 meter was an unnecessary burden.

If the authorities want smart meters for other reasons (demand side management, multi-tier pricing etc.) then we should all have them, but I already have someone calling to my door to read my meter, who could just as easily read two meters. I don't see why, because I have a microgeneration system, I should have to pay for the cost of a smart meter providing numerous other functions that are not currently required.

I raise this because there is a wide expectation that a feed in tariff will be introduced in the next year or so. To my mind, if it is, paying for a meter to measure the export is fine, but not one of these deluxe models.

freddyuk

jathclare wrote: »

Its €350 for the import/export meter. I sent in my cheque in November, still no sign of ESB to install it. They confirmed that my application was in time to make the feed in tariff scheme, but it might be too late now for any new applicants. Lots of certifications needed too before they will accept the application. Serious hassle for a paltry .09 per unit of clean energy.

That's odd because the only certification required is the inverter and then a certificate for the installation from the qualified electrician. What else are you being asked for presuming it is PV using NC6 form?

quentingargan

That NC6 process is a bit of a joke. For example, you are asked for the serial number of the inverter, even though you are asking for permission to connect. So you're meant to buy the inverter, and then ask for permission to use it??

In practice most of that info is not required. But it is a bit of a hoo-ha for a mere 9c.

freddyuk

I know I queried this at the time and discovered there was a total lack of interest or concern about the potential for dodgy installations with dodgy kit. We discussed the wonderful "Irish specific settings" which were also a joke for a half hearted effort to encourage micro generation. I cannot see any FIT scheme being an economic windfall and I am sure early adopters will be excluded if it follows the UK example (unless you install a completely new system). Personally I am making sure my on site management is as good as it can be.