Smart Tariff Unit Rates

Sorry to be clear. It's the signign up to the tariff is the issue.

No option to select d/n anywhere during plan selection or sign up when going through https://www.bordgaisenergy.ie/home/our-plans

I've just had a solar PV system installed. My meter is the line that was installed when my house was built in 2000, so I'm guessing it's not a smart meter. My system send unused electricity which is generated by the PV solar panels to the grid. Do I need a smart meter to be paid for this electricity? If so, which company is the best to go with?

Thanks

Forgetting Solar PV and EV's for a second, why are you not using a d/n tariff as is? Having a heat pump usually means you should be on a d/n tariff.

Ultimately the answer to your questions are very specific to you and your house. Lots of variables are at play that are unique to you so no one can give you a definitive answer except yourself, so you have to measure your usage and then make a call on it.

You should have the heat pump doing the bulk of its water heating at night and shift a bit of the space heating to early morning (before night rate ends). Then adding SolarPV (reducing your day usage) and adding an EV (increasing night usage) should massively swing your overall usage to night rather than day (e.g. 60:40 for night:day). You would then be massively better off on a d/n tariff rather than a 24hr tariff.

Your specific questions..

1. To avoid the smart meter in the medium term you simply ask for a d/n tariff now, before you get offered a smart meter. That will still keep you eligible for FiT and it will cost you nothing to get that done.... just ask your provider and they organise it with ESB Networks.
2. I don't understand your logic. A heat pump usually means a d/n tariff is the right choice, not the wrong choice. You will have slightly more expensive day rate electricity but half price night electricity and an extra €70 or so standing charge.... overall it should be cheaper to be on d/n tariff with a heat pump... but maybe you have really low usage due to an A-rated house... again, you need the stats from your house to know for sure.
3. In theory the smart meters are a great idea. However, the evil is that the providers are not offering competitive rates on smart tariffs relative to the d/n tariffs. Its unclear why they are doing that, but that is the current situation.

Dunno giw useful that is tbh. Requires a lot of planning and saving up leccy to be used. My missus would not want to pile up the washing anyways. Tough enough waiting for night time.

Thanks for sharing.

Has me wondering now what else are we missing by trusting bonkers/switcher.

Why does it not show it?

Free time Saturday sounds pretty attractive. Up to 100kWh a month from 9-5 on a Sat or Sun. Sounds like a great deal for those with EVs to charge.

Seems the only thing missing on that deal is a FIT price.

Feed In Tarif.

I'd agree. Sounds better on paper. We've an EV with a short range so can't leave the charging all until 1 day a week. And doing all the washing and drying on a Sat doesn't sound like a chilled weekend. And a wash is only 1-2kwh give or take.

I bet anything the provider worked out average usage on a Sat and offered it as know most people wont have heavy usage. Same principle as some companies that offer unlimited holidays for staff. Majority of staff don't take more.

For those with heat pumps it might be worth doing the maths on it. Or large EVs that don't do huge range and can get to low % during week. Or veryyyy large house batteries.

Tis a personal choice of course. But a 'free day a week' sounds better on paper I reckon.

For me, its about switching to ANY of the providers giving fit payment on my export. I know its a tiny gesture but I'll be leaving EI and BG have no fit either so feck them.

Now I know EI has not stated what their FIT will be but I did notice there is no reason now not to switch to their "Home Dual+ Night Boost" smart plan vs "Electricity NightSaver & Gas" (normal day/night meter + gas) as unit rates and standing charges are identical on both but the smart plan has the advantage of a cheaper Night Boost kWh rate between 02:00 - 04:00 everyday

I don't. Its going to get very messy if they owe you money and you change to a new provider in between FiT payments. If they do a balancing statement when you leave and its all automated then that would be fine but I bet they'll make a mess of that.

I think Electric Ireland are planning to pay your FiT on each bill. I like that better.

purevolt.ie now stating that EI will pay 14c CEG. how Energia can get away with paying nearly ½ of current market trend.. I guess they're playing a different game..

Didn't think of that. Yeah, monthly much cleaner.

Though I was out of contract this month but it's October. Hopefully all the fit details and plans will be clearer by then.

@Jonathon The lower (rumored) FIT hurts the Energia, I used 8c. You could probably eek some more out of this by using more of the night rate from 11 instead of 2. A bigger battery setup may help too.

The Energia rate I used included a 16% affinity discount -- not sure what that is or what hoops need threading...

I'm also expecting a rate increase from Energia in the next little while -- Really a little surprised only a couple (2?) of suppliers have jumped so far this round.

*** Remember this is my solar data and my load data. It will be different for others ***

I have a relative that uses them and I pointed out the difference they could save and was told they didn't have time to look around. No looking involved! I also have another one who works in the public sector so will support the public sector ESB and wouldn't even entertain moving from Electric Ireland who they are with all their lives, 37+ years on the same Tarif. So un- informed, stupid or god knows what.....

I looked this morning to see the EV rates. Clear as mud. No indication as to how the rate increase impacts existing plans.

Not a good sign methinks...