Do smart meters work with solar panels?

Most importantly, the new smart meters work with solar panels and other photovoltaic systems. They allow the consumer to see exactly how much energy they are using from their solar installations and how much they are importing from the grid. Furthermore, the same is valid for the export of solar energy back to the grid.

Should I add a smart meter to my solar & battery system?

Without a smart meter, your tariff provider won’t know how much energy you’ve sent them, and consequently wouldn’t be able to pay you. The average 4.4kWp solar panel system (plus battery) could earn around £350 each year through a solar export tariff, so adding a smart meter to your solar & battery system is a bit of a no-brainer.

Do I need a solar meter?

Solar-panel owners should have a PV-generation meter that shows how much electricity their system is generating. If you're getting a smart meter installed, make sure that your supplier is aware you have solar panels. Check whether your smart meter and in-home display will work fully with them.

Do you need a smart meter to export solar power?

If you already have solar PV, a smart meter will also tell us when you’re exporting solar power. From this we can see the percentage of solar generation used in your home. If this is low (up to 20%), there’s great potential to use more by investing in a battery.

Could a smart meter save you money on solar?

Without a smart meter, you wouldn't be eligible to sign up for any solar export tariff. This would mean missing out on potentially hundreds of pounds each year, and severely reduce your system’s return on investment - not great, given the high upfront cost of solar panels.

Is a smart meter the same as a solar meter?

Reading a smart meter is the same, regardless of whether you have solar panels as well. Every smart meter comes with a portable, digital screen called an In-Home Display which shows your energy usage at any given time in the day.