Export Meters
Sell Power to the Grid
Are you generating electricity from solar, wind, biomass, or CHP?
If so, you will need an Export Meter
If you want to export electricity to the grid you will need to either adapt your current Half Hourly meter or install a new one.
Export Metering for sending power to the Grid.
Export Meter (Generation Meter)
If your solar installation exceeds 30 kilowatts (kW) you will need an export meter if you want to send power to the grid and get paid for it.
An export meter records how much energy you export to the grid that you don’t use within your home or business. It will provide precise measurements of how much electricity you export and form the basis for a precise tariff to be paid to you.
Are you about to start generating power on your site? If so, you may need an export meter installed to register the value of exported electricity. Your existing meter may be suitable to operate as an import/export meter, but if not, you will require a new meter. You should make this a priority so you can benefit from your power generation immediately your system is brought into service.
The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)
The SEG is a government-initiated export tariff for British businesses who have installed small-scale, renewable, or low carbon technology. It means that licensed electricity suppliers, and mandatory SEG licensee will pay you for every kilowatt hour of eligible electricity your business generates and feeds into the National Grid.
This replaces the export part of the Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) scheme, which closed to new applicants in March 2019.
How do you qualify for the Smart Export Guarantee?
You will qualify if:
- You have installed renewable or low carbon technology in your business
- You have a smart meter, or a meter capable of recording Half – Hourly increments
What types of renewable installations qualify?
The following technologies qualify:
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
Wind
Hydro and Anaerobic Digestion  (AD) up to a capacity of 5MW
The Smart Export Guarantee is also open to Micro-Combined Heat and Power (micro-CHP) up to a capacity of 50kW.
All installations must be accredited by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) or equivalent.
The Energy Action Group provides a full Export Meter installation service
Our service is focussed on Half Hourly Export Meter Operator solutions (MOP) for systems of 30kW and above. Working closely with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), we evaluate your system and the capacity of the local grid to absorb your generation. We can manage the whole process on your behalf.
Get a quote for an Export meter.
Guide to installing export metering for solar PV
There are several routes to obtaining an export meter for your exported power and the easiest, although not the cheapest, tends to be through the installer, or the company that will buy your power. However, these options don’t necessarily serve the exporter the best.
Setting up export metering – what you will need.
Import MPAN
You will need the MPAN of your electricity supply. This 13 digit number can be found on your electricity bill.
Meter Operator & Data Collector
The type of export meter you’ll require will depend upon the declared net capacity (DNC) agreed with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO).
Grid connection
You will need to speak to your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), which is the company that manages the local power distribution network.
You’ll need their approval to connect and export to the grid – this is called your Grid Connection Agreement. They will also be able to raise an export MPAN and ensure you have grid compliance to connect to the electricity network.
Do you need help? Call the EAG for information on Export Meters
MOP Contract
Every electricity meter in the UK has a Meter Operator (MOP). It is the function of the MOP to maintain the meter. This costs anywhere from £160.00 per annum and can be double that, so it pays to shop around. Half hourly meters record energy consumption at half hourly intervals The data is collected by the Data Collector (DC) by means of a communication link, There is a separate annual charge for this.
A Meter Operator (MOP)agreement will need to be signed and a separate agreement for data collection services agreed. Some MOPs will also act as Data Collectors and a single agreement will cover both MOP and DC services. MOP Agreements commonly run for 5 years.
The electricity supplier will notify the MOP as to the type of meter currently installed on the import MPAN.
Export Metering Costs
There are three elements of charges incurred through export metering. Firstly, the cost of the meter itself. This is a single fee to cover the cost of supply and installation.
Secondly, there is an annual MOP cost that covers service and maintenance of the meter itself.
Thirdly, the costs of the Data Collection. The data is provided to your energy supplier so that you may be paid. With the right software you can also access this data.