topic Re: Solar Smart Meters in Solar, Batteries & Electrification

Solar Smart Meters

MarkScarfe — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 11:39:48 GMT

In the next month Im getting the free AGL smart meter installed. When I asked about this a few months ago AGL told me that this would enable my solar to be used as my primary source of energy before it gets sold back to the grid. Without the smart meter it would go to the grid before I get any benefit from my solar. In NSW the generous govt rebate has ended so I need the smartest use of my investment in solar. In the info on the AGL website and in the post there is no mention of solar benefit as Ive explained in having a smart meter. So does having a smart meter enable me to use the energy created from my solar panels first before I draw from the grid?

Re: Solar Smart Meters

BWSS — Tue, 17 Jan 2017 21:17:06 GMT

Morning Mark, I'm in SA so the smart meters 'may' be different here to there, but, as I understand it, if you had solar installed then some smart meter would have to have been installed at the same time or prior to, I'll stand corrected but I don't see the logic of a solar system installed feeding straight into the grid. Even if you had an older style meter you would still be able to use your generated power first, what is not consumd goes to the grid.

Your AGL bill may shed some light on that. The big advantage of a smart meter is using the AGL app to see your daily etc. consumption as well as on line monthly reads which means no one has to visit your home to get a meter read.

I'm sure the moderators here will read your post, ask for your personal info VIA PRIVATE MESSAGE and shed much more light tham I have.

Rob

Re: Solar Smart Meters

Catdog — Wed, 18 Jan 2017 02:13:01 GMT

Please ensure Your AGL METER CHANGER is trained and knows the correct procedure for your specific invertor. Ours did not and AGL refuses to take any responsibility for the fact our invertor is now useless. As customers of 25yrs standing AGL has treated us appallingly. They sent a serviceman out to assess the situation who did not bother to bring any tools, had only seen a couple of invertors and had no idea how to assess the situation let alone fix it. Please ensure you meter changer knows what they are doing otherwise you may have a lot of trouble with them

Re: Solar Smart Meters

CatherineG — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 06:44:20 GMT

Hi @MarkScarfe. Thanks for your post and welcome to the Community.

Previously in NSW customers had the choice between having a net or a gross solar meter installed. This would have been either arranged with the solar installation company or electrician at the time of installation.

If you currently have a gross meter installed this would mean that all of solar energy is fed directly into the electricity gird. AGL is currently offering to exchange these meters with a digital meter that includes net metering

Net metering solar systems are set up to send energy to your household first, before sending the excess energy back into the grid. That means only solar energy that’s not used in your home is sent to the grid – and you receive a payment (or ‘feed-in tariff’) for that excess. A net meter records the excess solar your system generates, as well as the amount of electricity your household takes from the grid.

Thanks

Re: Solar Smart Meters

LJK — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 10:16:00 GMT

HI Mark

Did you get a direct answer on this topic? using your own power first, i think is called net metering, when it goes direct to the grid it is called gross metering. I am also trying to find out about ensuring I am on net metering. It does not appear to be in all the 'bells and whistles' when they talk about smart meters.

Re: Solar Smart Meters

CatherineG — Thu, 26 Jan 2017 21:59:08 GMT

Hi @LJK.

AGL is currently offering in NSW to exchange any solar configured meters with a new digital meter, which will be configured to net metering. This will allow your solar generation to first of all feed into your house, will be able to record any energy that you draw from the electricity grid and any excess solar energy that your system feeds into the grid.

This is not a compulsory meter exchange however you can either opt in or opt out at this time.

If you want to find out more information about your current metering configuration, please send us a private message with your account details.

Thanks!

Re: Solar Smart Meters

Fionoula — Sat, 11 Feb 2017 05:22:20 GMT

In September last year I received notification that Ia free net meter would be installed on my property prior to the rebate finishing on Dec 31 2016. 2 weeks later (october)I was notified that my house required a 3 phase net meter and that this would be done shortly. In October, November and December I continually called AGL requesting information on when the free meter would be installed, eventually speaking to a supervisor who supposedly placed me on a "priority" list.

31 December came and went without an installation. So for the last 6 weeks AGL has been buying ALL the electricity I produce for 6 cents and I have been purchasing it back for @ 4 Times that amount in what is the hottest summer on record.

i am appalled at the lack of communication and service by a company I have not only been loyal to For 25 years but am also a shareholder in.

this will have cost me a lot of money!! And AGL will have profited by their delay in installing the meter,

next steps

ombudsman and if no satisfaction - then to a Current Affair or Today Tonight or maybe Ray Hadley as they willl assist me

Re: Solar Smart Meters

CatherineG — Sun, 12 Feb 2017 23:01:18 GMT

Hi @Fionoula.

Thanks for the post, I have also received your private message and will be happy to help you out. Please check your Community inbox.

Thanks!

Re: Solar Smart Meters

Judy — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 02:49:04 GMT

Hi Fionoula,

I have this exact problem and now the initial 6 weeks has blown out to 12 weeks. As you say, AGL are making money out of us till the new meter is installed. What is happening with your installation? Any joy?

Judy

Re: Solar Smart Meters

CatherineG — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 00:14:54 GMT

Hi @Judy.

Sorry to hear that your meter exchange has not taken place either. If you would like you can send me a private message with your account details via this link and I can investigate as to what is happening on our end. Otherwise if you would prefer to speak to someone you can call our digital meter team on 1300 669 245.

Thanks!

Re: Solar Smart Meters

Tamsimps — Wed, 23 Aug 2017 19:21:49 GMT

I have been waiting all year for my free swap from gross meter to net meter. I keep getting told I just need to wait but how long do I need to wait! I have just had a smart meter installed but still waiting and waiting and waiting for a net meter!

Re: Solar Smart Meters

Jordanemm — Mon, 28 Aug 2017 03:16:00 GMT

Hi @Tamsimps,

Thank you for reaching out to us, and apologies for the ongoing delay you have had waiting for your net meter.

Our Solar Maximiser team would love to look into this matter for you, to explain the reasoning behind this delay. They should also be able to assist with the next steps in getting your meter installed at your property. You can contact them on 1300 790 335 .

Please let us know if anything else comes up, and thank you for your patience.

Sincerely, Jordan

Re: Solar Smart Meters

Marco — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 07:09:13 GMT

I'm getting more solar pannels installed in the next 4 weeks.

I currently have a 1.5 kw sytem with a net metre from 2011

my question is will they upgrade the net metre I have to a current one?

it has not been mentioned on the quote.

I will ring up on monday to ask about it , but i thought i would ask here.

Re: Solar Smart Meters

TheRealDaveyG — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 03:59:26 GMT

Hi @Marco,

Thank you for your post and all the best for the upcoming installation of your panels!

It is a very good question concerning your net meter and generally speaking, this is to do with some of the updates that would have come across since 2011. However, our Solar team would be able to confirm this for you, and you can contact them directly on 1300 790 335.

Kindly, Dave.

Re: Solar Smart Meters

Seadog — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 13:17:51 GMT

I so hope you take it to current affair as i to believe they are dragging on the meter installs so as to maximise their profits.

Im pissed off to no end that my brand new digital solar meter has to be changed because i change provider??? Whats the difference its a rort and needs to be fixed.

Re: Solar Smart Meters

jayden_AGL — Thu, 15 Mar 2018 22:36:46 GMT

Hello, Seadog!

Welcome to the AGL Community!

We're sorry to hear that you've found this process so frustrating. If you'd like us to follow up on things, please send an email through to onlinereviews@agl.com.au and we'll be happy to help wherever we can.

Kind regards,

Jayden

Re: Solar Smart Meters

tellmenolies — Sun, 03 Mar 2019 01:59:20 GMT

The answer by AGL is not true. AGL have set meters up so that if you decide to use your excess solar energy to heat your hot water by pressing the boost button, it will charge you for the electricity off the grid instead of using your own excess solar energy