After meter reconfiguartion

[Jie_Zhang]

Hi, I was told by an email to wait for my smart meter reconfiguration next 10 business days after the solar panel installation recently.  My question is, after the meter reconfiguration is done, what I should do next, to select a new plan or what?  Thanks.

[vavud · Accepted solution]

You can expect a big increase in charges when you get a smart meter. I have tried to find out why this is so on two occasions without any answer. 

I have checked Energy Australia site and they offer 18c cheaper than AGL for peak rate. Why can't I speak to someone senior and ask them why are they cheaper?

The thing I dislike about AGL is that you can't ring a senior person to complain. When you ring customer service and ask for a manager they question why you need to speak to a manager and then tell you that the manager will give me the same answer as they do.  Good luck!

[Lester · Accepted solution]

Very often people do get big increases in bills . . . it all really depends on what sort of tariff you are on, how it relates to how / when you use power, and even the state / region you are in.

Even with solar, it can be a shock when you get your first bill, for example if you are put onto a time of use (TOU) plan, work all day, and use power in peak times before and after work.

Did you get a battery too @Jie_Zhang  ?

That will make a big difference to plan choices, and be the way to avoid high peak charges.

Yes, there are options out there, but you should look at what AGL has to offer, (if there is a choice) whether you are better off on a single tariff or go onto a TOU tariff, or if there is a demand tariff attached to any tariff type you choose.

Then there are the local feed in tariffs (FITs) offered, possibly a VPP plan.

Solar options can be hard to work through with people's own usage patterns etc, I found it's just as important after all that to get the retailer and plan right after getting through that.