Something isn't adding up.

Robert1234
Conductor
1 Reply 3121 Views

After installing a 13.2 kw solar system with a 20 kwh battery. I've been charged an average of $15 daily for electricity since the install, which is higher before installing the solar, and according to my solar monitoring app, my electricity production is higher than my consumption so I should be in credit. Any ideas what is happening? Thanks

15 REPLIES 15
Robert1234
Conductor
1 Reply 961 Views

Thanks for the reply. Does AGL need to setup things on their end?

Lester
Powerhouse
1 Reply 957 Views

That's something you shouldn't HAVE to do, your solar people should be doing the whole thing through to completion with DNSP and maybe they or the DNSP works with the retailer.

 

I did get involved my end with SAPN here in SA, as my installer using a contractor to do that liaising didn't act for a week, so I ade a call and inquired, organised a new meter install.

Was a PITA Robert to have to get involved.

 

I would follow up with AGL on options you have for a plan.

Do / can you stay on your previous metering / plan type (single tariff or TOU tariff) ?

What is going to suit your usage best ?

 

Usually with solar and battery, TOU is best, so you can top off if ever needed in poor winter weather (low solar production), or times of higher usage needs . . . shoulder during solar soak is lowest in most cases, you can be producing to the battery and topping off, ready for full battery in peak.

You should be right most (if not all) year with your PV and battery size, but grid support from cheaper tariffs are there if needed.

 

As said, your solar / battery folk should be able to help you best with why you are getting higher than app readings, if that is all relative, and they should be able to advise status of the install with all other parties like DNSP and maybe AGL.

Robert1234
Conductor
0 Replies 951 Views

Okay thanks for the advice. I will let you know how it goes.

JohnAF
Switched-on
1 Reply 733 Views

No. Unless your battery is doing some kind of forced charge, either manual or programmed.

You should read and try to make sense of your inverter user manual.

Robert1234
Conductor
1 Reply 726 Views

It's all good now. The electrician changed my smart meter which was faulty.

Lester
Powerhouse
0 Replies 716 Views

@Robert1234 good to hear !

Very unusual to have a faulty meter, hopefully with a little baseline monitoring, you might be able to get some reimbursement due to excessive usage or lack of solar grid feed in.

You should see your bills drop to almost zero for most (if not all) of the year, depending on what you find now, and perhaps if you can also make some slight usage changes.

If so, there should really be full billing wiped for the period after solar . . . not sure who would be responsible for that, not really AGL's fault being a metering issue, perhaps your DNSP or meter company might spring for it.