Got smart and bought solar? Got smart and got a smart meter? Got smart and Google'd if they'll actually work together? Well, it depends and here we explain why.
- Do Smart Meters & Solar Panels Work Together?
- SMETS1 and Solar Panels
- SMETS2 and Solar Panels
- How Do Smart Meters Work Together with Solar Panels?
- Do You Need a Smart Meter for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
- Can You Have Solar Without a Smart Meter?
- Disadvantages of Solar Panels Being Paired with Smart Meters
- Can you get free or subsidised solar panels in the UK?
Smart meters allow households to measure how much electricity they’ve been consuming accurately.
That way homeowners can receive more accurate bills and monitor their behaviour to better avoid energy waste.
In the case of solar panels, they also help you track how much energy you are using from your solar vs buying from the National Grid.
But, there have been issues, in particular with older generation SMETS1 smart meters.
Thankfully, this has now been resolved with new SMETS2 generation smart meters.
So, can you use solar panels with smart meters? And if so, how?
Let’s dive in!
PS We offer MCS-certified solar panel installation nationwide. Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and arrange your free design.
Smart Meters with Solar Panels Key Points:
Smart meters are digital devices that track real-time energy consumption.
They help solar panel owners monitor energy generation and optimise usage.
There were some issues with old generation SMETS1 smart meters – but newer SMETS2 resolved this.
Integration with smart meters enables tracking of energy production, self-consumption, and grid exports.
Smart meters facilitate feed-in tariff schemes for payment of excess energy – this includes the SEG.
Users gain insights into usage patterns, efficiency opportunities, and potential cost savings.
Some smart meters offer online platforms or apps for real-time energy data.
Remote monitoring aids in detecting and addressing solar panel performance issues.
Do Smart Meters & Solar Panels Work Together?
There have been issues with older generation SMETS1 smart meters and solar panels, however, this is no longer the case.
Today, the latest SMETS2 smart meters face very few reported compatibility issues when paired with solar systems.
Additionally, if you intend to sell excess energy via the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) it's essential to have a smart meter or a separate export meter to take readings every half an hour.
SMETS1 and Solar Panels
First-generation smart meters, referred to as SMETS1 were the first wave of smart meters released in the UK.
These smart meters were installed from 2013 onwards and utilised a 3G SIM card to send data back to energy companies.
However, the issue was that these smart meters would stop sending data if households changed energy suppliers.
They also faced major compatibility issues when being paired with solar panels.
SMETS2 and Solar Panels
As a result of the issues faced with first-generation smart meters, a new generation of smart meters was born.
These were called SMETS2 and are now compatible with most energy suppliers and solar panels.
Released in 2018, this new generation of smart meters allows homeowners to switch to a different energy company without having to worry about smart meter compatibility issues.
How Do Smart Meters Work Together with Solar Panels?
In contrast to older meters, smart meters allow you to see your energy consumption in real-time.
This enables you to view the energy you are self-consuming from your panels, as well as the energy you are drawing from the grid.
This data is also sent from your smart meter directly to your energy supplier for added convenience.
However, one of the biggest advantages of having a smart meter with solar is that you can monitor your energy consumption and behaviour and adapt as necessary.
Explore a Solar Case Study: Check out an insightful Q&A session featured in one of our detailed case studies on domestic solar panels. Hear directly from a Heatable customer in the UK and gain valuable perspectives on their experience here.
The image above shows a 23-panel solar installation, carried out by the MCS-certified solar team at Heatable, featuring the REA Fusion2 solar panels.
Do You Need a Smart Meter for the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?
Households that wish to sell excess solar energy back to the grid may do so thanks to the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
However, to be able to do this, you will either need a smart meter or a separate export meter to take readings every half an hour.
Using a smart meter has an advantage since it provides real-time and more accurate data, meaning your payments will likely be more accurate too.
If you connect a suitable smart meter to your solar array, you won’t need to worry about being underpaid when selling your energy back to the national grid.
Still, learning about solar? Check out our guides on how many solar panels you need and how solar car charging works.
Can You Have Solar Without a Smart Meter?
Yes, you can have solar panels without a smart meter, it is not compulsory, but we would advise anyone with solar to do so due to the added convenience and functionality they provide.
By using a smart meter with your solar array, the readings will be sent automatically, saving you time.
Smart meters are also very accurate, so the data provided to your energy company will mean you can be more confident with the accuracy of the SEG payments you receive.
Disadvantages of Solar Panels Being Paired with Smart Meters
Of course, having your solar panels paired with a smart meter may have some potential drawbacks.
We happen to believe that on balance having your solar paired with a smart meter is worth it, yet it's still important to be aware of the potential drawbacks, which include the following:
Compatibility issues with third-party monitoring tools - although not common, there have been a few reports of compatibility issues with software that enable you to monitor and visualise solar energy production and usage, therefore always verify the compatibility of your chosen software prior to purchase.
Inaccurate measurements - again, there have been some reports of smart meters providing inaccurate readings, but this is by no means a widespread issue. Therefore, it's important to continually monitor and cross-check to mitigate against this.
With that said, there really aren't any major drawbacks to having a smart meter and there are many more benefits to consider, hence why on balance we recommend their use with solar.
Still learning about solar panels? Explore our helpful guides on various topics, including solar panel grants, payback periods, the mechanics of solar energy, determining the number of panels you need, and solar car charging solutions.
Can you get free or subsidised solar panels in the UK?
Potentially yes, you can apply for funding and may be eligible for help with the costs of a solar panel installation via the ECO4 scheme.
Explore what solar panel grants and funding are currently available in our comprehensive solar grant guide here.
Next Steps For Your Solar Journey:
When planning to install solar panels for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
To dive deeper into these topics, head over to our advice section, check out our YouTube channel for informative videos, or read a customer case study to see how others have benefited from their solar installation.
Get a Quote for Solar Today
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Exclusive Panels: We offer REA Fusion solar panels, available only through Heatable.
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Save Your Quote: You can save your quote and decide later.
Bespoke Design Tool: Draw your own conclusion (literally) on whether solar is worth it for you, here.
