Can smart meters work with solar panels?

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Both solar panels and smart meters give you greater control over your household energy. But can they work together?

Not only is the answer yes, combining the two is vital if you want to sell the excess electricity you generate back to the National Grid. Our expert guide explains it all, from how smart meters work with solar panels to the benefits of using them together.

Smart meters are digital devices that measure electricity and gas consumption in real-time, replacing traditional analogue meters. They provide more accurate and up-to-date information on energy usage, allowing you to monitor and adjust your consumption habits accordingly. Smart meters also communicate with utility companies, enabling them to monitor energy usage and facilitate billing remotely.

To fully benefit from a smart meter with solar panels, it is essential to have a compatible meter installed. Some older smart meters might not be able to measure exported energy, so it’s important to check with your utility company or meter provider to ensure compatibility.

First-generation vs second-generation smart meters

Prior to 2018, first-generation smart meters (SMETS 1) were installed. These came with several issues, the most common being that the meter could stop recording energy data when users switched suppliers. Rather than a dedicated smart meter network, most SMETS 1 used 3G, and this appeared to be causing the problems.  

In 2018, the new, improved second-generation smart meters (SMETS 2) were rolled out with a dedicated Wide Area Network (WAN) for the energy suppliers to connect and manage the meters. 

SMETS 2 are designed to work with solar panels, allowing you to see how much electricity you use – both supplied and generated. They also track the amount that is sold back to the National Grid. While most energy providers have systems fully compatible with solar panels, it’s always a good idea to check with your supplier if you aren’t sure.

Smart meters can track both the energy consumed from the grid and the surplus energy generated by the solar panels. This real-time monitoring can help you understand your energy usage patterns and adjust your consumption accordingly.

Through the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) many utility companies can buy back any surplus energy your solar panels generate. Smart meters are crucial in tracking this information and ensuring accurate SEG payments.

Smart meters can help optimise energy consumption by providing users with detailed data about their usage patterns. This information can identify areas where energy efficiency could be improved, such as adjusting the timing of energy-intensive activities to coincide with periods of high solar generation.

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There are several benefits to using smart meters in conjunction with solar panels:

• Improved energy efficiency: Real-time monitoring of energy consumption and generation allows you to make informed decisions about your energy usage, potentially leading to more efficient energy consumption patterns and reduced energy bills.
• Ability to sell excess energy: You won’t be able to sell solar power back to the grid without a smart meter capable of sending half-hourly export readings installed in your home. 
• Accurate billing and compensation: Smart meters ensure you receive accurate billing for your energy usage, as well as compensation for the surplus energy you produce via your solar panels, promoting a more equitable energy system.
• Encouraging renewable energy adoption: By providing you with real-time data on your energy consumption and generation, smart meters encourage the adoption of renewable energy sources such as solar panels, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
• Grid management and stability: Smart meters provide utility companies with valuable data that can be used to better manage the electricity grid, ensuring greater stability and efficiency. This is particularly important as the share of renewable energy sources like solar power in the energy mix continues to grow.

Reading a smart meter with solar panels can be slightly different depending on the specific make and model of your meter, but generally, there are a few key values you should pay attention to:

• Energy generated by your solar panels: Your smart meter should display the total  electricity generated by your solar panels since the system was installed. This value is typically measured in kilowatt hours (kWh) and might be labelled as “Solar Generation” or “Solar Production”.
• Energy consumed from the grid: The smart meter will also show the energy you’ve consumed from the grid, usually measured in kWh. Look for terms such as “Grid Consumption” or “Imported Energy”.
• Energy exported to the grid: If your solar panels produce more energy than you consume, the excess energy is exported to the grid. Your smart meter should display this value, also measured in kWh, which could be listed under “Grid Export” or “Exported Energy”.
• Net energy consumption: Some smart meters calculate and display the difference between the energy consumed from the grid and the energy exported back to the grid. This value, typically in kWh, represents your net energy consumption and could be under “Net Energy” or “Net Consumption”.

Remember that each smart meter model can have different display features and navigation methods. Be sure to consult your smart meter’s user manual or contact the manufacturer for specific instructions on how to read and interpret the data from your meter.

When you have solar panels, it’s essential to have a meter that can measure the energy your system generates and the energy you consume from the grid. This type of meter is often called a “bidirectional meter” or “net meter”. It keeps track of the energy you export to the grid and the energy you consume, allowing you to get reimbursed for the excess energy your solar panels produce. 

If you have a first-generation smart meter, you can request an upgrade to the newer version from your energy supplier, which should be free of charge.

If your smart meter is a second-generation model, it should be optimised to collect data from your solar panel system; however, your energy provider can confirm this if you are unsure.