First Month Production Doesn't Match Electric Bill

[Ward L]

I'm Calling SoCal Edison

I could call my installer too and ask them if they measure my production and consumption separately. I agree that the consumption on my bill is likely the amount I used when my panels were dark.

[Ian S]

In Arizona, APS required a separate production meter to be installed for my system.

[pleppik]

How many states have that? You are looking for the needle in the haystack.

Maybe so, but since the state I happen to live in does exactly this, I don't have to look very hard.

IIRC, the east-coast states with SRECs also will attach a production meter to measure the production for the SRECs. Maybe someone who lives in MA, PA, NJ, OH, MD or DE can chime in on whether they have a production meter.

[russ]

In states where there's a production-based incentive they do put a meter between the array and the panel. So that's not an uncommon thing.

How many states have that? You are looking for the needle in the haystack.

[pleppik]

Unless they install a meter between your array and your electric panel how will they know? Or is it a magic green thing?

In states where there's a production-based incentive they do put a meter between the array and the panel. So that's not an uncommon thing.

[silversaver]

I'm guessing if you can get your consumption and production from PVOUTPUT.ORG, the POCO has the info too. Few seem to see it, but my recent power bill shows "Consumption". The number is not a net consumption because I made more electricity than I used in the billing period. Given the laws for meeting certain percentage of power by renewable sources, I bet all POCOs know both your power consumption and your power generation.

You need to read more. Net metering (single meter from SCE) only record what you send and receive from grid. During solar prodution, you only send to grid surplus after your own comsumption. Why is it so hard to understand?

PVOutput.org doesnt know anything about your system, because people upload and share their data there.

[russ]

Given the laws for meeting certain percentage of power by renewable sources, I bet all POCOs know both your power consumption and your power generation.

Unless they install a meter between your array and your electric panel how will they know? Or is it a magic green thing?

[Beanyboy57]

Ian S has the right answer in post 3.

Net generation as reported by the PoCo and Total production as shown by Enphase are not the same thing. Net generation only shows what you sent to the grid. The 25% difference is what you used straight from the system so it didn't get sent back to the grid.

Conversely, consumption as reported by the PoCo does not include what you used directly from the system. Only what you consumed from the grid. If you add that 25% difference to the comsumption figure you will get the total you used during the time period.

WWW

Totally agree. This is how it works for me.

[Ward L]

POCO Knows All

I'm guessing if you can get your consumption and production from PVOUTPUT.ORG, the POCO has the info too. Few seem to see it, but my recent power bill shows "Consumption". The number is not a net consumption because I made more electricity than I used in the billing period. Given the laws for meeting certain percentage of power by renewable sources, I bet all POCOs know both your power consumption and your power generation.

[Ian S]

Our POCO placed a smart meter on our PV system. It has something to do with a mandate requiring our POCO to obtain a certain percentage of power from renewable resources by a certain date (percentage/date I am not sure of). They count all of the GT installations from wind turbine/solar PV as part of this in addition to purchasing power from renewable resources.

I think that's the same here in AZ.

[gregvet]

Not sure why the POCO would go to the trouble if they weren't interested in my production.

Our POCO placed a smart meter on our PV system. It has something to do with a mandate requiring our POCO to obtain a certain percentage of power from renewable resources by a certain date (percentage/date I am not sure of). They count all of the GT installations from wind turbine/solar PV as part of this in addition to purchasing power from renewable resources.

[russ]

Generally that's true. However, for those of us who have separate utility grade production meters, the POCO could get that info. When my system was installed, the installer put in a mechanical meter to track my production. Within a few months, the POCO swapped it out for a smart meter that I assume has the capability of being read remotely. Not sure why the POCO would go to the trouble if they weren't interested in my production.

If the cables from the PV system pass through a meter then OK but if they don't then no way.

[Ian S]

Right - No way for the POCO to know what one uses internally - doesn't pass through their meter.

Generally that's true. However, for those of us who have separate utility grade production meters, the POCO could get that info. When my system was installed, the installer put in a mechanical meter to track my production. Within a few months, the POCO swapped it out for a smart meter that I assume has the capability of being read remotely. Not sure why the POCO would go to the trouble if they weren't interested in my production.

[russ]

Conversely, consumption as reported by the PoCo does not include what you used directly from the system. Only what you consumed from the grid. If you add that 25% difference to the comsumption figure you will get the total you used during the time period.

WWW

Right - No way for the POCO to know what one uses internally - doesn't pass through their meter.

[Wy_White_Wolf]

Ian S has the right answer in post 3.

Net generation as reported by the PoCo and Total production as shown by Enphase are not the same thing. Net generation only shows what you sent to the grid. The 25% difference is what you used straight from the system so it didn't get sent back to the grid.

Conversely, consumption as reported by the PoCo does not include what you used directly from the system. Only what you consumed from the grid. If you add that 25% difference to the comsumption figure you will get the total you used during the time period.

WWW