Plug in Solar Power Stations and backward-running meters

[JimmyDubs]

Hi all. Newbie here in the UK.

I am considering purchasing a 2kW DIY ground mounted solar power system (see here). The kit comprises 8 x 250w panels; 4 x Dual Micro-Inverters (one for every two panels); 16 x Adjustable Metal A-Frames; 1 x 2 Metre AC (Mains) Power Cable; 1 x End Cap; 1 x Switched Fused Connection Unit. I had no idea you could buy these plug and play systems until now, and the cost seems pretty reasonable: £2430 versus about £4200 for the normal grid-tie system with a government-backed feed-in tariff.

So the big question for me is, how will my electricity supplier react if I start producing more electricity than I consume? The website makes it very clear that older style electric meters are likely to run backwards, thus reducing electricity bills further (my meter is very old style). Google tells me that in the past the electric companies have gone after people who have started spinning their meter backwards and it is normally caused by the MSC-certified installer failing to swap out the old meter with a more modern one that can't go backwards. However, these kits are 100% legal and designed for the DIY-er, and there is apparently no law in the UK which states you have to install a new meter or even inform the electricity company. In which case I might well be having some awkward conversations with my supplier.

There doesn't seem to be a whole lot of info out there on these DIY solar power stations so I'd be really interested to hear the thoughts of a few enthusiasts.

Cheers

James

[Mike90250]

1 thing will happen, another thing may happen

Your electric supplier WILL notice. They have billing computers to look for meter bypasses and other fraud. Some meters will even record the power you generate to the grid, as power you consume, they only count 1 way, no subtraction.

Depending on your bootleg inverter hookup, the quality and where you plug it in, you will generate varied amounts of heat in the wiring. Many times, the inverter is low efficiency, you connect 400w of panels and only produce 200w, rest is heat. 200w is not going to melt your house wires, but if you plug enough of these in, you will start to have issues. And if there is ever an incident, your insurance coverage will be voided for using a non-UL approved generation system. There are no plug-in certified systems in the USA.

We will warn you of the consequences, and advise it's not legal to code to use these. (legal to sell & buy, just like crack pipes) and we will not help you make it work, as it's a toehold for Big Electric to point and say Solar is not safe.