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  • C.R.J.
    Member
    • Dec 2015
    • 56

    #1

    Preventing 'net metering'

    Ok, so I am new here and am nowhere near 'up to speed' with solar issues. I am reading a lot of topics on here and from books.
    Anyway, a question/problem.
    I am in Spain. Which as far as solar electric is concerned is a bit of a nightmare. legislation is due but not confirmed to come into effect in the coming months.
    Part of that legislation is concerning 'net metering'. Essentially, if you put excess solar generated power into the grid, you are classed as a 'Power generating Company'.
    As such you are required to abide by the legislation regarding power generating companies. The first part of which is the fees. This will be over and above 3000 euros. The second part is inspections of equipment on a regular basis with fees to be paid.
    I want to avoid this situation by not feeding into the grid.
    I am going to install solar power to reduce, not negate my electric bill. (Its a cost issue).
    Winter here in Spain is short, but that's when I use the most electricity. So I need a system to provide for that. However that means i will be generating more solar power in the summer months.
    Basically, what I am asking is, how do I prevent any excess power going to the grid?
    There is probably an electronic system to do this, but not found it yet. My other thought was to isolate parts of my property and make them off grid.
    Any thoughts from the experts would be appreciated.
    CRJ
  • Drastyn
    Junior Member
    • Dec 2015
    • 23

    #2
    Hey mate, for avoid that situation the only answer is “storage” .. For example :
    • SMA Kit Smart Energy 3600-7 with 7 years of warranty (include inverter) 4730,00 euro
    • RES Fiamm 7,2 KWh – 48V (without inverter) 2320,00 euro
    Last edited by Drastyn; 01-02-2016, 11:40 AM. Reason: typo

    Comment

    • Bikerscum
      Solar Fanatic
      • Jul 2014
      • 296

      #3
      Look into Solaredge inverters/optimizers. They have an inverter line specifically for this.... to prevent backfeed into the grid.
      6k LG 300, 16S, 2E, 2W, Solaredge P400s and SE5000

      Comment

      • organic farmer
        Solar Fanatic
        • Dec 2013
        • 663

        #4
        Where I live; net-metering does not pay you anything. You pay extra to be able to do net-metering. There is little incentive for anyone to net-meter.

        My E-panel has an 'Aux-Input' breaker. You can connect an auxiliary source of power into this E-panel. That auxiliary power source could be a generator, or it could be grid power.

        If you used grid power as your Aux-Input power source, then when you are making power you can use your own power. When your battery-bank is charged you can use that as your power source. Or when you need power from some other source you can use the grid.

        4400w, Midnite Classic 150 charge-controller.

        Comment

        • Bikerscum
          Solar Fanatic
          • Jul 2014
          • 296

          #5
          I did a little searching... here's a link to the Solaredge zero feed in inverter... http://www.solaredge.com/files/pdfs/...tion_flyer.pdf
          6k LG 300, 16S, 2E, 2W, Solaredge P400s and SE5000

          Comment

          • sensij
            Solar Fanatic
            • Sep 2014
            • 5074

            #6
            All Solaredge inverters have that functionality, definitely the least expensive way to solve the problem, but maybe not the most robust, if that matters.
            CS6P-260P/SE3000 - http://tiny.cc/ed5ozx

            Comment

            • C.R.J.
              Member
              • Dec 2015
              • 56

              #7
              Lots of good ideas there for me to ponder. The solar edge zero feed in inverter is a strong possibility. So thanks for the rapid replies, Drastyn, Bikerscum, Sensij. and organic farmer. I will now retire to my books and google to further my solar knowledge.

              Comment

              • Mike90250
                Moderator
                • May 2009
                • 16020

                #8
                Hybrid style inverters (large, battery based 24 & 48V, >4Kw) often have a "Sell to Grid" setting that can be enabled or disabled. But you also have a bank of batteries to complicate things. So any Grid Tie inverter that can disable "sell to grid" should be good. It's also likely you will need to register and have it inspected at least one time, or the auditors will come around looking to see how you are stealing electricity,
                Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
                || Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
                || VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A

                solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
                gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister

                Comment

                • Andygt02
                  Junior Member
                  • Dec 2015
                  • 36

                  #9
                  What if you only use energy at night? Is the energy produced by the panels during the day entirely wasted without net-metering?
                  7.2 kW / LG NeOn 2 300's / Enphase M250

                  Comment

                  • sensij
                    Solar Fanatic
                    • Sep 2014
                    • 5074

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Andygt02
                    What if you only use energy at night? Is the energy produced by the panels during the day entirely wasted without net-metering?
                    Unless you store the energy (batteries), yes, panels are worthless for night time consumption without net metering.
                    CS6P-260P/SE3000 - http://tiny.cc/ed5ozx

                    Comment

                    • SunEagle
                      Super Moderator
                      • Oct 2012
                      • 15161

                      #11
                      Originally posted by sensij

                      Unless you store the energy (batteries), yes, panels are worthless for night time consumption without net metering.
                      Who needs power at night? Doesn't everyone just go to bed when the sun goes down?

                      Comment

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