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How to Read Your Meter

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UNDERSTANDING GROSS POWER VS NET POWER

Many people look at the solar feed-in credit on their electricity bill or energy account and think that this is the the amount of power that their solar system has produced each quarter.  This is incorrect.

Gross Power

Gross Solar Power is the actual power that your solar system generates. That is power before any use by household appliances. The Gross Power reading for each day can be found on your inverter. Refer to the below “How to read your Inverter”

Net Power

Net Solar Power is the excess energy fed back to the grid after all appliances in the home have been powered (known as solar soaking) for daytime use. This is the reading found on the digital meter and your electricity bill or energy account statement. 

 

It is important to remember that your solar system is set up to power your home first and foremost before exporting any unused excess energy to the grid. This means if your household’s day-time energy use has increased since the solar system was installed, you may see that your solar feed-in has dropped. This is not cause for concern and does not automatically mean that your system is malfunctioning.

HOW TO READ YOUR METER

We are often asked by our customers how to read their solar meter and inverter. Follow this simple guide for more information.

It is important that you take notice of your meter reading and ensure that the feed-in credit that you are receiving on your bill matches the amount exported on your meter’s digital display.

In Queensland, Energex and Ergon – the energy distributors – utilise a number of different digital solar meters depending on the age and location of the property. Compare your meter to the photos below to find out which meter you have at your property.

Electronic Meter – EM1000

The EM1000 is a single phase import/export meter. In order to read your export correctly refer to your energy account to determine which meter corresponds to which tariff (for homes with multiple supply tariffs).  The Meter Number will be details on your latest energy statement from your retailer.

  1. Positive Reading (no – sign before reading). This reading tells you the power that you have taken from the grid since the meter was installed in kWh.
  2. Negative Reading (- sign before reading). This reading tells you how much power in kWh you have sent back to the grid as surplus to your requirements. If you are on the old higher feed in tariff of 44c to 52c then you want as much surplus as possible. If you are on the lower 6c to 12c feed in tariff you want as little surplus power as possible.

 

 

Electronic Meter – EM1200