Net meter doesn't match system output numbers

[Browndog]

I just put a 9.25 kW system in Las Vegas NV. The system uses APS micro inverters and I have an online web page to monitor output. I have an Itron net meter installed by my utility.

My system calculates it put out over 1500kW last month. My bill just came and it says I used 707 kW and made 964kW for a net credit of 257kW. That sounds great, except again my system says it put out over 1500 kW. According to my bill I only made 964kW?

Even if I assume the 1500 my system is calculating is AC and apply the .85% factor! that would be 1275kW still well off of the power company numbers.

I called my solar company yesterday and told the receptionist all of the details, she said they would call me next week.

Any ideas? I am hoping the system is putting out what it says and the utility meter is wrong?

[Bikerscum]

This question comes up quite a bit.

The difference was used by your house.

[Browndog]

This question comes up quite a bit.

The difference was used by your house.

I would agree if I had ever, ever used that much power in October, my typical usage for the month of October the last 2 years was in the 700 kW range?

I guess I just need to let a few months go by and see how it falls out.

Thanks for the reply,

[Sunking]

I would agree if I had ever, ever used that much power in October, my typical usage for the month of October the last 2 years was in the 700 kW range?

You are in Lost Wages right? Do you have air conditioning?

[Bikerscum]

Something sounds a bit off in your production numbers somewhere. You have microinverters so your system I think should be reporting AC, but 1500KWH? With a .85 system, all south facing panels, etc. PVWatts estimates 1275.

To get to 1500 your system would have to have 0% loss.

[Ward L]

Same thing happened to me

It seemed like my home energy consumption increased as soon as I installed my panels. Maybe it is just human nature to think you are getting ripped off by the power company. It is too much work to figure out what is going on and I just chalk it up to being paranoid and try to forget about it....

[inetdog]

I just put a 9.25 kW system in Las Vegas NV. The system uses APS micro inverters and I have an online web page to monitor output. I have an Itron net meter installed by my utility.

My system calculates it put out over 1500kW last month. My bill just came and it says I used 707 kW and made 964kW for a net credit of 257kW. That sounds great, except again my system says it put out over 1500 kW. According to my bill I only made 964kW?

Even if I assume the 1500 my system is calculating is AC and apply the .85% factor! that would be 1275kW still well off of the power company numbers.

I called my solar company yesterday and told the receptionist all of the details, she said they would call me next week.

Any ideas? I am hoping the system is putting out what it says and the utility meter is wrong?

The meter does not know anything about what your system produces. (Systems in some states are required to have a separate production meter for incentive purposes though.)
So whenever what the PV is producing is less than what you are using, the meter records only the difference that buy for that time period.
Whenever the PV is producing more than you are using, the meter records only that amount minus what you are using locally as the amount you sold back for that time period.
If your production exactly matched your load, but the all of your loads were only turned on after dark, the meter would record the production as sold each day and the same amount as purchased each night for a net of zero.

[silversaver]

I just put a 9.25 kW system in Las Vegas NV. The system uses APS micro inverters and I have an online web page to monitor output. I have an Itron net meter installed by my utility.

My system calculates it put out over 1500kW last month. My bill just came and it says I used 707 kW and made 964kW for a net credit of 257kW. That sounds great, except again my system says it put out over 1500 kW. According to my bill I only made 964kW?

Even if I assume the 1500 my system is calculating is AC and apply the .85% factor! that would be 1275kW still well off of the power company numbers.

I called my solar company yesterday and told the receptionist all of the details, she said they would call me next week.

Any ideas? I am hoping the system is putting out what it says and the utility meter is wrong?

If you have online web monitoring, what does it says? That's your production right there. If you only have 1 meter, then there is no way POCO will know about your solar production. The meter will only output what you credit/withdraw from POCO. You need to search "net metering". This subject has been discussed few times already, hit the search.

[Browndog]

After looking at my bill, analyzing my system data and matching the "days" exactly. Then looking at historical data, it might be right. 😱 if the system data is displaying in DC. After converting with an .85% factor it is very close.

Like I said before, I guess I just need to let it play out for many months. I just didn't want some big problem to linger.

Paranoia officially put away for awhile.😎

[russ]

Paranoia officially put away for awhile.

Feel better now?

[J.P.M.]

Feel better now?

Slightly tongue in cheek: Like the old saying - just 'cause you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to getcha'.

Like the house, as long as you play their game, the POCO's will always win. It's just business.

[Browndog]

Slightly tongue in cheek: Like the old saying - just 'cause you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to getcha'.

Like the house, as long as you play their game, the POCO's will always win. It's just business.

I actually work in the power industry, my company is known as an IPP, Independent power producer. We own power plants and sell power to the utilities. I have a huge amount of animosity towards "most" utilities, especially about the way they are fighting solar and trying to penalize folks that are installing it.

First they offer incentives, then they cry about too much solar being installed. They are seeing their business model crumbling before their eyes.

Arizona was able to get, I believe, $.60 per kW installed as a penalty per month on the bill.
Utah I think got a flat rate of $5.50 per month penalty.
Nevada did a study that showed solar contributed $35 million to the grid, so they just raised the connection fee for "everyone" by $2.50.

There is a huge battle that has yet to play out.

[russ]

. I have a huge amount of animosity towards "most" utilities, especially about the way they are fighting solar and trying to penalize folks that are installing it.

First they offer incentives, then they cry about too much solar being installed. They are seeing their business model crumbling before their eyes.

There is a huge battle that has yet to play out.

Actually the politicians make them offer the incentives for political or Al Gore reasons - the utilities don't want or need it.

Battle? There are a relative handful of solar PV users. The ones fighting will be the sales companies and manufacturers - for their own gain.

[Sunking]

I actually work in the power industry, my company is known as an IPP, Independent power producer. We own power plants and sell power to the utilities. I have a huge amount of animosity towards "most" utilities, especially about the way they are fighting solar and trying to penalize folks that are installing it.

First they offer incentives, then they cry about too much solar being installed. They are seeing their business model crumbling before their eyes.

Arizona was able to get, I believe, $.60 per kW installed as a penalty per month on the bill.
Utah I think got a flat rate of $5.50 per month penalty.
Nevada did a study that showed solar contributed $35 million to the grid, so they just raised the connection fee for "everyone" by $2.50.

There is a huge battle that has yet to play out.

Browndog why should utilities pay retail? Why should they pay a dime for a homeowners system? If in fact the utilities model is falling apart like you claim, you will loose your job because they would not need to buy anything from your company. All it does is artificially raise electric rates on all rate payers. Utilities did not volunteer for any of this, it was forced and mandated upon them. I would fight back too like anyone would.

[Browndog]

Actually the politicians make them offer the incentives for political or Al Gore reasons - the utilities don't want or need it.

Battle? There are a relative handful of solar PV users. The ones fighting will be the sales companies and manufacturers - for their own gain.

Agree and agree