Solar Panels Make Meter Run Backwards

Many people want to know if and how the power meter will run backwards after a solar power system is installed so the following article was written to explain the answer to this commonly asked question.

Solar panels make meter run backwards.

But as you will see below the true answer depends on your local power utility or retail electricity provider and their specific solar buyback agreement. No solar panels. So in the process the existing installed kw hr meter of the homeowner should slow down and stop and then reverse it s direction indicating that the energy flow is moving away coming from another power source which is the homeowner s solar pv panels which is true even though he she is not using yet the net metering scheme of the utility power company or the so called bi directional kw hr meter and as such the homeowner should be compensated for. The fact is in an age where digital meters are predominant the process of spinning the meter backward is more of a figurative term to help consumers better understand the process that takes place.

They will make the meter run backwards also. We ve been contacted by owners of solar pv panels who have experienced their electricity usage meters otherwise known as supply or mains meters running backwards. Suppliers usually err on the conservative side with back bills like this. Excess power produced by your solar system is pushed back to the electric grid for a credit lowering the amount you pay the utility company.

Take the case of paula owen who says. If you have an old analogue electricity meter and a solar pv system installed you may sometimes find you meter running backwards. If you have a very old electricity meter a new rooftop solar installation can make that meter run backwards. This means you get no solar benefits while you wait for the new meter to be installed.

But only if the solar power system is switched on before a new compatible meter is installed. This means that whenever the solar panels are exporting to the grid because the panels are generating electricity that s not being used in the home the mains electricity meter starts turning backwards. The problem occurs when the electricity generated by the solar panels is exported to the grid as part of a scheme called the feed in tariff which pays people for electricity they produce at home making the meter run in reverse. In queensland new south wales victoria and south australia your installer is meant to switch off your solar power system after it has been commissioned.

You can find out more about the issue of meters running backwards in our full guide. When i find meters running backwards with solar panels they will estimate a bill on past usage or even just do a few weeks with the new meter on an average.