Solar PV: the benefits of having Solar Panels in your home
What is Solar PV and what meters do you need in order to measure it?
What meter do you need for Solar PV?
To determine which type of electric meter you need for a solar PV system, you will need to consider several factors, including the size of your PV system, the regulations in your area, the type of electrical service you have and last but not least, you must ensure the electricity meter you choose is compatible with the Solar Inverter you will be having installed. In most cases, a bidirectional meter is the most suitable option for a solar PV system.
A bidirectional meter, also known as a net meter, is an electric meter that can measure electricity flowing in both directions (import and export). This type of meter is typically used for renewable energy systems, such as solar PV, wind turbine systems and heat pumps, where the electricity generated by the system can be fed back into the grid.
At Smart Process most of our meters are bidirectional. If you’re unsure if your meter is bidirectional, you can check the datasheet or ask one of our friendly members in the technical team for assistance.
Why Should you invest in solar PV?
There are several reasons why you might want to consider installing a solar PV system, including:
Environmental benefits: Solar PV systems generate electricity using a clean, renewable energy source, which means they can help reduce your carbon footprint and decrease your reliance on fossil fuels.
Cost savings: Solar PV systems can help you save money on your electricity bills by allowing you to generate your own power. In some cases, you may even be able to sell excess electricity back to the grid, further offsetting your costs. However, it’s cheaper these days (with the soaring energy prices) to install a battery within your Solar PV system in order to store energy that you can use during your peak tariff times, rather than selling the energy to the grid and buying it back at a more expensive price.
Financial incentives: Many governments offer financial incentives, such as tax credits and rebates, to encourage people to install solar PV systems. These incentives can help reduce the upfront cost of a solar PV installation, making it more affordable.
Increased property value: In many cases, a solar PV system can increase the value of your property. This can be especially beneficial if you are planning to sell your home in the future which a lot of people do when they get older.
Energy independence: Solar PV systems allow you to generate your own electricity, which can provide a sense of energy independence and security. This can be especially important in areas with unreliable or expensive electricity grids. This is important nowadays with the government in the United Kingdom saying that there maybe blackouts. If you also have a battery storage system linked with your Solar PV system, you can effectively become your own energy provider in times of power cuts and won’t need to walk round the house with a torch like everyone else!
Conclusion
Solar PV has many benefits when installed on your house and it is great for the environment so it’s a win-win situation. Save money. Save hassle in the event of a power cut, this list of benefits goes on! Having Solar PV installed on your property will require you to have a bidirectional meter so you can, not only monitor what you generate but have the option to sell it back to the grid and accurately measure WHAT you are sending back. There are not many negatives to having a solar PV system installed and whatever negative you may find, the positives definitely outweigh them