Paphos Life

Hi, all, I think I've lost it, lost it completely. Put it down to age. Briefly, my PV system came to life in the middle of May, approaching halfway through and EAC invoicing.. The results don't compare with what I had anticipated! I tried to use the same period last year as a reference, even though I knew the weather conditions and my usage were different.

The first difference was the billing period. In 2022, it was from 20 April to 26 June (67 days) and in 2023 it was from 30 April to 16 June (48 days). I therefore used a multiplier of 0.72 on the 2022 figures so that the period was effectively the same. Obviously the weather has been very different this year so are talking of an approximation of probably ± 20% (positive, more sun; negative, higher temperature et cetera, last year). So, my total consumption last year was 945×0.72 effectively about 680 kWh.

This year, the EAC billed me for 589 kWh and the PV system generated an approximate 546 kWh for the last 32 days of the period. By my reckoning, the total input to the system during the whole of the last period was 589+546 = 1135 kilowatt hours, which seems plain ridiculous.

I'm obviously misinterpreting something and it's driving me bonkers. Can anyone help an ancient idiot to understand what is happening, please?

What were the actual meter readings?

The first bill of EAC after one installed a PV system is always very confusing as partly the old tariff counts and partly the new tariff after PV was running. That's first. Next difference can appear with the time on your billing and the time actually the meter was read. It sometimes varies 10 days or so.

Anyhow with the next bill it will be more clear.

What your figures are wrong is the fact that your reading of 546 kWh you produced from PV you have to deduct from your consumption in the house which is not possible without having a smart meter installed. So you produced 546 kWh and your meter will count only the difference what you produced and consumed on your credit reading (05)

Max

Devil wrote: ↑Thu Jun 22, 2023 2:43 pm Hi, all, I think I've lost it, lost it completely.

This year, the EAC billed me for 589 kWh and the PV system generated an approximate 546 kWh for the last 32 days of the period. By my reckoning, the total input to the system during the whole of the last period was 589+546 = 1135 kilowatt hours, which seems plain ridiculous.

I'm obviously misinterpreting something and it's driving me bonkers. Can anyone help an ancient idiot to understand what is happening, please?

yes you are right it is ridiculous... you are adding a consumption figure to a generation figure...

It looks like you think that the amount you get billed is your total energy consumption less the amount you generate ... but thats not how the bills work at all.

And yes I know its called the net metering arrangement.. but the EAC do not bill you for net useage ..

Dominic has asked for the actual meter readings ( for Input and Export) and with these and the actual figures for the amount generated in the period (through your app / Inverter) its a lot easier to explain what is going on.

Max is also right that the first period when the PV gets turned on is the most confusing.. partly down to a new meter being instaled which starts recording consumption before the PV system is turned on..

Just to add a little bit of charcoal to the smouldering fire, I asked a question to the EAC. To their credit, they answered promptly with the following message. Is it surprising that I am bewildered?

-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: RE: a/c 560 784 0000 1 - application no. 499013131
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:26:31 +0000
From: Supply Larnaka <[email protected]>
To: b
Dear Mr.

Good morning!

As we have been informed by the Network (DSO) Department, the photovoltaic system has not been connected because it failed to pass the installation inspection.
Please contact your electrician to arrange for a re-test.

Regards
SUPPLY DEPARTMENT LARNACA

Devil wrote: ↑Fri Jun 23, 2023 5:39 pm Just to add a little bit of charcoal to the smouldering fire, I asked a question to the EAC. To their credit, they answered promptly with the following message. Is it surprising that I am bewildered?

-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: RE: a/c 560 784 0000 1 - application no. 499013131
Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2023 07:26:31 +0000
From: Supply Larnaka <[email protected]>
To: b
Dear Mr.

Good morning!

As we have been informed by the Network (DSO) Department, the photovoltaic system has not been connected because it failed to pass the installation inspection.
Please contact your electrician to arrange for a re-test.

Regards
SUPPLY DEPARTMENT LARNACA

If you are generating electricity you have to be connected to the grid - either legally or illegally.. I suggest you go back to your installer to sort out what is going on.. Presumably they were there when the EAC came along to check the installation..

mark4007 wrote: ↑Sat Jun 24, 2023 8:44 am Presumably they were there when the EAC came along to check the installation..

I haven't seen anyone from the EAC since the Fronius box was installed. The installer said that it was not necessary because their previous inspection would be sufficient. He was wrong and therefore I was wrong.

at the risk of further disappearing down this rabbit hole...

the normal course of an installation of a PV system under the net metering arrangement is

appoint an installer
apply to EAC to enter Net metering arrangement
EAC grants approval sends Net Metering arrangement agreement out
net metering arrangement agreement signed by customer sent back to EAC
installer installs PV modules and inverter
installer/EAC arrange date for inspection by EAC
new replacement meter installed by EAC
EAC inspection (normally installer attends in case of any issues)
EAC approval granted and PV inveter / modules switched on
old bills for old meter received
new bills for new meter received
application for RES grant made

sounds like this hasnt happened in your case.. but do you know if and when any of these steps happened in your case (or indeed what other steps have happened?)

The supplier failed to keep its promise to handle things with the EAC. This is the end of a series of prevarications from that source, for an unknown reason.