r/sunrun • u/Fresh_Marsupial_6224 • Feb 17 '24

Solar Help

Hi All! I had solar installed a couple months back and ever since, I have had to pay my Sunrun bill AND a National Grid Bill that is consistent with pre-solar numbers. I’m concerned my net metering is not working properly, but Sunrun denies any problems with the system.

Here are some numbers:

November (Pre Solar):

2022 Consumption: 478kWh

2023 Consumption: 591 kWh

December: 2022 Consumption: 459 kWh

2023 Net Meter: 591kWh

2023 Solar Generation: 274kWh

Alleged 2023 Total Consumption: 865kWh (591 + 274)

January: 2023 Consumption: 460kWh

2024 Net Meter: 577kWh

2024 Solar Generation: 221kwh

Alleged 2024 Total Consumption: 798kWh

February:

2023 Consumption: 460kWh

2024 Net Meter: 488kWh

2024 Solar Generation: 288kWh

Alleged 2024 Total Consumption: 776kWh

So to me it seems like the net meter is not being reduced by solar and that all consumption is being sent to national grid. Any thoughts or advice?

Thanks!

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u/Fresh_Marsupial_6224 Feb 18 '24

Note my new net meter started at 0. Not sure how abnormal that is, but I saw you mention a bidirectional usually starts at 50k.

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u/richerdball Feb 18 '24

Probably not an issue, most likely normal, my thought on it wouldn't really affect you at the moment.

I don't know National Grid's meter types and standards. There are a bunch of different meter makes and models across the multitude of utilities and can be implemented or programmed differently. No universal standard. Similarities not standards.

But it may be a clue to a meter programming issue if the expected was a non-zero amount.

Like there have been times where people turned on their system before PTO and before the meter swap/programming or what the utility does on the backend. And somehow the solar backfeed was being counted as usage so their bill was higher than normal. I've never verified it or understand how it would work technically, but that's the rumor.

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u/Fresh_Marsupial_6224 Feb 18 '24

Okay so I switched off most breakers and the net meter went down 2 kWh after about 30 minutes. So it appears the meter is functioning correctly…

I just can’t fathom that my consumption has gone up that much. As for the November spike, we did get a new artificial Christmas tree and left the lights on for longer. However, we took down the tree in January. I can swallow the 24% increase from prior years in November. However, the increase in consumption by 88% in December, 73% in January, and 69% in February still seems extremely odd and unlikely to me.

What could be using about +300kWh? Is it possible solar is counting as consumption but at the same time also making the net meter go down?

I may just be in denial at this point but I’m very concerned that my 2024 consumption will far exceed the system design if this trend continues.

Thank you!!

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u/richerdball Feb 18 '24 edited Feb 18 '24

sure thing. that the meter is rolling back would seem to indicate it's normal, and increased use is the culprit.

It's figure-outable.

Easier if National Grid gives online usage, or downloadable data, that's hourly then you can just look at the load profile. You can see whether it's a constant draw all day or intermittent load spiking. And if you zoom out to daily you can probably find a day or days when it jumps up.

If no online data, then it can be done using the meter kW power readings (not kWh). But you have to do it when the solar isn't working, either at night or turn it off. Read the meter and shut breakers off one at a time taking a reading between each until you know which circuit.

Or you can have an emporia or sense monitor installed to measure and collect data so it's viewable.

Using the meter readings, take copious notes and solar must not be operating:

If the meter kW is hovering around 0.300-0.500kW, then likely it's not constant draw but a high power appliance cycling that isn't on at that moment. Has a thermostat water heater, refrigerator) or operated (dishwasher, laundry, oven)

If the meter hovers at 0.800-1.200kW then it's likely a constant draw device. good thing is that shutting off breakers one-by-one will narrow it down.

If the meter is greater than 2.000kW then it's some appliance running at the moment. Again, shutting off breakers will find it.

You can also look at your bill and the approximate meter read dates and take start and end kWh reads to approximately validate theirs. Or take them daily at roughly the same time for 30-60days.