Smart meters unlock half-hourly data — useful for solar households if you actually read the numbers.
Export vs import on the display
In-home displays show import clearly; export may need supplier apps or portal graphs. SEG payments rely on export meter data — reconcile monthly statements against inverter app totals to catch registration errors early.
At commissioning
Photograph meter serial numbers, note export MPAN, and confirm the meter records export before the installer leaves. Some households discover export was not configured until the first SEG payment fails to arrive.
Tariff switching after solar
Post-installation, retail tariffs with strong off-peak rates may beat legacy flat rates. Time-of-use products reward shifting laundry and EV charging — but punish peak use. Re-evaluate when your first full year of generation is known.
| Signal | Possible cause |
|---|---|
| High night import despite solar | Evening loads, no battery, old tariff |
| Export on app but not on bill | SEG registration or MPAN mismatch |
| Negative readings | Meter configuration — contact supplier |
Data and third-party apps
Smart meter data flows to suppliers for billing; some offer APIs for deeper analysis. Third-party solar apps may integrate inverter and meter data — useful dashboards, another account to secure.
The inverter app shows generation; only the meter proves export for SEG. Compare both monthly.
Year-one habits
- Photograph meter readings at commissioning and monthly for year one.
- Set alerts for unexpected night-time import spikes.
- Keep MCS and SEG paperwork with meter serial numbers.
Citizens Advice explains smart meter rights and complaints routes.
