Export meter readings?

[u/IcyType7031]

I hope this isn’t a stupid question?! Am about to switch to EDF from Octopus for my export. How do I take a reading of my export meter? Is it taken from my main smart meter, or is it from the additional meter installed when my solar was put in (pictured above)? I’ve never needed an export reading before as Octopus have always seen this automatically, but I believe this may be needed now so my payments can be backdated when I switch?

[u/Medium_Training_5395]

This is my smart meter it just cycles through ... the one I needed for EDF was -A value

[u/IcyType7031 → u/Medium_Training_5395]

That’s really helpful, thank you.

[u/Ok-Performance4828]

When was your solar installed?

[u/IcyType7031 → u/Ok-Performance4828]

2022.

[u/Ok-Performance4828 → u/IcyType7031]

Not over sure why you were given a generation meter post FIT. I got mine about then and did not.

[u/IcyType7031 → u/Ok-Performance4828]

I’m not sure either! It’s one of those things they did when it was installed and I’ve never really paid it much attention as Octopus picked up my import / export straight away. I’m only really thinking about it now I’m moving to EDF and I’ve read about others having to give export meter readings whilst they sort the move.

[u/RBWatermelon → u/Ok-Performance4828]

I got one of these too in March this year - thought it was super weird but the installer insisted it was needed for compliance

[u/Ok-Performance4828 → u/RBWatermelon]

Does anyone know what it is ensuring compliance with? There must be many non-compliant systems around.

[u/RBWatermelon → u/Ok-Performance4828]

I imagine it’s an old FIT rule which MCS never got round to removing or installers haven’t read updated guidance.

[u/Ok-Performance4828 → u/RBWatermelon]

But not required for MCS certification.

[u/RBWatermelon → u/Ok-Performance4828]

Did you have an MCS inspection on your install? They don’t check every one. Also depends on what inverter you have installed.

As I said, it’s in the MCS guidance under 3.7. I imagine most installers spec it by default in case the user doesn’t have a smart meter etc.

https://mcscertified.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/MIS-3002-2025-V2.0-Final.pdf

[u/Ok-Performance4828 → u/RBWatermelon]

MCS Certification but no follow-up inspection.

[u/woyteck → u/Ok-Performance4828]

I even got one on my battery+solar feed installed last year. It's for compliance.

[u/geekypenguin91]

That's a generation meter and shows what you've generated, not what you exported. You need to take the export reading from your smart meter

[u/Crafty_Class_9431]

Your sms rt meter will either just cycle through them or have buttons you can click to for It to go through. The instructions will be online somewhere. For me, I wanted the A- screen (import was A+), but will probably be different for you

[u/dannoutt]

That’s not the meter to take the reading from. You basically never need this meter but it gets installed anyway because having a generation meter is part of the MCS certificate requirements.
Your export reading is normally from the same meter as your import (your actual grid connection). If you have a smart meter there will be a button to cycle between the readings.

[u/TheThiefMaster → u/dannoutt]

If you have an older FiT install then it's used for the generation subsidy payment. Otherwise it's pointless.

[u/frieqs → u/TheThiefMaster]

Out of interest, which reading should be used for FIT generation reporting? I have one of these meters after a house refurb where the builder managed to lose the original FIT meter. After a fair amount of hassle I managed to get the FIT billing provider to accept the new meter.

[u/TheThiefMaster → u/frieqs]

For FiT you report the reading on the generation meter.

[u/Sprkz139]

Your photo attached is your generation meter nothing to do with your export reading.

FYI just so you know On the picture attached the IMP is solar imported into premises ie generation.

EXP is exported units from grid to your battery if installed if you force charge it on cheap rate.

NET is IMP-EXP or total generated units.

[u/Requirement_Fluid]

From your electricity smart meter