What Is Export Metering and How Does It Apply to Commercial Solar Panels?

Butcombe Brewery solar array delivered by Eden Sustainable

A solar system often generates more electricity than is needed on-site, whether for domestic or commercial use. This short blog takes a closer look at how that energy surplus may affect a commercial solar installation.

A Potential Income Source

Whilst domestic installations can benefit from schemes such as the Smart Export Guarantee offered by many energy suppliers, commercial installations typically approach surplus energy differently. For businesses, this surplus - often referred to as export - can become a valuable income stream through an Export Power Purchase Agreement (Export PPA).

Energy suppliers are willing to purchase your excess electricity at a competitive rate, provided that the system qualifies and the appropriate infrastructure is in place. Let’s dig a little deeper into the export metering process for commercial solar systems, including eligibility, metering requirements, and contractual considerations.

Modelling Export Potential Before Installation

To predict whether your solar system will generate enough surplus electricity to be sold back to the grid, forecast performance data points can be extracted from the system’s pre-construction modelling. These figures typically include annual generation, onsite self-consumption, and projected grid export.

This early-stage analysis offers a valuable indication of the system’s potential to qualify for an Export PPA. The threshold for suppliers to offer an Export PPA can vary between suppliers. Typically, the higher the amount of exported power, the better the commercial terms.

Checking Import Meter Compatibility for Export

During or prior to the installation process, it is important to confirm whether the existing import meter on site has the capability to be reconfigured for export. This can typically be clarified by speaking with the current import energy supplier. If the import meter is export-capable, it can often be reprogrammed remotely or during a scheduled visit, which avoids the cost and disruption of installing an entirely separate export meter.

O&M Co-ordinator Rosie Robinson-Jones meeting with clients

Understanding the Role of Meter Operators (MOPs)

Once a site is confirmed for export and an export supplier is engaged, it is essential to appoint an Export Meter Operator. Most commercial sites will already have an Import Meter Operator in place, usually appointed by the import energy supplier, and it is often easiest to ask this operator to adopt the Export MOP role as well. The MOP is responsible for installing, maintaining, and managing the technical data from the meter, ensuring it communicates correctly with data collectors and aggregators.

Appointing the same operator for both import and export metering helps ensure compatibility, reduces administration, and allows both data streams to be managed consistently. The relevant MOP contracts must be in place before export can begin, and once agreed, the technical flows can be established to transmit export data and allow payments to be issued by the export supplier.

Export PPA Agreements and Payments

Once the export meter is in place and communicating correctly, an Export PPA can be finalised with your chosen export supplier. This agreement sets out the rate at which your exported electricity will be purchased, typically on a pence-per-kWh basis. Export PPA rates are considered competitive within the UK market and are usually reviewed annually. Rates can vary depending on market conditions, contract length, system size, and the export volume.

For the agreement to function smoothly, all MOP contracts must be in place and data flows correctly established between the meter, the appointed data collector, and the export supplier. Once this setup is complete, export readings will be transmitted automatically, and payments will be issued according to the agreed schedule-typically monthly or quarterly.

Export income offers a reliable and consistent return, especially for systems that regularly generate more electricity than they consume on-site. When correctly configured, export metering can significantly enhance the financial performance of a commercial solar installation.

Powering a more sustainable future.

There are lots of considerations to ensure that a commercial solar installation is able to benefit from any energy surplus. Eden Sustainable routinely guides clients through this process, using our in-house experts. If you’re thinking about making the switch to a more sustainable energy future, then contact us via our website and we’d love to help you unlock the benefits.