Sell your energy

Heard about making money by generating your own electricity? Let's try & put this into perspective.

Utility companies are required to source a percentage of their energy from renewable energy providers, to assist in cutting carbon dioxide emissions. Energy companies will buy the surplus electricity created from a Solar PV system as this helps the energy supplier to meet their requirement.

During daylight hours, the electricity generated by the Solar Photovoltaic (solar PV) system will supply the home and any energy produced which is not required will be sold to the nominated electricity supplier through an approved import/export meter. During periods of high energy use in the home, or when the Solar PV system is unproductive, electricity can be bought back from the network to supplement the Solar PV power supply.

If you are considering installing or have had a renewable technology commissioned which creates electricity, such as a Solar Photovoltaic Electricity, it is likely you will be able to get paid for the electricity it generates. Most of the major utility providers offer a buy back scheme which can often be easy and quick to join.

How do you get paid? - via a teriff, or fee for the electricity you generate. there are two types of tariff to consider

Export Tariffs - You will only be paid for the electricity generated that is exported back to the National Grid and therefore not used in the property.

Generation Tariffs - You will be paid for all the electricity that you generate, regardless whether it is used in the property, this is usually a lower tariff than the export tariff.

To ensure you chose the right package for your needs, carefully check the details with each utility provider to ensure it is the correct buy back tariff for you and it meets your needs.

There are other points to consider relating to the newly introduced Feed in Tariffs (FITs) and Renewable Obligation Certificates, but that's for another day.

As always, before embarking on any implementation of such you should take considered advice from experts. In terms of the efficiencies of making these installations in your home, an Energy adviser should be able to help. The Utility companies will be able to advise on tariffs in your area.

finally a word of warning. some of the less reputable installation companies are now offering free installation of PV or solar hot water to give you improved energy use in your home. BUT... you would typically sign over to them the tariff payments for future electricity you generate from the installation, and in the long run, this will make you more money than the cost savings on offer, so consider such things very carefully.