[RE-wrenches] mechanical vs. electronic kwh meter

[Joel Davidson]

Electronic meters always work in favor of the utility company. Mechanical meters can be ratcheted 1-way or unratcheted bi-directional. Bi-directional meters can be calibrated accurately. Meters are the utility's cash registers. Businesses get very angry if you touch or even look closely at their cash registers. The recession has resulted in more business closings and home foreclosures which means fewer utility meters and less revenue so utility companies are watching their meters very closely. Utility workers are also concerned about bi-directional electricity flow safety. LADWP's revised solar program says if the PV system meter shows 10 hours or more PV production before the net-meter is placed, then the customer forfeits the rebate and the contractor can be taken off the approved installers list. It often takes Southern California Edison 6 to 8 weeks place a meter on a PV system. LADWP is even slower. Yet new non-PV services get meters/cash registers placed usually within 3 days. Expect strong pushback if you try to fight your electric utility's meter policy. You're better off making friends so that they place meters on your jobs quickly.

Joel Davidson

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Kirk Herander 
  To: RE-wrenches 
  Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 6:45 AM
  Subject: [RE-wrenches] mechanical vs. electronic kwh meter


  Hello,

   

  I am now in a debate with the metering dept. of a local utility. They don't want a PV system to be energized and tested until a bidirectional electronic meter is installed. They insist that an old plain Jane mechanical meter can be damaged and is a safety concern if power is pushed through it (its running backwards) to the grid. I have never heard of, witnessed, or been told this by any utility or AHJ inspector until now. Have any of you ever?

   

  I don't know the reason for their paranoia. I assume that many utility districts don't to this day install bidirectional electronic meters. And rely on the original mechanical meter to count backwards reliably and safely.  

   

  Kirk Herander

  VT Solar, LLC

  dba Vermont Solar Engineering

  NABCEPTM Certified installer Charter Member

  NYSERDA-eligible Installer

  VT RE Incentive Program Partner

   



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