ENERGY METERS > EXPORT METERS
Business Export Meter Service
When your business generates excess electricity from solar panels, that energy is exported back to the grid. To ensure you are paid correctly, your export must be measured through a registered export meter and linked to the appropriate export arrangement.
At Flame Energy, we support businesses in setting up and managing export infrastructure, ensuring you are on the right tariff, with the correct metering and billing structure in place.
This is a key part of securing the best solar export tariff UK for your site and maximising the value of your renewable generation.
What Is an Export Meter?
An export meter records the amount of electricity your business sends back to the grid from onsite generation such as solar PV or battery systems.
Unlike your import meter, which tracks electricity you consume, the export meter ensures every exported kilowatt-hour is measured and eligible for payment under your export agreement.
Most modern systems use smart metering technology capable of half-hourly readings, which is required for accurate export billing under today’s energy market arrangements.
What Is an Export MPAN?
Your export MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number) is a unique identifier assigned to your export connection.
It is essential for:
- Registering your export with an energy supplier
- Setting up Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) or private export tariffs
- Ensuring correct payment for exported energy
Without an export MPAN, your system cannot be properly registered for export payments. This is typically issued by your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) once your solar installation has been commissioned.
Getting the Best Solar Export Tariff UK Businesses Can Access
Choosing the right export arrangement is just as important as installing solar panels.
The best solar export tariff UK businesses can access will depend on:
- Export volumes (how much energy you generate)
- Consumption profile (how much you use onsite)
- Whether you have battery storage
- Time-of-use vs fixed export pricing
- Supplier eligibility criteria
Some tariffs reward exporting during peak demand periods, while others offer a fixed rate for all exported energy. Selecting the right structure can significantly increase annual revenue from your solar system.
We help businesses compare and structure export agreements to maximise returns based on their operational profile.
Understanding MOP, DC and DA Charges
For commercial export customers, metering comes with additional industry charges that are often not clearly understood.
These typically include:
MOP (Meter Operator)
The MOP is responsible for installing and maintaining your export meter and ensuring it functions correctly.
DC (Data Collector)
The Data Collector retrieves half-hourly meter readings and validates the data used for billing.
DA (Data Aggregator)
The Data Aggregator processes and formats export data so it can be used for settlement and supplier billing.
These services ensure your export data is accurate and compliant within the UK electricity market.
Together, they form part of your wider metering and settlement structure and are often bundled into your commercial energy contract.
Why Export Setup Matters
A correctly configured export system ensures:
- You receive full payment for exported electricity
- Your export MPAN is correctly registered
- Meter data is accurate and validated
- You are placed on the most suitable export tariff
- No lost or unbilled generation
Incorrect setup can delay payments or reduce export revenue, particularly in commercial installations with higher generation volumes.
How We Help
Flame Energy supports businesses with end-to-end export setup, including:
- Export meter configuration and validation
- Tariff comparison and optimisation
- MOP / DC / DA appointment management
- Export revenue forecasting
- Ongoing export performance monitoring
We ensure your system is not only installed correctly but also fully optimised commercially.
Speak to an Export Specialist
If your business is generating solar energy or planning a new installation, we can help you maximise export income and ensure your metering is fully compliant.
Contact Flame Energy today to review your export setup and secure the most suitable export arrangement for your site.
Solar Panels
Solar panels produce energy and reduce your carbon footprint. We’ll help you install solar panels on your site.
Sustainability
The carbon footprint of your business is more important than ever. We can help you reduce your environmental impact.
Batteries
Battery storage enables you to store any excess energy generated. Flame Energy will help you install your own batteries.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You can get smart export meters which mean they will send automatic reads to the supplier. You can also get NHH/HH export meters which will mean the exports will be monitored and you can get paid accordingly.
Most suppliers request a HH export meter so that they can see the usage every half hour. This is the most accurate one.
When you get Solar installed your local DNO (distributor) will produce an export MPAN
You will need to contact your solar installer or the local distributor.
Given market conditions not all suppliers are offering this at the moment but there are a select few approved suppliers that we use that will pay you on your exported energy.
This depends on the size of your panels and how much energy you use/generate. The bigger the panel size and area will mean more is generated. Some of which you will use, the excess you can export if it’s not stored elsewhere – i.e battery.
This fluctuates depending on market conditions but the suppliers we’re using at the moment are offering between 3 and 5 p/kwh.
To monitor the exported energy from your solar panels or the excess energy generated that you do not use you will need an export facility. Sometimes we can connect remotely and sometimes we’ll need to physically change the meter
