Hi folks,
am wondering if I have grounds to complain to the CRU (https://www.cru.ie/make-a-complaint/complain-to-your-energy-provider/) because ESB Networks refused (and still refuse) to accept the NC6 form submitted by the solar installers. The reason for rejecting the form is that the name and phone number does not match the account holder. The form's MPRN and address was correct but has my name whereas ESB Networks had only my wife's name and number.
Timeline
2021: I have an old day & night meter and was not aware of 'deemed export'.
2021: Installed 18 solar panel (7kW peak) with a 5kW inverter.
2022: Phone ESB networks to ask to be prioritized for a smart meter ... they said that there weren't updating day and night yet
2022: Phone Electric Ireland to put my name on the the account (they call this a 'note of authority', is needed for proof of residence, not related to solar)
2023: All my neigbours without solar now have a smart meter so I phone ESB again and they post a letter saying the meter is coming
2023: Phone again, same thing happens again (letter in post) but then nothing
2024: Phone more frequently and in early summer get contact details of contractors they are sending to install the meter
2024: Smart Meter is installed in early July and phone Electic Ireland to ensure that I will finally get paid for exports.
- They say that I am not registered as a solar exporter and I need to contact the solar installers.
- Solar installers say that did submit and esb probably lost it.
- Email networkservicesbureau@esb.ie who say that they rejected the NC6 form because of incorrect nane and phone number and I need to get my installers to resubmit.
- I request by email and phone my solar installers to resubmit the form but nothing happens
- I email networkservicesbureau@esb.ie to request the original form, get the form and change the name and phone number of my wife details
- I email networkservicesbureau@esb.ie with the updated form and asked for 1) confirmation that the issue is resolved 2) if I can get paid retrospectively due to
-- Get a reply saying no I won't be paid retrospectively ... since they didn't mention 1), I thought it must be OK
- A month later I check my esbnetworks and electric-ireland accounts and see that although the smart meter is showing exports, no exports are shown in my accounts
- Yesterday phoned ESB and am told that I am still not registered.
- I email networkservicesbureau@esb.ie requesting my status and if not OK then why did they not say so when I submitted the updated form.
- I get a quick reply 'As per my previous email we require an updated NC6 form signed from a safe electric electrician.' I take this to mean that I can't submit the form on behalf of the installers.
Seems to me that ESB has a strong incentive to make this as difficult as possible (they save money by not paying exporters to the grid ... nothing to do with Electric Ireland). I don't think the solar installers had a legal obligation to submit the form and aren't helping (3 years later they have no incentive to get involved again).
I hope this serves as a warning to anyone else getting solar to be sure to give their exact account details to their installer.
Anyone think I have grounds to complain? Are they legally entitled to reject the form due to a clerical error ?
am wondering if I have grounds to complain to the CRU (https://www.cru.ie/make-a-complaint/complain-to-your-energy-provider/) because ESB Networks refused (and still refuse) to accept the NC6 form submitted by the solar installers. The reason for rejecting the form is that the name and phone number does not match the account holder. The form's MPRN and address was correct but has my name whereas ESB Networks had only my wife's name and number.
Timeline
2021: I have an old day & night meter and was not aware of 'deemed export'.
2021: Installed 18 solar panel (7kW peak) with a 5kW inverter.
2022: Phone ESB networks to ask to be prioritized for a smart meter ... they said that there weren't updating day and night yet
2022: Phone Electric Ireland to put my name on the the account (they call this a 'note of authority', is needed for proof of residence, not related to solar)
2023: All my neigbours without solar now have a smart meter so I phone ESB again and they post a letter saying the meter is coming
2023: Phone again, same thing happens again (letter in post) but then nothing
2024: Phone more frequently and in early summer get contact details of contractors they are sending to install the meter
2024: Smart Meter is installed in early July and phone Electic Ireland to ensure that I will finally get paid for exports.
- They say that I am not registered as a solar exporter and I need to contact the solar installers.
- Solar installers say that did submit and esb probably lost it.
- Email networkservicesbureau@esb.ie who say that they rejected the NC6 form because of incorrect nane and phone number and I need to get my installers to resubmit.
- I request by email and phone my solar installers to resubmit the form but nothing happens
- I email networkservicesbureau@esb.ie to request the original form, get the form and change the name and phone number of my wife details
- I email networkservicesbureau@esb.ie with the updated form and asked for 1) confirmation that the issue is resolved 2) if I can get paid retrospectively due to
-- Get a reply saying no I won't be paid retrospectively ... since they didn't mention 1), I thought it must be OK
- A month later I check my esbnetworks and electric-ireland accounts and see that although the smart meter is showing exports, no exports are shown in my accounts
- Yesterday phoned ESB and am told that I am still not registered.
- I email networkservicesbureau@esb.ie requesting my status and if not OK then why did they not say so when I submitted the updated form.
- I get a quick reply 'As per my previous email we require an updated NC6 form signed from a safe electric electrician.' I take this to mean that I can't submit the form on behalf of the installers.
Seems to me that ESB has a strong incentive to make this as difficult as possible (they save money by not paying exporters to the grid ... nothing to do with Electric Ireland). I don't think the solar installers had a legal obligation to submit the form and aren't helping (3 years later they have no incentive to get involved again).
I hope this serves as a warning to anyone else getting solar to be sure to give their exact account details to their installer.
Anyone think I have grounds to complain? Are they legally entitled to reject the form due to a clerical error ?