Can the electric company detect my usage?

**Brizzy** · 07-17-2012, 12:43 AM

I'm considering buying a 5000w solar panel system. Pricey but worthwhile. The system is grid-tied, meaning the electric company will supply me with extra energy if need be, or that the electric company will pay me for the wattage left over. My only concern is if Im running 3000w in the grow room I obviously need to keep my power usage hidden. So with a grid-tied system, can the electric company/feds tell how much power I have in all or how much Im using? Or will they just see that Im using my own energy with no details of how much? Please, informative responses only. Thanks in advance

**reggaerican** · 07-17-2012, 01:29 AM

I think youll be ok man the smart meters only read one way..

**F A B** · 07-17-2012, 03:04 AM

or just dont grid connect or install a disconnect but no u dont have to worry its your power if u want to use it up thats your business
they cant ? why u dont sell them more power if u own it

**lvtokerr** · 07-17-2012, 09:05 AM

I think you'll be fine with less than ten lights.

**hotrodharley** · 07-17-2012, 09:41 AM

That small a wattage probably will not draw any attention from a human. A computer scanning records? Who knows? Bet you're safe and no worries.

**hotrodharley** · 07-17-2012, 09:45 AM

BTW, have you considered LED lights if you are going to spend big money? Less heat, narrower spectrums and many now offer the option of changing the colors from the blues to the reds as plant growth proceeds.

**MidnightToter** · 07-17-2012, 11:18 PM

OK you are making me think, but I believe the rate is something like 6 cent per kilo-watt hour. So if you look at your meter for day or so you can read how many KW/h u use in a day. Multiply that by .6 and you should have in dollars what you pay in a day. But the real key to power companies is normacy. If your bill is consistenly at $300 dollars a month They take that as normal. When your bill spikes is when they start to pay attention. But if you start out with them as normal with your grow room going then they will accept that as the norm, almost like a benchmark. Because you started at that usage they will see no spike and not be alarmed

**reggaerican** · 07-18-2012, 12:36 AM

what sucks about the smart meters is they know your usage per hr not daily.. so it doesnt take much to know your a grow house from the norm.. the key is to always pay your bill on time so you dont raise any flags and give reason for them to question what your doing..
lol. dont know why I said that its irevilent to you going solar.. someone might find it usefull..
cheers

**scooby419** · 07-18-2012, 10:44 AM

Will there ever be a point where you need to draw power from the grid with a system that large? If you have your 12/12 lights set to be on during the actual daylight hours the system will keep charged throughout the peak usage time. Keep your usage fairly consistent and you should be fine. I think they concern themselves more with discrepancies from their buying customers vs those who generate extra power for the utility company.