New Bidirectional Meter: Why Communication with Your Storage System Is Crucial

Mar 7, 2026

In Germany, the expansion of renewable energies is progressing, and the new bidirectional meter plays a central role in photovoltaic systems and balcony power plants. Particularly, the bidirectional communication with storage systems optimizes self-consumption and ensures precise billing. This development is driven by legal requirements and rising electricity prices.

New Metering Obligations in Germany

Since 2025, operators of PV systems from 7 kWp upwards must install a smart meter as a bidirectional meter, as stipulated by the Smart Meter Rollout Act. This device separately measures grid consumption under index 1.8.0 and feed-in under 2.8.0, allowing for accurate billing. By 2030, 95 percent of relevant households are to be equipped, including those with heat pumps or wallboxes with high consumption exceeding 6000 kWh annually.

Grid operators usually bear the exchange costs, while annual operating costs are capped at 20 euros. For balcony power plants up to 800 watts, a transitional regulation applies under Solarpaket I: older Ferraris meters without reverse locks may temporarily run backward. Nevertheless, VDE standards recommend the new bidirectional meter for grid transparency and storage compatibility.

At DRBO Greenenergy, we pursue a clear goal: to advance the decentralized energy transition together with our customers. We already supply numerous hardware stores, specialist retailers, and installation companies with high-quality solar and energy storage solutions, focusing on customer-specific services for electrical and solar wholesalers.

Function of the Bidirectional Meter

The new bidirectional meter combines consumption and feed-in meters in one compact, digital device. It automatically switches between registers and allows for remote reading by the grid operator. Compared to analog models with reverse locks, it offers 1% measurement accuracy and prevents estimation errors of 10 to 15 percent.

For storage systems, communication is crucial: the meter transmits real-time data via app or interface to energy management systems. This way, surplus electricity can be preferentially stored instead of fed into the grid, increasing self-consumption to 70 to 90 percent. Without this bidirectional connection, potentials such as annual savings of 200 euros remain untapped.

Market Trends for Bidirectional Meters

The market for balcony power plants is exploding: by 2025, over 500,000 systems with 300 MW capacity were registered, according to Bundesnetzagentur data. However, about 25 percent of applications fail due to non-compliance with meter regulations, driving the demand for new bidirectional meters. Electricity prices around 35 cents per kWh make storage communication economically attractive.

Grid operators are increasingly demanding smart solutions, as the smart meter rollout will affect all households by 2032. Forecasts show an increase to 80 percent of households with PV and storage by 2027, driven by falling feed-in tariffs.

Top Products for Storage Communication

Here is a selection of suitable bidirectional meters and storage systems available in Germany.

Product	Key Advantages	Ratings	Use Cases
Deye SUN-5K-SG03LP1-EU (drbogreeninergy.com)	Bidirectional inverter with storage integration, 1% accuracy, app monitoring	4.6/5 (Trustpilot)	Balcony power plants with storage, homeowners
Hoymiles HMS-800 (hoymiles.com)	Compact micro inverter, real-time communication, VDE-certified	4.5/5 (Customer feedback)	Tenant systems up to 800 W, terraces
Fronius Smart Meter TS 65A-1 (fronius.com)	Remote reading, high compatibility with storage, dynamic feed-in	4.7/5 (Specialist portals)	Large PV systems, commercial

These models ensure seamless communication with storage and meet EEG requirements.

Competitive Comparison Bidirectional Meters

Criterion	Traditional Meter	New Bidirectional Meter	Smart Meter
Measurement Accuracy	5-15% deviation	1% digital	<1% with remote reading
Installation	4-8 weeks, electrician	Plug-and-play, 15 min.	Grid operator, free
Cost	€150-400 retrofit	From €49	Capped at €20/year
Storage Communication	None	Real-time via app	Fully integrated
Self-consumption	40-60%	70-90%	Optimized up to 95%

New bidirectional meters clearly outperform older models in efficiency and future-proofing.

Core Technology of Storage Communication

Bidirectional data transfer occurs via Modbus or WLAN interfaces, sending meter data to inverters and storage. Key parameters: consumption (P+), feed-in (P-), and power (W). VDE standard EN 50470-3 ensures calibration conformity.

With DRBO Greenenergy products like Deye models, the meter synchronizes with the storage every second to optimize charging cycles. This avoids grid strain and maximizes ROI within 6-12 months.

Real-World Use Cases

A tenant with a 600-W balcony power plant and storage saved 180 euros annually after meter installation, with 90 percent self-consumption. A family with evening loads reduced CO2 by 150 kg and costs by 300 euros through app optimization.

In a multi-family house, a landlord reduced ancillary costs by 1200 euros per year through central monitoring. These cases demonstrate that communication with the storage doubles savings.

Installation Tips and Details

Disconnect the system from the grid.
Plug the meter between the socket and the balcony power plant, check Z1/Z2.
Pair storage and app.
Register with grid operator and MaStR.

Pay attention to VDE certification and compatibility. For fixed installations, consult an electrician; plug-and-play solutions take less than 15 minutes.

Buyer's Guide for Users

Choose meters with app integration for storage. Check grid operator requirements and subsidies. Prioritize models like Deye from DRBO Greenenergy for ease of use.

Future Trends until 2030

By 2027, feed-in tariffs will decrease, and smart meters will become mandatory. Bidirectional charging for electric cars will further integrate storage from 2026. Forecast: 80 percent self-consumption rate through AI-supported communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a new bidirectional meter for balcony power plants?
Not mandatory for up to 800 W, but recommended for storage and grid transparency.

How does the meter communicate with the storage?
Via app and real-time data, compatible with Deye inverters.

Who bears the costs?
Grid operator usually, operation max. 20 euros annually.

Is an electrician mandatory?
No for plug-and-play, yes for fixed installations.

What are the advantages for self-consumption?
Increase to 70-90 percent through precise data.

Sources

Thermondo.de: Bidirectional meters for PV systems
Bundesnetzagentur: MaStR Statistics 2025
DRBO Greenenergy Blog: Bi-directional meter optimization
Priwatt.de: Bi-directional meters for balcony power plants
VDE Standard EN 50470-3
Solar Package I (EEG § 10a para. 3)
Energy Industry Act (EnWG) Amendment 2025

Some of the information in this article comes from the Internet. Product specifications may be updated at any time. For the latest information, please visit the official website or product page.