Replacement of stolen solar PV panels

DrHardy

My 18 panel system was commissioned on the 17th July and 12 of the panels were stolen a couple of weeks later. I have received all the documentation and are signing up for the FIT. Does any body know if I must replace the panels with MCS approved ones or can I install non approved ones and still receive the FIT. I am particular interested in the new hybrid units that generate both Electricity and Solar Heating as these were my first choice but were not installed as they are not MCS accredited.

Mcfi5dhc

They would have to be MCS approved panels, and refitted by MCS approved installers - the FIT is very strict

How on earth did they manage to steal 12 panels? I'm guessing you were away from the property at the time?

Could I ask which county you are in (just in case they are solar panel thieves around where i live!)?

As long as they were insured, you have no issues...

Mankysteve

Isnt it case of letting your insurance sort it out like for like. I wouldn't bother with solar heating panels. It'll be comprised system combining the two.

DrHardy

Have you a reference to the FIT rules on replacement panels or are the rules just for new installations

DrHardy

Mankysteve wrote: »

Isnt it case of letting your insurance sort it out like for like. I wouldn't bother with solar heating panels. It'll be comprised system combining the two.

Insurance company just requires quotations for the stolen panels to be replaced.

The combined panels are reported to have a higher efficiency because the water cools the PV cells that in a standard PV panel loose efficiency with increased temperature.

daytona600_2

DrHardy wrote: »

My 18 panel system was commissioned on the 17th July and 12 of the panels were stolen a couple of weeks later. I have received all the documentation and are signing up for the FIT. Does any body know if I must replace the panels with MCS approved ones or can I install non approved ones and still receive the FIT. I am particular interested in the new hybrid units that generate both Electricity and Solar Heating as these were my first choice but were not installed as they are not MCS accredited.

panels must be mcs certified for feed in tarriffs
and same make & rating on the strings
unless multi tracker mppt inverter is used or multiple inverters
use security bolts on roof mounting systems to stop modules being stolen
hybrid or PV-T systems are made but only one supplier has mcs approval and expensive and new technolgy

DrHardy

daytona600 wrote: »

panels must be mcs certified for feed in tarriffs
and same make & rating on the strings
unless multi tracker mppt inverter is used or multiple inverters
use security bolts on roof mounting systems to stop modules being stolen
hybrid or PV-T systems are made but only one supplier has mcs approval and expensive and new technolgy

Thank you for advice I will make certain that replacement installation includes security bolts, was going to change MCS anyhow as current company sub contracted installation to a non approved MCS installer.

Would like to read up on rules for FIT, not certain that since I already have FIT with existing installation what penalty I would face if panels were replaced by non MCS approved panels.

Mcfi5dhc

DrHardy wrote: »

what penalty I would face if panels were replaced by non MCS approved panels.

You wouldn't get a penalty, but you wouldn't get the feed-in-tariff either, so that in a way is the penalty.

Even the worlds best super efficient panels wouldn't make up for the loss of the FIT

DrHardy

Mcfi5dhc wrote: »

You wouldn't get a penalty, but you wouldn't get the feed-in-tariff either, so that in a way is the penalty.

Even the worlds best super efficient panels wouldn't make up for the loss of the FIT

How would I loose the FIT? As I am already signed up for the FIT how would it stop? Is it up to myself to inform some organisation that I no longer have MCS approved panels?

Mcfi5dhc

Is it me, or is there something a bit odd about all this?

DrHardy - there is no more help or guidance that I can or will offer. I am certainly not going to recommend you commit fraud though.

DrHardy

Mcfi5dhc wrote: »

Is it me, or is there something a bit odd about all this?

DrHardy - there is no more help or guidance that I can or will offer. I am certainly not going to recommend you commit fraud though.

The whole question about this is would I be committing fraud if I replaced my stolen MCS approved panels with non approved panels and still claimed the FIT. Can someone please point me towards a document where I can read the legal implications?