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PDT

Assuming I install photovoltaic panels in time to qualify for the present Feed-in Tariff Scheme rates, can anyone tell me definitively whether future owners of my home (when I sell it) will qualify for the same FiTS rates or whether they will be subject to revised rates at the time they move in?

Additionally, can anyone tell me definitively if I either (i) have a system installed and working before end of March 2011, or if I (ii) have simply signed up to have one installed then, will I secure FiTS payments at their present rate?

Thank you.

cheesyhoward

Is it possible to upgrade an existing installation and still benefit from the same FIT rate as per the original installation? For example, I plan to have a 2kWh system installed this year, in 5 years I decide to add another 2kW of panels (as they are likely to be much cheaper). Will I still get 43p/kWh + RPI on both the old and new part of the install?
If not, what form of detection is in place to stop someone adding some extra panels and not telling the electricity board about it? Do they demand to inspect your roof if they notice the amount exported doubles?

HalloweenJack

no , thats been mentioned above - your fits are set at the current output - so if you increase a 2 kw system to a 4 kw system it would need to be re - certified at the higher output , and fits would be paid at the new output at the lower (future ) rate.

so get the highest you can - now.

as for inspection - you have a generation meter (required for fits) , so right now you claim for 2kw of output - to claim to 4kw they would need to re certify the system.

HalloweenJack

about solar panels on blocks of flats:

http://www.sharpmanufacturing.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/sukm/hs.xsl/-/html/st-matthews-estate-brixton-london-.htm

theres a system - 4kw for a block of flats - so techically `doable` - you`ll need to get consensus from all residents , work out a contract for distribution of monies and aceptance of payments to pay for them (get a good solicitor)

a £15000 4 kw system amoungst 70 flats would be £215 a head - but the fit level might not be alot as you are feeding alot of `homes` ; 70 flats using 400w each is 28kw.....

Cardew

HalloweenJack wrote: »

about solar panels on blocks of flats:

http://www.sharpmanufacturing.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/sukm/hs.xsl/-/html/st-matthews-estate-brixton-london-.htm

theres a system - 4kw for a block of flats - so techically `doable` - you`ll need to get consensus from all residents , work out a contract for distribution of monies and aceptance of payments to pay for them (get a good solicitor)

a £15000 4 kw system amoungst 70 flats would be £215 a head - but the fit level might not be alot as you are feeding alot of `homes` ; 70 flats using 400w each is 28kw.....

If it were to be fitted, surely the only feed would be to the 'common parts' i.e. lights in corridors, lifts, sockets for cleaner's appliances etc.

Rather than a charge each flat(you would never get agreement!) the money should come from a 'sinking fund' or a levy on Service Charge(a loan if required) and all income back to the Sinking fund.

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

Hello Money Savers. The official question and answer session begins at 10am and will end at 11am. Thank you for posting questions in advance. Please be aware that our expert may not be able to answer them all, but will try hard to answer as many as possible. If after this time your question hasn't been answered you can always call our advice line on: 0800 512 012 or post a question in the official Energy Saving Trust Q&A centre, which we try and answer questions in once a week: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2867980

Thanks again.

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

Before we start asking your questions, visitors to the forum may be interested in our new Solar Energy Calculator -

www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/solarenergycalculator

Just enter your postcode and see how much you can earn and save for solar PV. You also get a bespoke report at the end of it.

Now time to answer those questions of yours......

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

HalloweenJack wrote: »

the figures used for potential savings (based upon a 2900kw installation) suggest a unit cost of 15p per kwh ; http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Solar-PV-electricity-panels/Free-solar-PV-offers ; between 25% and 50% energy use in the home.

i think that figure of 15p per unit is too high as it suggests you are using tier 1 pricing - a more realistic figure would be lower using tier 2 pricing of around 10>11p per unit.

also will the government , now realising that venture capitalists are using FiT as a scheme to print money - reduce the FiT payments sooner rather than later? more in line with europe where they saw the folly of high FiT payments.

and finally - i asked this on this forum - what happenes if these `rent a roof` companies actually go bust?

Our current electricity rate is 14.4p/kWh, this is a weighted average of the higher and lower tiers.

What happens if 'rent a roof' companies go bust? Difficult to say. People who rent their roofs should not be overly concerned, after all they don't own the panels. If company in administratoin then I would imagine it would not be sensible ripping off the panels, after all they're making a decent income through FITs which could pay off creditors.

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

Waddy wrote: »

We have PV panels on our roof and are very pleased with them. I am a school governor and the school is possibly interetsed in benefiting from the free electricity. As schools operate during the day they are ideally placed to do this. is the FIT available to schools in any way. What about if the school can't afford the installation outright are there any options available to get PV with any schemes?

Thanks

Yes, schools can also benefit from installing PV and would be eligible for FITs. In fact installing on a school roof can be a good idea for using the electricity generated on-site as the school will be using electricity as it is being generated. However, you will loose out on some of this when the school is closed over summer. Can still get FIT payments though.

If school can't afford to buy then there may be green investors out there who would be willing to provide a loan on basis that they receive FIT payments. Perhaps your local council could advise.

Energy_Saving_Trust_company_representative

jfor2440 wrote: »

If I move house having invested in solar panels - is there a way I can continue to receive the FIT payments even though I will no longer own the house? (This is of course if the new owners agree and dont want to purchase the solar panels themselves)?

We've been asked this a number of times and the short answer is yes, this can be done. BUT you have to ask yourself:

• Would you buy a house with solar PV when some else received FIT income?
• You would have to maintain the panels - what about disputes over liability e.g. during a bad storm say?

To do it, you would simply assign the rights of FIT payment over to yourself. Would speak to your FIT energy supplier before proceeding