Last minute Feed-in tariff applications

thenudeone

For anyone who ends up desperate for time - I've just had this email from my FIT provider (or should that be purchaser?), Good Energy https://www.goodenergy.co.uk:

One-off weekend opening on the 10th and 11th of December

The Government recently announced reductions in the Feed-in Tariff for rewarding small independent solar PV generators, controversially bringing forward the deadline for registering for the higher rate from April 1st 2012 to December 11th.

We don’t agree with the Government’s decision to bring the deadline forward but we want to make sure as many small solar electricity generators as possible get their applications in by the deadline of midnight on the 11th of December. We’ve been supporting independent renewable generators for almost a decade – they’re the foundation upon which we see a 100% renewable energy future being built – and the Government’s decision isn’t going to change that.

From 10am to 4pm on Saturday the 10th and 12pm to 6pm on Sunday the 11th, Good Energy staff will be on hand to receive applications in person and offer advice over the phone. Our founder and CEO Juliet Davenport says: “The decision to bring the Feed-in Tariff deadline forward will create a mad scramble in the industry, from consumers to installers, and that’s something the Government has to avoid happening in the future. However, as specialists in all aspects of the FIT, the Good Energy team wants to help those who are committed to generating their own green electricity get their installations registered on time.”

We’ll be infusing the proceedings with some festive cheer, with mulled wine and mince pies, so if you’re in the area feel free to drop in and say hello.

For more information on how you can ensure your installation is registered in time to receive the highest rate of FIT head to the Feed-in Tariff section of our website http://www.goodenergy.co.uk/feedintariff

NB: They also accept applications by email which might save a trip.

There is no harm in requesting a pack by email now, just in case you find you don't get your MCS certificate in time to put in the post.

You don't have to use your existing power supplier to administer the FIT payments. You can use any one you want.

Yut_Man

Very interesting read. Puts a few of the others to shame.

Brian99_2

Well.... my scaffolding is to go up next Monday

Company couldnt find suitable racks anywhere in Britain!!

But they have found different panels with their own racks - TRINA TMS 235 watt.

So it seems I'll make it... weather permitting

Brian99_2

Some will like, some wont.... but after the debate in Commons today, the voting supported Dec12 deadline.

Of course, the consultation goes on, so this is not necessarily final.

drusy_2

Thanks for your help all at MSE.
Now that my application for the FIT scheme has been delivered in person to the Npower offices and date stamped in my presence, I feel much happier about the whole thing.
However, I feel a rant coming on.
I had always intended taking the plunge into renewable energy and Solar power seemed the most obvious route as we live in sunny Worcestershire. Since making the decision to have them; carrying out research, approaching companies for quotes, etc, believing I had until April 2012 to complete the Solar implementation, of course the wheel came off with the Government doing it’s very controversial ‘U’ turn.
I had given up on the idea, but for a neighbour who gave me details of a company who fitted both his Solar heating and power generation. This was only over two weeks ago.
I was very nervous, especially after I checked the claims of the salesman against the Energy Saving Trust calculator and the payback, with the system of 8panels he had recommended would have been 23 years! He claimed 10 years at the most! As I had paid a deposit I cancelled the contract and cancelled the cheque.
The company then offered to increase the number of panels to 14, a system providing 2.66 units, for a modest increase in price. The payback was reduced to 11 years, so I accepted.
You do wonder though, whether you are going to be ripped off and I was very anxious throughout the 2 weeks, whether anyone would turn up to fit the panels(they did), whether the paper work would arrive (it did) and would the system work (it does) would I qualify for the FIT (I do).
My criticism is of the government, who have created a situation where people like me who would have been more discerning with regard to whom they gave their business to, are forced to rush into something they have really very little knowledge of. ‘Fools rush in where angels fear to tread’.
I just hope that this fool has made the right decision, only time will tell.
Regards Drusy

Yut_Man

Your rant sums up the goverments involvment nicely.There was so many ways they could have handled it but they way they chose shows a total disregard to the people who have tried to invest in a system that the goverment supported. glad you got the system registered its a nice feeling. Trust rthe goverment to turn a relatively straight forward thing into a major event ,you watch come election time they will be pushing there green credentials and use the FIT as a example.

Brian99_2

After many hold-ups due to hardware shortages, my Trina panels have finally arrived in Aberdeen

So Monday could see the whole system up and running....

BIG thanks to Active Renewable Energy Systems (Aberdeen) for doing a careful and thorough job.

MikeyC123

I have read many threads and the MSE notes tonight doing a crash course on these
Solar schemes. The reason is because the inlaws have said they have had two people round to quote and both have said if they sign up and pay very soon (eg Monday) he will issue a
Certificate and get it sent off so they get the higher feed in tarriff before the deadline !
Sounds great, but also sounds like a bit of a pressure sell. From what I read the system has to be up and running, complete with a meter reading etc for this certificate to be valid.

So, any thoughts please, if they can't get the old higher tarrif probably not worth it.
Would value any opinions, just trying to ensure they're
Not getting taken for a ride, will also Check how much energy these sales guys say they will generate, she did say he had said they had a smallish roof so they wouldn't get full effect.

On a separate note, they have storage heaters which obviously
Draw electric at night on night rates, I presume this would be not much benefit and you'd need to Chang the storage heaters to draw throug the day ? Is that easy ?

Thanks in advance.

rogerblack

MikeyC123 wrote: »

I have read many threads and the MSE notes tonight doing a crash course on these
Solar schemes. The reason is because the inlaws have said they have had two people round to quote and both have said if they sign up and pay very soon (eg Monday) he will issue a
Certificate and get it sent off so they get the higher feed in tarriff before the deadline !

Get this in writing, and sure.
Payment to be made after system commissioned (or at least a large fraction of the payment), as long as it's before the 10th. (say)

DO NOT put any money down up front, until you actually see vans with panels and shizzle on them.
Otherwise these nice men may dissapear into the night.

sandeepkaur

interesting thanks

Brian99_2

Done mine today. Documents sent as attachments to email to SSE

MCS certificate doesn't show the panel type correctly, nothing can be done, "because of the drop-down menu" at their website.

Otherwise i think its all corrrect.

Panels were generating 280 watts in the cool winter sun.