Solar Power and electricity tariffs

JGJackson

We're having Solar panels installed soon. Our gas and electric tariff with EON ends soon and we were wondering what to look for in any competitive tariffs in order to maximise the benefits of solar power. One thought I've had is that should I be looking for a tariff without a standing charge as with one, there will be an annual charge no matter how good the savings will be using the solar power. Am I right in thinking this?

I've checked the web but cannot find any reference to this thought anywhere. I'm sure my electricity charges will not totally disappear (I'm willing to be told otherwise obviously!) but any extra savings will be gratefully accepted. What have the "experienced users" done?

macman

SC or NSC has absolutely nothing to do with FIT's. FIT's is a regulated payment and will be the same regardless of your FITs supplier.
NSC or SC tariff makes no difference to your annual costs unless you are a low user-the difference is other a few pence, as you pay a higher unit rate on NSC tariffs.
If you really think that a few solar panels and the FITs payback will wipe out your electrcity bills, then you've been badly mis-sold!
Use any comp site with your annual kWh figures to find the best tariff.
PS: you're not under any obligation to use your own energy provider for the FITs scheme, though most do.

JGJackson

Thanks Macman
I realise the FITs are a "fixed by the government" return so I guess I was being a bit optimistic in thinking the electricity bill would reduce dramatically and I hadn't done the maths down to a monthly saving level. The rough calculation came from the ROI period against the cost and, as I said, I didn't want to eliminate any savings that were possible. Now I know there will be no difference in my savings between the tariff types I can breathe easy now.:)