Feed In Tariff application question

andreauk2009

Hello there,

I've received 3 quotes for install a PV system, two of them are very similar in terms of cost, one it's a £1.5k higher.
So far the most expensive one it's the only one it includes the application for the feed in tariff, which I would expect to be not so complicate to do on my own (as I can't justify the higher cost).

So my question is, how much complicate is doing this application? Is there any provider that is worse than another?

Thanks
Andrea

tunnel

The application form for the FiT is pretty straightforward. Most installers will happily help you fill them in anyway, it's in their interests to be helpful(you wouldn't recommend them otherwise would you?)


Not really sure if the utility companies offering FiTs have different application forms, but there's enough folks on here that'd be more than helpful if you encounter any problems as we are all probably using one or another of them.


Can I ask what your quotes are and for what equipment? Where are you roughly too, others on here may recommend an installer close to you(may be a better price)

andreauk2009

tunnel wrote: »

Can I ask what your quotes are and for what equipment? Where are you roughly too, others on here may recommend an installer close to you(may be a better price)

Sure. I'm on SG6 area, and I've room for 16 module for a total of 4kWh.

I've been quoted for the following PV:
- Axitec (£6525)
- Futura (~6200, final quote to be received yet)
- Scheuten (£7500)

That said, both the Scheuten and Futura guys will install a SMA inverter, which I read is quite good but I can't check anything "online".
The Axitec one will provide another german inverter, whose brand I can't remember off the top of my head.

I've been also recommended to install an Immerson (I hope this is correct) to make sure I can squeeze as much as I can from the PV and use to satisfy internal consumption before send anything to the grid. This is because regardless the amount of energy I send, the cash back will be the same (but proportional to the energy produced).
Do you reckon this £700 toy to be a good investment? I think it is, but hey, I'm not an expert.

Thanks
Andrea

tunnel

Hi Andrea,


Looking at your prices, if they are to include the immerson switch then I'd say the futura are close to what you should be looking at, maybe £6k would be better.
I've just sorted panels for my parents 4kWp system at £5700(Canadian solar(black on black) 250W panels & sunnyboy inverter), including a similar immersion switch would have brought that figure to £6100 so gives you an idea of what is achievable.


Might add, I'm not an expert, just someone who has an interest in renewables

andreauk2009

tunnel wrote: »

Hi Andrea,

Looking at your prices, if they are to include the immerson switch then I'd say the futura are close to what you should be looking at, maybe £6k would be better.
I've just sorted panels for my parents 4kWp system at £5700(Canadian solar(black on black) 250W panels & sunnyboy inverter), including a similar immersion switch would have brought that figure to £6100 so gives you an idea of what is achievable.


Might add, I'm not an expert, just someone who has an interest in renewables

In which area do you live?

tunnel

I'm near to Chesterfield, unfortunately the installers I used for myself and my parents don't travel as far south as Stevenage.

ChopperST

Would agree its a bit tight not to include help with the paperwork. As far as I recall there were parts that had to be completed by the installer to satisfy MCS etc.

nrsql

I only had one company that said they would fill in the paperwork - the others all said they would help though. I'm having it installed on Thursday and will talk to the project manager then - but it doesn't look difficult (the company that provides it said that npower was very complicated but I suspect they didn't expect me to look).

My quotes ranged from £5,500 to £6,500 plus one at £8,999.
4 kw 16 panel system. Gone for Solarworld + Samil + Owl at £5,950.
I'm a pretty low electricity user so and extra cost in that respect wouldn't be worth it.

EricMears

nrsql wrote: »

I only had one company that said they would fill in the paperwork - the others all said they would help though. I'm having it installed on Thursday and will talk to the project manager then - but it doesn't look difficult (the company that provides it said that npower was very complicated but I suspect they didn't expect me to look).

My quotes ranged from £5,500 to £6,500 plus one at £8,999.
4 kw 16 panel system. Gone for Solarworld + Samil + Owl at £5,950.
I'm a pretty low electricity user so and extra cost in that respect wouldn't be worth it.

There are bits of the FIT form that have to be filled in by the installer and others that have to be filled in by the applicant.


I'd be amazed if any installer would refuse to help fill in any of the bits you need help with (and even more amazed if anyone accepted a quote from an installer who said he wouldn't help !).

The_Green_Hornet

EricMears wrote: »

There are bits of the FIT form that have to be filled in by the installer and others that have to be filled in by the applicant.


I'd be amazed if any installer would refuse to help fill in any of the bits you need help with (and even more amazed if anyone accepted a quote from an installer who said he wouldn't help !).

Looking at the current FIT application forms of the major energy suppliers there isn't one section on them that needs to be filled in by the installer, and all the required information to complete the forms can be found on your MCS and EPC certificates.

EricMears

The_Green_Hornet wrote: »

Looking at the current FIT application forms of the major energy suppliers there isn't one section on them that needs to be filled in by the installer, and all the required information to complete the forms can be found on your MCS and EPC certificates.

Assuming of course that the installer gives you those certificates before he leaves ! If not, you'll need to ask him for those figures if you want to get the FIT forms completed promptly.