Solar Panels

Mazinsky

Hello

We currently rent our property (private). 2 years ago Solar Panels were installed. We were with First Utility at the time, but have since switched to Sainsburys Enegy. We wondered whether we should return to First Utility, therefore re-qualifying for the 'Feed In Tariff' or just shop around for the cheapest per kWh price on the market?

Thanks in advance.

M

System

Supply and generation contracts are separate: you can have a supply contract with Sainsburys and a generation contact with A N Other Supplier. I assume that the panels are either owned or leased (rent a roof) by the property owner. He/she or the lessor will have registered the panels for FITs and will receive this benefit irrespective of who is living in the property. The benefit for a tenant is ‘free electricity’ when the sun shines.

Mazinsky

Hello

Thanks for replying. Yes, the landlord owns the panels, and
registered them with First Utility for the FIT.

I'm just trying to weigh up the savings of the FIT or a cheaper Tariff with another supplier. I raed that there's potential (weather depending) to save about £120 per year with the panels?

System

Mazinsky wrote: »

Hello

Thanks for replying. Yes, the landlord owns the panels, and
registered them with First Utility for the FIT.

I'm just trying to weigh up the savings of the FIT or a cheaper Tariff with another supplier. I raed that there's potential (weather depending) to save about £120 per year with the panels?

Sorry - you have lost me. If the property owner has registered the panels, then he/she will be paid all FITs. You will get the benefit of the free electricity - provided you are able to make use of it - irrespective of the supplier that you choose. The panels don’t stop working just because FU is paying the FIT: the money to pay the FIT comes from Government. All you need to do is to use your reduced annual usage to find the cheapest supply deal.

Mazinsky

So ultimately our electricity bills will be lower? That's all I needed to know. I spoke to First Utility yesterday, explaining everything I have here and was told that as soon as we re-joined them we would be 're-registered for FIT'. I think that's what confused me. I do understand that the landlord benefits from the Government scheme.
Thank you.

System

Mazinsky wrote: »

So ultimately our electricity bills will be lower? That's all I needed to know. I spoke to First Utility yesterday, explaining everything I have here and was told that as soon as we re-joined them we would be 're-registered for FIT'. I think that's what confused me. I do understand that the landlord benefits from the Government scheme.
Thank you.

They are telling you big ‘porkies’. Under Data Protection Law, they should only be discussing the generation contract with the person that submitted the documentation in support of the registration. It is not possible to re-register solar panels. Once registered, FITs will be paid for 20/25 years depending on the date of registration irrespective of any supply contract changes in future years.

sevenhills

Hengus wrote: »

The panels don’t stop working just because FU is paying the FIT: the money to pay the FIT comes from Government. All you need to do is to use your reduced annual usage to find the cheapest supply deal.

I have solar panels, on the house I bought; surely the FIT payment comes from the generated electricity?

Trentenders

sevenhills wrote: »

I have solar panels, on the house I bought; surely the FIT payment comes from the generated electricity?

It does, but the amount (per unit) you receive is set by the Gov't. You (person to whom the FIT is registered) receive the same regardless of who supplies your electricity &/or deals with your FIT payments.

System

sevenhills wrote: »

I have solar panels, on the house I bought; surely the FIT payment comes from the generated electricity?

The actual amount of FIT that you are paid depends on the output of your panels.

The level of feed in tariff paid to Solar PV owners is set by Ofgem. Ofgem reviews the amount paid for each unit of electricity generated on a quarterly basis.

Solar PV feed in tariff (FiTs) payments are set out in a contract between the Solar PV owner (the generator) and the Government.

All electricity suppliers add a small levy to every unit (kWh) of electricity sold (not electricity that is generated). This levy funds the FiTs scheme. So all electricity consumers(domestic & commercial) fund the FiTs scheme NOT Central Government.

The electricity sales companies hold this levy in an escrow account and apply to Ofgem to pay you from it when you claim your FiTs.

In sum, suppliers fund the FIT scheme by applying a social and economic charge on all bills. Ofgem has to give approval for all FIT claims. The supply/generation contract is between the generator and the Government.