Solar panel virgins - new home!

far2812

Hi All

As always, I've come here for advice.

We have bought a newly built home with solar panels. We are due to move in on 25th October. I believe the current suppliers are British Gas.

Can anyone give me advice on best tariffs to go for? I don't understand the pay back schemes if anyone can shed a solar light on it for me?

Thanks as always to anyone with advice

Fi
x

gefnew

hi
Do you own the panels and have you got things ready to apply for fit payments
regards

far2812

Hi gefnew - yes we will own the panels - tbh I've never had them before so have no idea what we need to do!

What do you mean by apply for fit payments? I am so new to all this so have no idea!

Very grateful for your advice

pinnks

You need a microgeneration certificate (MCS) from the installer (presumably the house builder) and the EPC for the property. You then fill out a FiT application form available from your chosen provider (might as well be the firm you initially go with for gas and leccy) and send it and any other things like proof of address to them.

They process the form and start paying following the meter reading (from your solar system meter or TGM, not your normal leccy meter) you send them at the end of the first quarter after registration. Payments then continue on a quarterly basis for 20 years.

Key is to get the application done.

If you later change energy supplier you don't have to move FiT provider. Indeed the only difference between them is the efficiency of their payment systems and the time it takes to pay you. Most of the big 6 are quite good but I think British Gas pay by cheque and some of the smaller providers take months to make payment.

far2812

Thanks Pinkss - so I don't need to register anything with the government?

I'm assuming then, say if we stay with British Gas, that we pay them by direct debit normally every month and then we send them a reading from the solar system meter every quarter - and they send us a cheque?

Have I got this right now?

I'm so grateful for your advice

gefnew

Hi
Here is a link that may help.
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-programmes/fit/applicants/microgeneration-certification-scheme-mcs-small-installations
regards

pinnks

That's pretty much it.

I was with E.ON (still am) for leccy and gas when our system was fitted, so filled out their form and submitted to them. As should be apparent from the link above, they act as agent for the govt scheme to pass the FiT money to you.

I think in reality, the green levy we all pay on our energy bills goes into a central pot, the FiT provider (E.ON for me) then claims back the amount due to a customer based on the generation meter readings and then pays the customer (you or me). I think this is why some of the smaller firms take so long as they cannot pay the customer until they get paid themselves - good old cashflow etc.

If we decided to change leccy providers, E.ON would continue to provide the FiT - the two things are as separate as your leccy and water provision.

So yes, if you stay with BG you would get your FiT from them. Have a read of this thread - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3512647/solar-energy-feed-in-tariff-payment-delays-your-experiences - which as loads of comments about the goods and bads of most FiT providers. This might influence which firm you choose for your leccy and hence your FiT, even of you later change leccy provider...

Exiled_Tyke

pinnks wrote: »

That's pretty much it.

I was with E.ON (still am) for leccy and gas when our system was fitted, so filled out their form and submitted to them. As should be apparent from the link above, they act as agent for the govt scheme to pass the FiT money to you.

I think in reality, the green levy we all pay on our energy bills goes into a central pot, the FiT provider (E.ON for me) then claims back the amount due to a customer based on the generation meter readings and then pays the customer (you or me). I think this is why some of the smaller firms take so long as they cannot pay the customer until they get paid themselves - good old cashflow etc.

If we decided to change leccy providers, E.ON would continue to provide the FiT - the two things are as separate as your leccy and water provision.

So yes, if you stay with BG you would get your FiT from them. Have a read of this thread - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3512647/solar-energy-feed-in-tariff-payment-delays-your-experiences - which as loads of comments about the goods and bads of most FiT providers. This might influence which firm you choose for your leccy and hence your FiT, even of you later change leccy provider...

I’ve found EON excellent. Very helpful and very prompt with payments paid straight into my bank account.

silverwhistle

pinnks wrote: »

I think this is why some of the smaller firms take so long as they cannot pay the customer until they get paid themselves - good old cashflow etc..

I think this is the situation. I'm with one of the green slow payers, but fortunately cash flow is never that critical or I would have moved.

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

Exiled_Tyke wrote: »

I’ve found EON excellent. Very helpful and very prompt with payments paid straight into my bank account.

Good to hear Exiled Tyke and thank you for taking the time to post.

Malc