Solar Panel advice

Joyful

I have just moved into a new build. On purchasing I was given all the info about selling excess energy to the grid. When I moved in I was told it only supplied the house! Is there anyway to change this and a timescale to apply?

Dogbyte009

Provided you have all the details of the solar installation - MCS certificate, etc - you should still be able to apply for SEG payments. You don't have to sell power to the same company you're buying it from.

tim_p

I’d have thought it would be something your solicitor should have dealt with, after all you were told one thing and now something different. That’s what you pay a solicitor for, to avoid these sort of things. How many panels / what output?

[Deleted User]

There are two types of solar PV: off grid and on grid. The former tends to be used by Hobbits living in dug outs or on canal boats where there is no mains supply. Normal people live in houses with a grid supply to the main meter. When electricity is generated by a solar array it is at a slightly high voltage that the mains supply so any home demands are satisfied from the solar output first. If the home demand is say, 3kWs, and the solar output is just 2kWs then 1kW will also be required from the Grid. Similarly, if the array is producing 3kWs and the home needs, say, 500 Watts then 2 1/2 kWs will be exported to the Grid. So in truth, both parties told you the truth.

As posted above, you can apply for SEG payments for any exported energy (Octopus currently pays 5.5p/kWh). You will need to send them a copy of the MCS Certificate and possibly DNO approval for the  export of energy. Your chosen supplier may insist on you having a smart meter. It will apply to your DNO for a separate MPAN to cover the export side of your meter. Some suppliers will only agree to SEG if you take out an import/supply tariff with them. 

FWiW, most homes struggle to use more than 50% of the solar energy generated. There is only so much ironing; vacuuming etc that can be done and solar is not available when people want to use energy. This will give you a rough idea of your supply energy savings and SEG payments. 

Joyful

Thanks Dolar. I have been given no paperwork at all apart from what I was given on purchase. Another owner said they were told it would cost hundreds to be able to export.

[Deleted User]

I confess that I am confused. What paperwork has your builder actually given you? You said in your OP that you were given all the information needed to sell energy to the Grid. Where did the figure of £100s come from? 

PS. A thought. If you are in a new build, then I assume that you have a SMETS2 electricity meter? If this is the case, then it should be possible to see the amount of electricity (kWhs) exported to the Grid.

Ectophile

In the paperwork you have, is there an MCS certificate? If so, that's all you need.

It's actually harder to design a system that doesn't export excess electricity than one that does. So it's most likely that you're already exporting. But if it's not being metered, you won't get paid. The metering is down to your electricity supplier.