Solar panel fit payments

northy1927

Can anybody help I have just purchased my solar panels paid off the green deal finance,how do I go about getting payments from the grid and receiving fit payments. The panels were installed in 2014

Ectophile

Were they ever registered for FIT payments?  If not, you're too late - the FIT scheme is now closed to new applications.

If they were previously registered in someone else's name, you need a copy of the MCS certificate to register them with a FIT provider of your choice - one of the big energy companies.  You need to find out what their procedure is. But it will require the previous owner to release the FIT eligibility to you.

tim_p

If they weren’t registered in 2014 when they were installed then I’m afraid the FIT ship has long since sailed. If they were registered then then presumably someone has been getting the FIT payments and I’m guessing it’s not you?  Depending on when in 2014 and obviously how many panels you’ve got etc then someone could have been receiving up to £700 / year or possibly more for the last 6 odd years. 

[Deleted User]

Some useful advice here:

https://www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-centre/faq/will-i-be-eligible-feed-tariff-if-i-move-house-already-has-system-generates

Personally, I would have paid nothing until I had all the appropriate paperwork to hand. If you are not eligible for FIT payments, you can apply to an energy company for Special Export Guarentee (SEG) payments. They will require a copy of the MCS Certificate and DNO approval. They will also require you to agree to them fitting a smart meter.

northy1927

The fit payments were being paid to helms who have gone bust how do I get the mcs certificate??

[Deleted User]

I have no idea who Helms is but why were you paying for something and they were getting the FITs? I assume that there would have been a Receiver involved: you will probably need to speak to them.

Edit: A quick search and I found this:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/consumer/energy/energy-supply/making-energy-efficient-home-improvements/helms-home-energy-lifestyle-management-ltd-and-green-deal-complaints-s/

All I can say is ‘oh dear’. 

northy1927

I now own the panels as I bought them off gdfc finance company but don't know how to get the payments from the grid 

nottsphil

northy1927 said:

I now own the panels as I bought them off gdfc finance company but don't know how to get the payments from the grid 

We're they originally installed under rent a roof?

[Deleted User]

northy1927 said:

I now own the panels as I bought them off gdfc finance company but don't know how to get the payments from the grid 

Read the link. In particular, this Section:

Quote: If you own your FIT, you should get annual or quarterly payments for the energy made by your solar panels. If you don’t get any payments, it’s likely someone else owns your FIT.

HELMS may have got you to transfer ownership of your FIT to another company, such as PV Solar Investments Ltd (PVSI). PVSI has the same company director as HELMS. 

You might have signed an agreement called a 'transfer of rights to payments to PV Solar Investments Ltd'. You might also have documents that say your FIT was 'assigned to' another company. 

You might not have been told you were transferring ownership of your FIT or told what you were signing. 

If you transferred the FIT for your solar panels to HELMS or PVSI, it will have been registered by PVSI. PVSI will get the quarterly payments for the energy your solar panels make for up to 20 years. Unquote

I fear that you may need legal advice. A good place to start would be Citizens Advice. As stated above, the FIT scheme is closed to new entrants. You now need proof of ownership (Title) and a signed FIT transfer form.

northy1927

Thanks I will contact citizens advice 

tim_p

How many panels and how much have you paid?