Solar Panels - Help needed re Decommissioning, Removing, Recycling

Martyn1981

2nd_time_buyer said:

I am wondering if there is any possibility of changing the panels. Newer ones are a lot more efficient. The all-black ones will blend in much better than the previous generation ones. Might be worth have a chat with the conservation officer. As I imagine they are under some pressure to be more 'green'.

I am guessing you will lose the Fit payments

That's an interesting idea. Also, the FiT might not be lost, you can replace panels if they break or fail, but if you add more powerful ones, or add more panels to a system then the FiT will be apportioned appropriately. Whether this applies to replacing all of the panels, I don't know, but it may be possible.

Regarding their proper removal, perhaps a local installer might be willing to remove the system in exchange for keeping all of the kit for secondhand use. That also solves the issue of recycling via re-use?

Meatballs

Astria said:

They want to know that the panels have been removed correctly, hence why questions 1 & 2. After all, they are tied into the grid, so if someone removed them incorrectly, it could cause problems for the rest of your street which then if investigated to your property, could cost you ££££.

The 4th question is simply because they are considered a specialist waste/recycling product and so they need to make sure they are done properly. If your intention is to simply sell them on, then proof of this sale should be sufficient.

Very straightforward to remove them from the grid, turn the big red rotary isolation switch off? Would be fairly straightforward to isolate at main breaker, isolate at MCB, and then just remove the wiring from the rotary isolator - can leave that in place tbh.

Then you only have to worry about the DC voltages from the panels which could be quite high when its sunny 

jimjames

Martyn1981 said:

2nd_time_buyer said:

I am wondering if there is any possibility of changing the panels. Newer ones are a lot more efficient. The all-black ones will blend in much better than the previous generation ones. Might be worth have a chat with the conservation officer. As I imagine they are under some pressure to be more 'green'.

I am guessing you will lose the Fit payments

Regarding their proper removal, perhaps a local installer might be willing to remove the system in exchange for keeping all of the kit for secondhand use. That also solves the issue of recycling via re-use?

That seems a great idea, I can imagine there could be some that would be interested in that if they can then sell them on again.

Reed_Richards

chat01 said:

We wouldn't be able to decommission them straightaway so I am proposing to transfer the FiT from the seller to myself for this intervening period.

Regardless of how long you keep the panels, the FiT should be transferred to you as part of the conveyancing process.  To avoid any possible confusion it would be better if your conveyancing documents make it explicit that you take ownership of the panels when you take ownership of the house.

You'll generate much more electricity and so get higher FiT payments in the summer.  How urgently do your panels need to be decommissioned?  

arty688

Maybe ground mount some/all of them ?

chat01

arty688 said:

Maybe ground mount some/all of them ?

This has been suggested by the CO but we do not want to lose any of the garden / outside space - one of the reasons we are moving is to get a larger garden for the kids growing up.

arty688

shed or outbuilding is another option? Sorry if all these things have been suggested

JIL

I found these people very helpful 

https://mcscertified.com/about-us/contact-us/

Heedtheadvice

Probably with the benefit of hindsight the solicitor doing the conveyance would have discovered the planning problem and advised you to make an offer on the condition of the system removal. All very well in theory I suppose depending upon the competition to buy!

It is risky to purchase with an issue to resolve of unknown quantity but that is your choice.

As posted above a big loss to not receive FIT, loss of green credentials, cost of removal etc. Though if refitted elsewhere not a total loss. FIT however will be lost entirely.

As a guide second hand panels have been advertised at about £70 each plus delivery (under 300 watt versions). I wanted a few but delivery cost offputting! Used inverter might only be worth a quarter of retail cost (purchase price less tax, profit, value of warranty, reduced life, removal, delivery etc) . Removal of wiring etc possibly just £100 (guess!). Removal of panels maybe involves a scaffolding cost (get quotes first?) and then make good any damage to tiles. Again quote especially as in conservation area and seek planning approval too in advance so as to try and minimise or negate any legal loopholes as they did not have planning approval.....which you now seem to have become responsible for.

Again a guess but I would expect you to be out of pocket for the practical and legal/planning costs.

Lets hope not.

waveneygnome

Are you absolutely 100% sure the Conservation Officer (CO) is determined you removal the panels?

If you explain the situation to them, could a compromise be reached:

Leave the panels in situ for the remaining term of the FIT

Remove after the term ends

Appreciate you don't like the look of the panels; but environmentally wise, it would make more sense to leave in situ/make use of as intended.

We had an issue with our local CO, and he was adamant something needed to be done.  We provided lots of evidence, with all the +/- of the alternatives, and in the end he agreed the status quo was the least worst option.  We found them most reasonable to speak to, once the alternatives had at least been examined.