Solar panels in new property

Stressednewhomeowner

Hi,. We've just bought our first home and it has solar panels. Which in itself is great but I have no idea what I'm now meant to do with them!
We took meter readings the day we got the keys, and even that was complicated, the electricity meter ran through lots of readings!
I've checked our seller documents and there isn't much in there about the panels, just a note to check out an ofgem web page.
We've had the keys for a week now and really need to get an energy supplier set up but I don't know if the solar panels complicate things. Any advice would be most appreciated.

[Deleted User]

Is this a new property or an existing home with panels installed under the FIT Scheme? If it is the latter, then your solicitor should have insisted on the seller providing a signed FIT transfer form.

Edit:

Just to add to my post. As far as your energy supply is concerned, the property will already have an existing (deemed) supplier. You need to contact that supplier/s with your details and meter readings to set up your account. You are then free to switch but there is little point in doing so. Ignore solar for the moment as exporting energy does not fall under your supply contract.

xeny

You say the electricity meter ran through lots of readings - is the house on an Economy 7 or similar dual rate tariff? Solar normally has an entirely separate generation meter.

Alnat1

Your supplier for now will be whichever company was supplying the previous occupier. The details should be in the paperwork from your solicitor. Give them a ring, set up an account and let them know your opening readings.

It will depend on when the solar panels were installed whether they are under the FIT scheme (pre March 2019) or SEG scheme. As mentioned above, your solicitor should have checked all that for you.

Stressednewhomeowner

Thanks for your help. 
I'll get on with phoning the energy company then since the SP are a secondary issue.
We don't have any FIT transfer paperwork unfortunately. The seller was a nightmare and we only managed to exchange and complete on the final day of our mortgage deal and figured anything we might lose from the FIT scheme wouldn't be nearly as much as the interest rate hike on a new deal.
So with that in mind what do I do now? Will I just be using my own electricity while the sun shines and losing out on any extra they might generate?

[Deleted User]

Stressednewhomeowner said:

Thanks for your help. 
I'll get on with phoning the energy company then since the SP are a secondary issue.
We don't have any FIT transfer paperwork unfortunately. The seller was a nightmare and we only managed to exchange and complete on the final day of our mortgage deal and figured anything we might lose from the FIT scheme wouldn't be nearly as much as the interest rate hike on a new deal.
So with that in mind what do I do now? Will I just be using my own electricity while the sun shines and losing out on any extra they might generate?

Don’t be so sure. If the panels were installed some years ago, the payment per kWh generated is very generous. I sold my previous home a couple of years ago with a 2.15kWp array and I was getting over a £1000 per year.

Your solicitor should have made sure that you were provided with the MCS Certificate and all warranties etc. If the array is registered in the FIT Scheme, then you can only claim the FIT and export payments with a completed FIT Transfer form. 

Alnat1

Found this info, seems Ofgem administer the register, so you may need to contact them to get it updated into your name. They should be able to tell you which energy company is making payments, it might not be SP. SP might be though, possibly they can tell you?

Administration of the FIT scheme is split between Ofgem and the FIT Licensees. Much of the day-to-day administration of the scheme is handled by the FIT Licensees, including:

• Making FIT payments
• Taking and verifying meter readings
• Handling complaints
• Updating generator details

The aspects of the scheme which Ofgem administer include:

• Running the Central FIT Register and the Renewables & CHP Register - the databases of all accredited installations
• Publishing reports & data

[Deleted User]

FIT payments are often assigned to third parties: that is, someone other than the owner of the array. The FIT Licensee is unlikely to enter into a dialogue with anybody but the registered FIT payee (GDPR). Having gone through the mill when I sold my previous home with solar panels, this is a matter than should have been dealt with by the conveyancer.

In addition to having to provide the MCS Certificate; panel and inverter warranties etc, I had to show evidence that I owned the panels; that the design roof loading had not been exceeded and that the DNO had been notified of the installation. An overly diligent buyer’s solicitor - perhaps - but I had little option but to comply as it was part of the pre-purchase enquiries.

That said, some Licensees will accept an application as below:

https://www.eonenergy.com/content/dam/eon-energy-com/Files/feed-in-tariff/Transfer%20of%20ownership%20form.pdf

chris_n

Stressednewhomeowner said:

Thanks for your help. 
I'll get on with phoning the energy company then since the SP are a secondary issue.
We don't have any FIT transfer paperwork unfortunately. The seller was a nightmare and we only managed to exchange and complete on the final day of our mortgage deal and figured anything we might lose from the FIT scheme wouldn't be nearly as much as the interest rate hike on a new deal.
So with that in mind what do I do now? Will I just be using my own electricity while the sun shines and losing out on any extra they might generate?

£2.5k is per year from my 3.75kW array in North East. You do need to get your solicitor to clarify the situation with regard to the ownership of the panels / FIT or SEG. You could have problems selling if you don't own the panels and the roof is actually leased to someone else. Your solicitor should have established this and it should all be in the contract you exchanged. Your mortgage provider may not be amused to find they don't own the whole building.

macman

Was your conveyancer aware that the property had solar panels? if so, they should not have allowed you to exchange without getting clarification on the ownership of the panels. As above, if you have unknowingly inherited a leased roof then the property will be unsaleable/unmortgeable until this is resolved.

Stressednewhomeowner

So after being a little bit freaked out today, I've managed to find the MSC certificate! Not from solicitor but left in the house, so all the original documentation. 
Haven't had a chance to look at it yet, but I'll certainly sleep easier tonight.