Exporting solar energy to the grid

alvachadwick

For a space of 6 months, my solar panels were exporting excess power to the grid. Octopus had not yet accepted my exports. This was due to the incompetence of my fitting company and the National Grid. So I have 6 months of exported energy that no-one has paid me for. I’m trying to correct this. 

It’s not my energy companies fault as they didn’t come on line until the 26th October l. All my excess energy was going to the National Grid, who also dragged their feet in making me live. Is it them who owe me for the energy, or my fitting company as compensation for their incompetence. Any advice would be gratefully received. 

Thank you 

[Deleted User]

I would suggest that nobody owes you anything.

What actually happened - as in what was the problem?

What did you think would happen to your excess generation before you had all the right things in place?

What was the incompetence of the fitters?

How have National Grid (I assume you mean the company - as in the old WPD licence holder - rather than the national grid in general) "dragged their feet"?  What have they done and why do you think it has taken longer than it should?

DeeQS

This isn't actually that unusual. Not sure you can do anything. I'm guessing it's the DNO application (which you're referring to as the "national grid" which is actually the local distributor) that took the time. The DNO is to sign off your install into the local power distribution before you can be paid. However, the install doesn't have to wait for the DNO application to be processed before install, if the installation is under a specific size.

I understand that there's quite a long processing time on the DNO applications in some regions. Of course, your installer could have waited for the sign off, and then scheduled your install. Then you would have waited for the solar panels and not exported anything, or even self-consumed any of the solar energy. So, you're actually no worse of...

[Deleted User]

There is so much that is wrong with the OP’s post. For solar installations greater than 16amp per phase, DNO approval is required in advance of installation. The risk of not waiting is that the DNO could impose limitations such as a requirement for a 3-phase supply; higher amperage main fuse or a site export limitation. 

The installation is live from the moment that the installer connects the panels to the inverter and the inverter to the Grid. However, before any payments can be made to the exporter, the supplier has to apply to the DNO for an export MPAN for the meter. Before applying to the DNO for an export MPAN, suppliers will normally ask for a MCS or equivalent certificate and for DNO sign off on the completed installation. Once the National Database has been updated with the export MPAN, the supplier will pay SEG export payments.

Yes, the process takes time but getting an export MPAN has nothing to do with the solar installer. Arguably, as the homeowner has to sign the application to the DNO, this is also a homeowner responsibility. I am not sure why the OP thinks that someone should pay for the energy exported to the Grid when there was no mechanism in place to pay him for it.

MarkFromCornwall

alvachadwick said:

Any advice would be gratefully received. 

Thank you 

You're doing better than me.  It took longer than 6 months for me to get things sorted so that I am now paid for my exported electricity.  The rate exporters are paid is so low that it's hardly worth making a fuss about.  The huge advantage of having solar panels is that they greatly reduce the amount of electricity you need to buy (except in winter).  I think of any payment I receive for my surplus as a nice little bonus.

macman

I am shortly to apply for Outgoing Octopus and have a related issue. My solar PV install goes back to 2006, which I think predates the issuing of MCS certificates. Can anyone advise what alternative certification can be accepted?
I have a G83 form which I think serves as notification to the DNO, but nothing other than an installer certificate in place of an MCS certificate.

[Deleted User]

When I applied for SEG, Octopus wanted to see both the application and DNO sign off on the completed installation.

Para 4.6 but Octopus will only accept MCS.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2019/12/guidance_for_seg_licensees_final.pdf

QrizB

macman said:

I am shortly to apply for Outgoing Octopus and have a related issue. My solar PV install goes back to 2006, which I think predates the issuing of MCS certificates. Can anyone advise what alternative certification can be accepted?
I have a G83 form which I think serves as notification to the DNO, but nothing other than an installer certificate in place of an MCS certificate.

I think you should explain your situation to Octopus. You're a special case - there aren't many pre-MCS solar PV systems!

macman

[Deleted User] said:

When I applied for SEG, Octopus wanted to see both the application and DNO sign off on the completed installation.

Para 4.6 but Octopus will only accept MCS.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2019/12/guidance_for_seg_licensees_final.pdf

If so, I'm stuffed. I will have to stay on 50% deemed export with EDF. 

macman

QrizB said:

macman said:

I am shortly to apply for Outgoing Octopus and have a related issue. My solar PV install goes back to 2006, which I think predates the issuing of MCS certificates. Can anyone advise what alternative certification can be accepted?
I have a G83 form which I think serves as notification to the DNO, but nothing other than an installer certificate in place of an MCS certificate.

I think you should explain your situation to Octopus. You're a special case - there aren't many pre-MCS solar PV systems!

I am trying to do just that. I emailed Octopus SEG a week ago explaining why I did not have an MCS cert and asking what else might be acceptable. The reply came back today, simply referring me to the Outgoing FAQ's page (which I had already studied in detail before emailing them). No attempt to actually answer my enquiry: rather disappointing from a company like them.
Given that I am already on the FIT's register, this is a fairly absurd bureaucratic obstacle.
The perils of being an early adopter...

chris_n

I was under the impression that MCS was a prerequisite for FIT.