Exporting solar energy to the grid

[Deleted User]

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

You are correct, and the Solar FIT Scheme started in 2010. The reference to 2006 seems a little strange.

macman

chris_n said:

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

Doubtless it is now, but MCS didn't exist when I registered back in 2006: as far as I can recall EDF just accepted the installer certificate. I did have some interaction with Ofgem, but it's so long ago that I don't remember the entire process in detail.

[Deleted User]

How do you become eligible for FIT payments:

’ The Feed-in Tariffs (FIT) scheme was designed by government to promote the uptake of renewable and low-carbon electricity generation.

Introduced on 1 April 2010, the scheme requires participating licensed electricity suppliers to make payments on electricity generated and exported by accredited installations.’

Source Ofgem

QrizB

Dolor said:

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

You are correct, and the Solar FIT Scheme started in 2010. The reference to 2006 seems a little strange.

The solar FIT scheme was open to pre-existing installations. This gets mentioned in some of the older MSE threads on the topic, eg:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/69624950/#Comment_69624950

(As an aside, that thread turned into a discussion of whether solar panels were ugly or not and this Daily Mail article was linked:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2209909/Solar-panels-ruin-picturesque-street.html
Looking at Google Maps, despite the NIMBYs in the DM article the property pictured still has its solar panels.)

macman

I don't recall exactly when I registered for FIT's, but MCS was introduced in 2007. My install was in 2006, so pre-dated it.
It hasn't prevented EDF from paying me FIT's for the last 12 years, so it would be perverse to prevent anyone migrating to SEG just because they lack MCS certification.

[Deleted User]

macman said:

I don't recall exactly when I registered for FIT's, but MCS was introduced in 2007. My install was in 2006, so pre-dated it.
It hasn't prevented EDF from paying me FIT's for the last 12 years, so it would be perverse to prevent anyone migrating to SEG just because they lack MCS certification.

Have you checked with your DNO that it is actually aware of your completed solar installation? Transfer your FIT to Octopus (ie; it becomes your FIT payer) and once set up ask to forego export payments in favour of SEG. Provide Octopus with confirmation that the DNO is happy with your installation and I cannot see why Octopus would object. If you are just trying to apply for SEG, I can see why the standard script is being read out.

macman

I have a copy of the DNO information form, but nothing to show that they ever acknowledged it. I am trying to transfer my FITs to Octopus once the smart meter is installed.

macman

Just to update if anyone is interested. I was contacted by someone from the Outgoing Octopus team who merely sent me a link to MCSCertified and suggested that they could supply me with an MCS cert.
MCS of course said they were unable to help and could only supply replacements for missing certificates, or amendments where the original install had been altered. No chance of obtaining an MCS cert for a system that predates MCS.
When I asked what their solution to this might be, they suggested that I 'could install a new solar PV system'...you really couldn't make it up.

ariarnia

macman said:

Just to update if anyone is interested. I was contacted by someone from the Outgoing Octopus team who merely sent me a link to MCSCertified and suggested that they could supply me with an MCS cert.
MCS of course said they were unable to help and could only supply replacements for missing certificates, or amendments where the original install had been altered. No chance of obtaining an MCS cert for a system that predates MCS.
When I asked what their solution to this might be, they suggested that I 'could install a new solar PV system'...you really couldn't make it up.

i wonder what would could as a new solar system? could you replace one panel or add a panel and register it as a 'new' system maybe. 

macman

ariarnia said:

macman said:

Just to update if anyone is interested. I was contacted by someone from the Outgoing Octopus team who merely sent me a link to MCSCertified and suggested that they could supply me with an MCS cert.
MCS of course said they were unable to help and could only supply replacements for missing certificates, or amendments where the original install had been altered. No chance of obtaining an MCS cert for a system that predates MCS.
When I asked what their solution to this might be, they suggested that I 'could install a new solar PV system'...you really couldn't make it up.

i wonder what would could as a new solar system? could you replace one panel or add a panel and register it as a 'new' system maybe. 

ariarnia said:

macman said:

Just to update if anyone is interested. I was contacted by someone from the Outgoing Octopus team who merely sent me a link to MCSCertified and suggested that they could supply me with an MCS cert.
MCS of course said they were unable to help and could only supply replacements for missing certificates, or amendments where the original install had been altered. No chance of obtaining an MCS cert for a system that predates MCS.
When I asked what their solution to this might be, they suggested that I 'could install a new solar PV system'...you really couldn't make it up.

i wonder what would could as a new solar system? could you replace one panel or add a panel and register it as a 'new' system maybe. 

Possibly, and then maybe apply for an amendment cert. Not even sure if that would be possible without an original cert though. But the cost benefit would be non-existent, as the system is only 6 panels, 1.7kWp.