Replacing faulty and old solar panels with higher wattage. FIT question.

wpp34

Current situation is 12x200w panels on roof of 3 storey house. Panels are 12 years old and one has failed, as they are connected in series no power generated! Scaffolding is in place to repair and has cost £800 so wonder whether  l should consider replacing all of them whilst it is up. Cannot get 200w so it is likely the replacement system will be more than 2400w. Installer tells me this not allowed but my reading of Ofgem regulations is that the FIT payment would be pro-rated, ie if new system 3000w then I would be paid for 80% of the power generated.
Am I correct?

QrizB

There is a guidance document from Ofgem that says what changes are acceptable (I don't have a copy to hand but you might be able to Google it). I think you are correct but please check that your FIT provider agrees with your proposal. It is your provider and Ofgem who need to be satisfied, not your installer.

It might have been a good idea to have agreed this with your FIT supplier before getting to this stage.

Solar power mostly gets discussed on the Green and Ethical sub-forum but some of the regulars also visit Energy. You may get a reply from someone in the same situation.

Dolor

QrizB said:

There is a guidance document from Ofgem that says what changes are acceptable (I don't have a copy to hand but you might be able to Google it). I think you are correct but please check that your FIT provider agrees with your proposal. It is your provider and Ofgem who need to be satisfied, not your installer.

It might have been a good idea to have agreed this with your FIT supplier before getting to this stage.

Solar power mostly gets discussed on the Green and Ethical sub-forum but some of the regulars also visit Energy. You may get a reply from someone in the same situation.

I think this is what you are looking for:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-12/Feed%20in%20Tariffs_Consultation%20on%20the%20treatment%20of%20replacement%20generating%20equipment_Decision_13122021.pdf

The message seems to be ‘at your own risk’.

wpp34

My current situation is 12x200w panels on roof of 3 storey house. Panels are 12 years old and one has failed, as they are connected in series no power generated! Scaffolding is in place to repair and has cost £800 so wonder whether  l should consider replacing all of them whilst it is up. Cannot get 200w so it is likely the replacement system will be more than 2400w. Installer tells me this not allowed but my reading of Ofgem regulations is that the FIT payment would be pro-rated, ie if new system 3000w then I would be paid for 80% of the power generated.
Am I correct? If so can anyone advise on how to go about getting the FIT agreement updated.
(originally posted in Energy forum.)

Martyn1981

Hiya. This is an issue that comes up a lot, and also causes a lot of confusion. Not helped by OFGEM having appalling wording, that confused many.

But good news, you can upgrade, and have the FiT's pro-rated as you say, and even OFGEM decided their wording was difficult and have clarified it.

But ..... I'd absolutely check, and double check with your FiT provider first, and whilst a phone chat may be useful, as it's a confusing issue, I'd go with e-mail and get it in writing. In fact when I did this (but didn't then upgrade), I went back again with some silly question deliberately to get the confirmation again. Paranoid, I know, but not worth mucking up the FiT process.


Here's the thread where I tried to compile all of the information. If you waste your time and read the posts, you will see where I caveated my suggestions by pointing out how 'iffy' the OFGEM wording was. [Edit - Just to say that was a dig at myself, and my long posts, not others, nor the discussion, which was interesting. M.] But the final post (when I got really excited  ) includes the update when OFGEM clarified the issue.

Expanding Existing Solar System and adding battery and keeping fits payments

QrizB

Original thread here:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6452913/replacing-faulty-and-old-solar-panels-with-higher-wattage-fit-question