Moved into House with Solar Panels

Gambler

Hi,

I moved into my house last February. It is only 3 years old and has 3 solar panels on the roof.

They do make a difference as I only used 900kwh in my first year here. According to my meter there were a further 550kwh exported back to the grid.

I'm trying to work out how to apply for SEG (currently with EON) but the application form requires all sorts of information such as diagram of the system, proof of ownership, MCS certification.

Unfortunately I don't have any of this information and I've never experienced solar before.

Any guidance would be much appreciated as c. £100 per year is better off in my pocket!

Thanks

Petriix

You'd have to chase the original owners for the documentation you require. This should have been done by your solicitor when you bought the house as it might be problematic at this point. 

Basically you'll need some kind of proof that the installation is compliant with the regs and was approved by the DNO and that no one else retains ownership of the panels. I'm unsure if anyone is able to provide the required documents retrospectively but maybe ask a local solar company for some advice. 

Keep_pedalling

As you don’t have any of the documentation I presume you are renting rather than having purchased the property in which case I don’t think you are entitled to any export payments. 

Gambler

Keep_pedalling said:

As you don’t have any of the documentation I presume you are renting rather than having purchased the property in which case I don’t think you are entitled to any export payments. 

I can confirm I own the property.

Keep_pedalling

We have just sold our place with solar panels also and are buying another with them so I am really surprised the lack of documentation was not raised by your solicitor. We had to provide proof of ownership, FIT payments and MCS certificate as did our sellers. 

First thing to do is to check to see if there actually is MCS certificate. If there is you can get a copy once you prove ownership. 

Martyn1981

Keep_pedalling said:

We have just sold our place with solar panels also and are buying another with them so I am really surprised the lack of documentation was not raised by your solicitor. We had to provide proof of ownership, FIT payments and MCS certificate as did our sellers. 

First thing to do is to check to see if there actually is MCS certificate. If there is you can get a copy once you prove ownership. 

Sounds like the best first step. I'm also wondering if the developers will be able to help - given it's just 3yrs old, and only 3 panels fitted (sounds a bit like compliance, or the least expense to promote having PV), then it was probably done when built.

So the developers/builders may be able to provide some info such as the installer?

Gambler

Martyn1981 said:

Keep_pedalling said:

We have just sold our place with solar panels also and are buying another with them so I am really surprised the lack of documentation was not raised by your solicitor. We had to provide proof of ownership, FIT payments and MCS certificate as did our sellers. 

First thing to do is to check to see if there actually is MCS certificate. If there is you can get a copy once you prove ownership. 

Sounds like the best first step. I'm also wondering if the developers will be able to help - given it's just 3yrs old, and only 3 panels fitted (sounds a bit like compliance, or the least expense to promote having PV), then it was probably done when built.

So the developers/builders may be able to provide some info such as the installer?

Thanks for the all the responses.

Definitely installed when built. Only 3 panels due to the design of the roof which has a number of skylights.

Keep_pedalling

I have seen lots of new builds with just 2 or three panels so just a bit of green washing really. The developers should be your first port of call, 

EricMears

Keep_pedalling said:

I have seen lots of new builds with just 2 or three panels so just a bit of green washing really. The developers should be your first port of call, 

Quite so.   Even if they haven't got copies of the individual paperwork,  they should at least know who the installer was.