Solar install this week

NedS

Hi,

My solar install is going ahead this week. What paperwork / documentation will I need from the installer to get registered with my energy supplier (Octopus) for SEG payments?

In the meantime, I assume it's just a case of use it, or lose it for any solar generation until registered for SEG payments (may take up to 4-6 weeks as I understand so I'm likely to lose most of this summer)?

Screwdriva

Best of luck with your installation. Here is a subset of the tips I share prior to new installations:

1) Pay the installer you end up contracting with a credit card, even if it's just the deposit. This will provide Section 75 protection for the entire installation should the installer disappear. 

2) Always check each component (but especially the inverter and panels) when they arrive at the location prior to installation. Sometimes installer inventory will incorrectly get switched due to error etc. 

3) Be politely detailed with any installation instructions when it comes to panel placement and wiring on the day of. Installers often chose the path of least resistance, which may not match your aesthetic requirements, so remember to be upfront and specific at the start of the day. This applies to panels, trunking, inverter & battery placement.

4) Always ask for a video of the roof before they come down (assuming you can't see any part of it) to ensure no tiles have been left broken. 

Slinky

NedS said:

In the meantime, I assume it's just a case of use it, or lose it for any solar generation until registered for SEG payments (may take up to 4-6 weeks as I understand so I'm likely to lose most of this summer)?

Yes it's use it or lose it. Ours took about 5 weeks to start being paid, through a frustratingly good spell of July/August weather.

Console yourself with the weather being so  awful this year, days of endless sunshine look unlikely, so you'll be missing out much less.

pete-20-11

NedS said:

Hi,

My solar install is going ahead this week. What paperwork / documentation will I need from the installer to get registered with my energy supplier (Octopus) for SEG payments?

In the meantime, I assume it's just a case of use it, or lose it for any solar generation until registered for SEG payments (may take up to 4-6 weeks as I understand so I'm likely to lose most of this summer)?

The process is detailed here, but in short you'll need an MCS cert from the installer, a letter from the DNO (via the installer) to say the install is approved or just a notification if it doesn't need pre-approval, plus an MPAN (Via the supplier).

https://octopus.energy/smart/smart-export-guarantee/

charles_b_2

I'm waiting for mine after my installation completed Monday.  MCS 10 working days, Octopus 2 days, DNO to supply MPAN 1-4 weeks, applying to account 1 week
As I'm in SSEN region it will likely be 4 weeks for DNO.
Currently giving away 10-20 KwH a day 

Petriix

Octopus aren't particularly good at chasing the DNO for the MPAN so I suggest you follow up with them directly and give Octopus a nudge when it comes through, otherwise you might end up waiting unnecessarily. 

NedS

Thank you everyone, for the helpful replies.

Petriix said:

Octopus aren't particularly good at chasing the DNO for the MPAN so I suggest you follow up with them directly and give Octopus a nudge when it comes through, otherwise you might end up waiting unnecessarily. 

How long would you leave it before chasing up with the DNO? Just checked - my DNO is National Grid

pete-20-11

NedS said:

Thank you everyone, for the helpful replies.

Petriix said:

Octopus aren't particularly good at chasing the DNO for the MPAN so I suggest you follow up with them directly and give Octopus a nudge when it comes through, otherwise you might end up waiting unnecessarily. 

How long would you leave it before chasing up with the DNO? Just checked - my DNO is National Grid

Maybe give it two weeks and then check. Or if they say it'll be six weeks, cheeky chase after 4?

This website will tell you your DNO

https://www.powercut105.com/en/

I was with western power distribution, but that's now called national grid customers.

However I actually have two DNOs - the house builder put in their network and independent gas transport too - so I have to contact that DNO rather than WPD/NGC.

pete-20-11

NedS said:

Thank you everyone, for the helpful replies.

Petriix said:

Octopus aren't particularly good at chasing the DNO for the MPAN so I suggest you follow up with them directly and give Octopus a nudge when it comes through, otherwise you might end up waiting unnecessarily. 

How long would you leave it before chasing up with the DNO? Just checked - my DNO is National Grid

Oh I misread your message as "just checking" rather than "just checked" 😁🤦

Petriix

NedS said:

Thank you everyone, for the helpful replies.

Petriix said:

Octopus aren't particularly good at chasing the DNO for the MPAN so I suggest you follow up with them directly and give Octopus a nudge when it comes through, otherwise you might end up waiting unnecessarily. 

How long would you leave it before chasing up with the DNO? Just checked - my DNO is National Grid

I chased my DNO (UK Power Networks) after 6 weeks and it turned out that they'd issued the MPAN after a few days and Octopus simply hadn't done anything with it. A quick message via Twitter and my export was up and running within a few days. Thankfully it was November-January so the exports I wasn't paid for were minimal. 

NedS

Solar install complete, nice sunny day today so we've been propping up the grid, free of charge

Thanks for all the replies - just waiting for our paperwork so we can begin the process with Octopus.