existing FIT and new panels

pete-20-11

In the above example, it is probably fine to have a completely separate system as long as you're not expecting to be paid export from the new system 

The fit generation meter would need to be reading only the generation from the old system and the fit export would have to be deemed export.

It could cause a problem if the fit people wanted to move the person from deemed fit export to measured fit export - as they wouldn't be able to measure just the export from the original system? Maybe they wouldn't force the move to measured fit export because of that - the government don't want to be paying for more than they are obliged to! 

pete-20-11

However, the best solution would probably be to give up the fit export payments in favour of SEG export payments.

(Leaving fit generation payments in place, subject to no changes to the fit system or changes that are likely to be approved and pro-rated payments etc etc).


It's likely that more money could be earned that way. Obviously do your own calculations, but there are better tariffs when you have SEG and potentially exporting more too (unless the plan is to use and store as near to 100% of the solar as possible). 

bigrw

I'm on about 45 p though so I don't really want to lose it...

Reed_Richards

There is no reason whatsoever why you could not do that @Heedtheadvice .  But it would mean that you would be exporting electricity from the new system without being paid for that and there is no need to do that.  Good idea for the MoneyWastingExpert forum?

A system that can be switched between on-grid and off-grid is not that easy to achieve whilst meeting the necessary safety standards.  Again something that could be done but possibly not for any economic benefit.  

Reed_Richards

I have not done this myself but here is what I think you need to do:

1. Get a smart meter fitted if you don't already have one.  This will measure what you actually export.
2. Find an SEG provider who pays a good rate for exported electricity.  You may have to move your electricity supplier to be that same company in order to get that good rate.
3. Ask to move the export part of your FIT payments to this provider and to be paid for actual export.  By all accounts this can take some time. 
4. Fit the new solar system
5. Tell your SEG provider about the new system; they may need to see your MCS certification and your DNO permission.
6. If your SEG provider is happy then they should then pay you for all electricity that you export.  Meanwhile you will have continued to receive your FIT generation payments as before.      

bigrw

On point 6 you say will have continued. Will they then stop after that? 

michaels

bigrw said:

I'm on about 45 p though so I don't really want to lose it...

You don't lose 45p.  You lose the 6.x p x 50% of generation deemed export payment.  You still get the 38.x p of 100% of generation payment.  Lot of people don't seem to know this.

pete-20-11

Don't forget you need an export MPAN somewhere in that list of steps.

I think the energy company e.g. octopus applies for it via the DNO.

Can't remember at what stage though. I think after giving up FIT export. So somewhere around step 3 or 4 or 5. 

pete-20-11

bigrw said:

On point 6 you say will have continued. Will they then stop after that? 

 No. They continue. Switching fit export to SEG export doesn't impact fit generation payments part.

Changing the original solar system could impact that, tread carefully (that's advice to anyone reading this!) if thinking of changing some parts of the original FIT approved equipment. 

Adding a completely separate solar system, that should be fine, as long as the original system including it's generation meter is completely separate from the new system. 

Reed_Richards

pete-20-11 said:

Don't forget you need an export MPAN somewhere in that list of steps.

That was meant to be implicit in Step 3, and the reason why I said it might take some time; because people comment here that getting the export MPAN can take some time.