Advice needed: Solar panels never registered with DNO - and installer refusing to do so

arioooo8

Hello - wondered if someone can help. I moved into a new property which has solar panels. The installation was done in 2016 and I have the MSC certificate.

I understand the installation was never registered for Feed in Tariff or SEG and that's what's I want to do (i.e. feed the power back to the grid and get discounts on my energy bill).

I contacted my energy provider (Octopus) who said I need to provide a number from the DNO (SSED) in order to move to them. 

I contacted SSED who said my installation was never registered by the installers back in 2016 and that I need to contact them so that they can fill in some form and register the installation retrospectively.

I contacted the installers and they say they won't do this because the installation is older than 2020 and therefore I don't qualify for SEG. 

I contacted Octopus again who said I am perfectly eligible for SEG even though panels were installed in 2016 (as long as they are registered with the DNO).

I contacted the installers again urging them to complete the DNO notification (I understand it's a legal obligation for them to do so) and they are ignoring me now.

I am really annoyed - what do I do? Do I go to a solicitor? I can't fathom why they wouldn't do it. Could there be some dodgy dealing behind? How do I get them to complete the DNO registration?

Thanks in advance.

Keep_pedalling

I had exactly the same issue when me moved into our bungalow earlier this year, solar panels installed with new build 6 years ago. I never needed to contact the original supplier, I spoke to the DNO and the woman I spoke to was extremely helpful sent me the form to complete to the best of my ability and within a week it was sorted. 

mmmmikey

Yes, contact your DNO directly and explain the situation to them. My DNO is National Grid and they could not have been more helpful in resolving a similar issue.

vic_sf49

I moved my deemed export under the old FIT arrangement with EDF, to metered export with Octopus (Outgoing tariff), and Octopus dealt with the DNO bit for me. (Transfer completed July 2024.)

I had an MCS certificate, but the solar system was installed back in 2012 (prior to me buying this property), and it wasn't common/required to have the DNO bit done back them. Don't know why.

But a bit of waffle there, that says should Octopus not be sorting that for you, as part of the process....unless something has changed in 3 months.

Have a look at their FAQs. 

Edited to add... when dealing with them via email, their staff didn't always know what they were doing. Their staff on Twitter/X were far better and faster, at answering private messages, so maybe contact them that way.

(I hate phoning, and like things in writing, so I resurrected an old, rarely used Twitter account, just to contact them.)

NedS

mmmmikey said:

Yes, contact your DNO directly and explain the situation to them. My DNO is National Grid and they could not have been more helpful in resolving a similar issue.

Same experience here with NG (DNO) - they were more than sympathetic and extremely helpful at getting everything correctly registered.

As stated above, you do not need the installers to register the install with the DNO - you can do this yourself with the help of the DNO. Just explain to them that the installer is non-responsive and that you may need a little help with any technical aspects of the form.

Qyburn

What size is the system, inverter maximum power in either kW or Amps?

Legally either notification, or a valid connection offer and acceptance was required irrespective of whether you get export payments. It's to do with the effect your system has on the DNO's network and possibly on your neighbours as well.