Landlord installed solar panels MCS issue

SBarnard

Hi,

I can't find an answer to this, and please point me in the right direction if there is one somewhere!

I'm in social housing, the property is owned by a housing association and I rent. The HA has just installed solar panels on my roof, and the inverter runs through my fuse box. I was initially told that I could get a MCS certificate and register with my energy provider for any surplus energy. I'm with Octopus if that's relevant - I choose who I get energy with, not the landlord.

They've now turned round and said I can't have the MCS certificate, and just get use of the panels while the sun shines. Which is great, and seems to be likely to reduce the electric bill, but I wondered if it's a case of they just didn't think it through, or if they're being awkward, or if there's a legal thing that stops them from passing the MCS certificate to me for registration. I know the MCS certificate can only initially be issued to the owner/installer - but is there a reason they can't give it to me as the tenant?

I've asked them for an explanation, and what happens to surplus energy generated, but they're not answering emails.

I just want to know if it's worth fighting them on this, or if their hands are tied.

Thanks!

NedS

Maybe this will help:

https://mcscertified.com/consumers-communities/certificate-queries/

But everything there seems to indicate you will need to prove you are the beneficial owner of the solar panels to obtain a copy of the certificate.

There were reports that MCS certificates were no longer required when registering for SEG payments. What do Octopus say?

Heedtheadvice

I would guess the landlord is trying to get the income via SEG from any generated export seeing as they paid for the installation!

You are both sharing the benefit and I would tend to try and maximise that over spring summer and the autumn.

Is there a smart meter that they get the readings for or is it under your control?

They can cooperate in theory to let you have any benefit that might come with the certificate such as any export payments or improved Tarrif that there might be.

I think it is still the case ( it was under the earlier FIT scheme) that export and purchase need not be with the same 'supplier' but I think the Tarrifs that take both into account ( one supplier ) could be best.

Not really an area of expertise but if/ where I am wrong it might prompt other to correct!!

70sbudgie

To benefit from the export, the landlord would have to register an export MPAN and have a smart meter fitted. As most smart meters can do import and export, I would be surprised if a second meter would be fitted to the same domestic supply. 

Do you know what size solar was installed? (How many panels?).

Also, is it a multi occupancy building?

Did the HA give you a reason for not letting you have the MCS cert?

You say that the inverter is connected to your fuse box, and that you choose your supplier - are you paying Octopus directly for your import?

SBarnard

Wow, thanks everyone!

To answer...

Octopus site has an online form that you can't complete without the MCS certificate or number.

The smart meter is under my control. They didn't fit a second meter - it's all running through mine.

They can cooperate - That's my thinking, they "can" but aren't.

It's 7 panels and an inverter box in the bedroom.

Not a multi-occupancy building - just my family in the house.

The reason given initially was, As the panels are owned by the landlord the tenant is not eligible. I challenged that, and now it's "Hang on while I talk to other departments" I suspect they didn't think it through, and that communication is just poor. That would fit with their track record over the past 12 years!

Yes, I pay Octopus directly for energy used. I choose the supplier and am responsible for paying for energy used.

I'll keep you updated - as it may help other tenants.

70sbudgie

ISBarnard said:

Wow, thanks everyone!

To answer...

Octopus site has an online form that you can't complete without the MCS certificate or number.

The smart meter is under my control. They didn't fit a second meter - it's all running through mine.

They can cooperate - That's my thinking, they "can" but aren't.

It's 7 panels and an inverter box in the bedroom.

Not a multi-occupancy building - just my family in the house.

The reason given initially was, As the panels are owned by the landlord the tenant is not eligible. I challenged that, and now it's "Hang on while I talk to other departments" I suspect they didn't think it through, and that communication is just poor. That would fit with their track record over the past 12 years!

Yes, I pay Octopus directly for energy used. I choose the supplier and am responsible for paying for energy used.

I'll keep you updated - as it may help other tenants.

To obtain an export tariff, your installation also needs to be approved by the DNO. If this has been done, there will be an email from the DNO. Have you asked the HA / installer about this?

If they won't/ can't provide this, I would suggest that you contact your DNO and ask if they have received a G98 notification/ G99 application for your property. You will need your import MPAN for this. As the legal occupier of the premises, they can't with hold that information from you. 

Your MPAN (meter point access number) will be on your electricity bills. It is a 16 digit number unique to your meter location. I thought that it was one of the bits of data covered by GDPR, but have recently learned that there are online tools that allow you to look up your MPAN with your address.

Qyburn

70sbudgie said:

ISBarnard said:
I would suggest that you contact your DNO and ask if they have received a G98 notification/ G99 application for your property. You will need your import MPAN for this. As the legal occupier of the premises, they can't with hold that information from you. 

While you're at it, ask the DNO whether there's an export MPAN registered.

SBarnard

HA mentioned a G98, along with the MCS.

DNO? I know that's the distribution network operator, but is that Octopus, or someone else?

70sbudgie

Plug your postcode into this:
https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operator
and it will tell you who your DNO is and also a phone number for their general enquiries.

Qyburn

SBarnard said:

HA mentioned a G98, along with the MCS.

G98 is th notification process for smaller installations. Subject to various conditions like type approved equipment and some other rules you don't have to ask permission before connecting. But you're require to notify that you have done so.

It's one of the two bits of paperwork Octopus ask for, to how that your installation complies. (The other one being MCS).

With those, Octopus apply to the DNO for an export MPAN. That's why I suggested asking if one already exists,which might indicate that "someone" is already claiming for export.

By the way, when I registered Octopus only needed the MCS certificate number not the certificate itself.

greenbee

If the landlord paid for the installation, maybe they are claiming the export to help recover some of the cost in much the way that rent a roof schemes work? Presumably there is no reason for them not to be able to do this as they own the panels (and the property) and the OP is already benefitting from the free solar?