CAUTION if you Upgrade your Solar PV and keep your FIT (Feed in Tariff) Payments

Eightseconds

Hi All,

In around 2021 OFGEM issued a new guidance (decision on replacement generating equipment) that allows you to replace your old solar PV panels with newer ones and keep the FIT payments for the full term. This covers both repairs and replacements for efficiency reasons. The new payments are calculated on a pro-rata basis for the new power generated in Kwh x (old kWp value/new kWp value) x current payment rate for your system.

Getting this done isn't simple, but it can be done. One recommendation is to notify your FIT provider beforehand and get written confirmation that they recognise this new regulation.

Despite this I want to flag an issue. Having done everything by the book, I filled in the change form for my provider. After some queries, they rejected my application on the basis that I had replaced the solar panels and the inverter at the same time. See below:

________________________

Thank you for your email and apologies for the inconveniences caused.

Please note that if in the maintenance works you replace the panels and the inverter at the same time, the installation must be decommissioned, and no part of the installation will be used again to apply for FIT.  The file you provided on 14/05/2026 from the installer states that both the panels and the inverter were replaced, which means we must decommission your FIT installation and you should apply for the SEG scheme.

Before we can request your installation to be decommissioned on the Central FIT Register, please provide the following information:

• Reason for removal of installation:

• Date of removal:

• Final reading from generation meter:

• Written confirmation from the Generator that installation has been removed and the installation will be used again to apply for FIT

Please specify that “no part of the installation will be used again to apply for FIT”. This is an essential statement to allow the decommissioning to proceed. 

Please note that, Ofgem will not action a decommissioning request if this exact wording is not specified on the decommissioning request, that “no part of the installation will be used again to apply for FIT”.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards, 

[redacted]

FIT Team

Scottish Power

________________________

This is completely wrong. But it would have been easy to accept their view. However I contacted OFGEM who gave me a written response that confirmed that I am still eligible for FIT payments on the pro-rata basis. I think this may be useful if other forumites get the same push-back.

See below:

________________________________

OFFICIAL
Good morning,

 Thank you for contacting the Renewable Electricity team at Ofgem.

An installation will be decommissioned if all the “plant” forming the installation is removed up to the point of grid connection. Plant is defined in the legislation as “any equipment, apparatus or appliance.” This is a broad term and would include items such as the wiring leading up to the point of grid connection. If equipment is only being repaired or replaced then it is not classed as decommissioning, unless all the Plant is removed at the same time (which, due to the broad definition, is unlikely to occur). 

Information about replacing equipment is available in chapter 3 of our guidance for FIT generators: Feed-in Tariffs: Guidance for FIT Generators | Ofgem. Paragraph 3.34 states the following:

The replacement or temporary removal of generating equipment (for example, during roof repairs) does not in itself affect the compliance of an installation. You may repair or replace all or some generating equipment and retain the installation’s accreditation, provided that the installation continues to meet the scheme rules.

I hope this has been helpful, if you have any questions please get back in touch.

 Please be aware that any eligibility information shared in this email is guidance only. It is not intended to provide legal or technical advice on how the regulations should be interpreted or itself to have legal effect. At all times, the onus is on the scheme user to ensure they are aware of the requirements of the regulations.

 Kind Regards,

 [redacted]

www.ofgem.gov.uk 

 

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OFFICIAL

QrizB

Glad you sorted it out.

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