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Renewable Energy: PV installation on a new build - FIT, electricity connections and timings

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    The roof of my new build will hopefully be going on this month and the PV panels should be installed either at the end of the month or early October.

    We currently have a temporary electricity supply on the site and EDF have said that they can't register me for the FIT before the house is completed. I'm obviously keen to register for the FIT this year given the recent announcements.

    Is what EDF have told me consistent with other people's experiences? You cannot connect your panels to the temporary supply on site?

    It is highly unlikely we'll be fully complete by the end of the year, but we should have the windows and most of the doors installed. At what point in the build process did people move to their permanent electricity supplies? I'm hoping I can move to the permanent electricity supply before the build is completed.

    Thanks
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      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeSep 2nd 2015
     
    To get the FIT, you need the final EPC for the building (i.e. one that uses the as-built information in the SAP calcs). In particular, I found you need the airtightness test result. So the house does have to be essentially complete, but you do NOT need the completion certificate, just the EPC.

    You do need the MPAN of your import meter, so I think that means you will need to have your permanent electricity supply connected, but you can do that at any time. I had my permanent electricity and water supplies connected before I started building the house.
  3.  
    Thank you for the info. I might not have all that information by the end of the year which could mean a big loss with regard to the FIT tarrifs unfortunately...

    Out of curioristy how did you have your permanent electricity supply connected before you started building the house? Where did the meter go if there was no house to put it in?
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      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeSep 2nd 2015
     
    Posted By: richardelliotOut of curioristy how did you have your permanent electricity supply connected before you started building the house? Where did the meter go if there was no house to put it in?

    We built the garage first and put it on that. It also cut the distance from the road to the meter so it was less than the limit for a standard price connection :wink:
    • CommentAuthorcjard
    • CommentTimeSep 2nd 2015 edited
     
    Posted By: djhTo get the FIT, you need the final EPC for the building (i.e. one that uses the as-built information in the SAP calcs). In particular, I found you need the airtightness test result. So the house does have to be essentially complete, but you do NOT need the completion certificate, just the EPC.
    .


    Interesting. I spoke to the designer of my house today who has been collecting the FIT on his own panel array for a few years now, before the house was built. The panels are in the garden on a frame, hooked up to the temporary supply to the site
  6.  
    I asked my installers if they'd certificate the panels on frames in the back garden and they said part of the process was attesting they were in the final location so they wouldn't do it. It might well depend on how friendly your installer is.

    I'm going to try everything I can to get the FIT before it is effectively withdrawn.
  7.  
    Interesting. I spoke to the designer of my house today who has been collecting the FIT on his own panel array for a few years now, before the house was built. The panels are in the garden on a frame, hooked up to the temporary supply to the site

    I think the EPC thing is relatively recent in the FIT thing. I installed a hydro scheme in 2010 at my old house and had very few 'hoops' to jump through, certainly no EPC. Thought about doing it for my new turbine on my new build a couple of years ago too and there was no mention of EPC. Not sure why you need that MPAN number, my house was 'off grid' so I left it blank, though things may well be different now. They seem to keep 'moving the goal posts', probably to reduce payments and increase their overheads.
    • CommentAuthorteacosy
    • CommentTimeSep 3rd 2015
     
    I’m currently jumping through these hoops and finding it is as djh says.

    We had the panels installed as the roof went on in April while the scaffolding was still in place, also so the builder could make airtight round the cable into the house (we have insulated roof).
    Western Power did their bit to move the overhead supply and meter from the garage down the pole and underground into the house in July, once electrician had installed consumer unit.
    PV installer connected the panels up end of August.

    To see what info is needed you can download a FIT application form from, eg. the Ecotricity website.
    The form needs an EPC number and MCS certificate number with commissioning date.

    To get EPC I have to complete an ‘as built’ SAP assessment, as this is what generates the EPC.
    Amongst a whole encyclopaedia of information on other measures, the SAP assessment needs an air test certificate. It also needs the MCS certificate number for the PV installation.

    PV installer only willing to dish out MCS certificate number upon receipt of payment, upon completion of installation.

    Then I need the tiler to finish the floor, so that the plumber can finish installing the downstairs sanitaryware, and the builder to make airtight around the holes that have appeared in my wall for ASHP pipework…then I’ll be ready for my air test.

    Meanwhile to put a smile on my face when the sun comes out, I’ve had an Immersun installed, which is using surplus power generated to heat the water in my hot water tank.
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      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeSep 3rd 2015
     
    Posted By: teacosyPV installer only willing to dish out MCS certificate number upon receipt of payment, upon completion of installation.

    But he's already completed the installation, yes? It's one of those I'll swap you the cheque for the cert situations. FWIW, at some stage during the process I think I noticed somewhere that the installer is not allowed to withhold the MCS cert, but obviously many do try. Fortunately, I didn't get into a situation where I had to discover whether that was true.
    • CommentAuthorteacosy
    • CommentTimeSep 3rd 2015
     
    Yup, installation completed, PV man paid, MCS certificate now in my possession, scanned and emailed off to SAP assessor.
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      CommentAuthorSteamyTea
    • CommentTimeSep 3rd 2015
     
    I seem to remember that it was an OFGEN ruling that that the certificate was only handed out once payment had been received.
    But it was a few years ago I was involved with this.
    •  
      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeSep 3rd 2015
     
    Posted By: camillitechI think the EPC thing is relatively recent in the FIT thing.


    http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/finance-incentives/fits

    "Since 1st April 2012 customers must provide an EPC with their Feed-in Tariff (FIT) application"
  13.  
    http://www.microgenerationcertification.org/finance-incentives/fits

    "Since 1st April 2012 customers must provide an EPC with their Feed-in Tariff (FIT) application"

    Pretty recent by my standards :-) been building the house for four years :-( Nearly there now, fingers crossed for the end of the month. Air tightness test done a few weeks ago, it was the best he's ever done apart from one house built to PH standard.

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