Industrial units connected to field arrays classed as retrofit - or not?

[freddyuk]

If there was an industrial site with several units having their own individual MPAN's (3 phase) but the roofs are asbestos then roof mounted PV is not an option.
If there is a parcel of land next door where ground mount PV could be installed and supplies run to each unit then I assume this would be eligible for FIT/export  up to 50 kw per unit? The systems would not be classed as "Standalone" as they are supplying rented units with the power. The distance is about 15/20 metres from array to units.

The DNO would need to agree to G59 installations for each unit. Planning would be required for each system (unit). (a nearby solar farm provides some comfort in this respect)

The site is supplied by overhead cable via a dedicated transformer (do not know the capacity yet) which comes down very close to the available array site. If the DNO says the transformer needs upgrading then we may need to get a bigger one but the cable run is only max 20 metres.
The DNO is only concerned about the other customers on this bit of network and therefore we should be able to negotiate  either using the existing transformer or consider upgrading. The site is currently under utilised but must have considerable excess capacity as a dedicated industrial area. (maybe three dwellings included).

If the freeholders of the units agreed to allow the leaseholders to take the FIT income and the planning was passed and the financing made sense what else would need to be considered for such a deal post August 1st.

[kevtin101]

Sounds similar to my plan,

yes up to 50kw you would receive FIT/export but it will be classed as standalone so at a lower rate.

Iam awaiting the DNO feedback on what i need to do to install the maximum array i can.

Regards Kevin.

[Ted]

It shouldn't be classed as stand-alone, as that only applies where the power is fed directly to the grid rather than via a building. Ground-mounted or roof-mounted are treated the same where they both feed a building.

You are taking a gamble on whether OFGEM will deem this to be a single site (at 150kW) or 3 separate 50kW ones. This dramatically affects the tariff as I'm sure you are aware - 32.9p compared to 19p.  Postcode, OS map ref, MPANs, and anything else OFGEM dream up (such as number of planning applications) can all affect this. OFGEM usually refuse to give an indication prior to the system being installed and registered.

[freddyuk]

Thanks Ted,

I did read your other posts and came to this plan based on each unit being deemed a separate "entity" as far as FIT's is concerned. If each unit is truly a separate legally operating entity then the fact their PV arrays are in the same field should not be a hinderance I would have thought, especially if each unit leases their bit of land independently from a common landlord.
Your comment about OFGEM being so unhelpful is the issue if we have to install and then gamble on acceptance so we are unable to follow any specific rules.
By doing it this way I hope that it would be clearly independent installations with operating units using the production but owned by a common landlord. I think you made the comment that some legal advice would be required in these situations to ensure some chance of success.

[Ted]

I think you made the comment that some legal advice would be required in these situations to ensure some chance of success.

Maybe not success, but at least you would know all the angles and what points might trip you up.

[Justme]

Might be easier, cheaper & safer (financially) to get a specialist company in to fit the array's to the asbestos (are you sure it is?) roof or even replace the section of roof that the array's will be mounted on. Sheet metal roofs are relatively cheap to fit especially when compared to a floor mounted system, planning costs, cable & other install costs. Its at least worth running the numbers to see the implications.

[freddyuk]

Not an option as the roofs are nowhere near as big as the space available in the adjacent site! They are long and narrow Atcost so not viable although do face exactly South and I would only get a single row.