FIT's for the uninitiated !

[russ_fae_fyvie]

As I am looking at installing an Off Grid PV System I have been asking around to see the best ones,etc. However I do need some basic info on the possible Feed In Tarrifs and if they are relevent to Off Grid Systems and to what sort of level.

I know absolutely nothing about this other then possibly getting money from those who normally take it off us !!

Any basic info would be gratefully received !!

ta

 

[Ted]

Hello Russ and welcome.

Now is probably just the wrong time to be trying to decide this as the details of the FITs scheme are still unfinished and with the consultation phase running until 15th October it probably won't be until the start of next year before we know anything for certain.

The current proposal is that off-grid systems should be included in the scheme and if that was actually introduced then the proposed tariff for < 4kWp PV would be 36.5p/kWh retrofit or 31p/kWh on a new build. Systems would have to be MCS accredited products (panels and inverters) and put in by an MCS accredited installer.

Exactly how an off-grid owner would get paid - if you have no utility bills - hasn't been figured out yet either.

[russ_fae_fyvie]

Hi Ted

Thanks for that, its more than I knew before !

I could possibly be next year before we eventually get the power in place because although the house is built, we need to sell or old house to allow us to pay for the final bits.

i will keep my eyes on what going on though now I know whats likely to happen so thanks for that.

ta
www.russquinlan.co.uk

[Rooster]

Interesting house Russ, and some great pictures.

Good luck with the off grid system .... and the FITs!

[jotec]

Love the house.
We did a similar but much smaller cabin 2 years ago for Mum. If I do another self build I will certainly go down the wooden cabin route.

I am at a similar position with FITs just started a CHP, trying to get my head round them and hoping to make the most of them when they come in.

Cabin pics
http://dpks.co.uk/Cabin/cabin%20frame.htm


D ick

[Mudman]

great house and location- and i'm benefitting from the discussion on your other thread about PV- very useful.

off topic i know but out of interest, are you on the mains water system in this house?

MM

[Ted]

One extra point to mention about off-grid and FITs (and relevant to the use of SMA Islanding kit discussed on the other thread):

For off-grid systems FITs will likely be paid on total generation but only where it can be shown that the generated energy has actually been used. i.e. if it has been diverted to a heat dump and lost to the atmosphere then you can't strictly claim for it. This situation could arise if your system generates but have already fully charged batteries, for example.  If you have the dump set to heat water then you have a stronger case to argue that you should be paid for it.

Another outstanding issue for off-grid and FITs is exactly how will generation be measured. To qualify for ROCs you need to install a 230V meter from the OFGEM approved list. Not much use if your system is entirely 12V or 48V.

[rogeriko]

I have put a 230v meter after the inverter on several off grid systems just to see how much energy is actually produced. For the dump load situation the controller (non PWM type) could just energise a relay that would turn on a 230 volt hot water heater that way you could get paid for the power because it would register on the meter.

[Ted]

Unfortunately that method of metering will only work if you have a single renewables technology (e.g. wind or PV but not both) and no back-up non-renewable method (e.g. diesel generator) to charge the battery.

If you have multiple technologies, with no diesel backup, and a single meter on the 230V output from an inverter then you will only get paid for all generation at the lowest tariff level - e.g. 23p for wind rather than 36.5p for PV.  (This would apply to the same situation on-grid as well.)