DECC penalise early adopters.

[dhaslam]

Another one is  when one door closes another one shuts


I have just been looking at the Irish equivalent  to FIT.    It needs a  certificate covering the grid  tie inverter, which is probably possible but there also needs to be a similar certificate covering the  generator   and for a home made wind generator  that may not be possible.   Looks like I may have to use a partly off grid system with  mains for high power items and topping up batteries.  An advantage would be the ability to add  PV  to the battery charging capacity.     


www.esb.ie/esbnetworks/downloads/conditions_governing_the_connection_and_operation_of_microgeneration_131106.pdf

[billi]

dhaslam

Do you know , if it is possible in Ireland to do a self install (of PV )  or do you need an  approved installer ?

thanks Billi

[dhaslam]

It seems that PV should be OK provided that the  panels have some sort of documentation showing that they comply. The installation would need to be made by a qualified electrician.   The regulations are based  on European standards but with  slightly different tolerances  to other countries.   This is what makes the  inverter  choice more limited.   

The previously attached document  section 4 for one off connections doesn't specifically mention a qualified installer but the general terms of electricity connection would cover it.       

[Alan]

If one had been grid connected with various means of solar / wind generating devices for years, export given away about 8000 K.W.H.  But never actually got round to phoning / writing to any one to advise them about what’s going on.
Paper work not a strong point. Would not expect payment for the past.
Is it to late to do any thing about Fits / whatever. Who should I call / write to.

Regards

Alan

[Ted]

First you'll need an approved total generation meter if you don't already have one, then register with OFGEM with details of your system. Then contact your DNO to tell them you have a G83 generator connection

See http://www.navitron.org.uk/forum/index.php/topic,9980.0.html and https://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk/ and use the Register link.

Second-hand OFGEM meters (such as ISKRA ME160) can be had on ebay for £15.

Do all this asap - you've got until 31st March.

[Nicedad]

Hi Ted,

As informative as ever.

I'm in a similar situation. PV system built in the autumn. Part P inspected and signed off early December but haven't registered with OFGEM or DNO.

Yes I know I should have contacted them within 30 days.

Could I still register and will I receive any payment post April 2010?

Regards   

[Alan]

I have fitted a ELSTER Import / Export A100C meter on the house.

Solar has a mechanical meter GEC type C11B3A-H

Wind has A mechanical meter GEC type C11B3A-H

The mechanical ones probably wont be type approved.
Do I need type approved meters for solar and wind as well.
Or is the payment the same for both.
And the house import / export meter will do.

Waiting for password from Ofgem

Regards

Alan

[Ted]

GEC C11B3 are approved OFGEM meters. You'll need the serial numbers to pass to OFGEM. Register them as two separate systems.

Nicedad, you should be in line for at least the 9p FIT. As I said before DECC have not made it explicitly clear what rate people registering non-MCS systems before the 31st March ROC deadline will actually get. Look on anything more than 9p as a 'bankers bonus'.

[Alan]

Thanks Ted

I cant see any unique serial numbers on the GEC C11B3A meters. Do you think that will be a problem.

I can fit an Elster Import / Export meter to each grid inverter. Is that a better option.

Regards

Alan

[linesrg]

Good Evening,

I'm back onshore and was reading through the copy of Hansard sent to me by Malcolm' Bruce's office. My 'situation' did get a mention. A part of the debate centred around fuel poverty. It was intersting for me to find out how winter fuel payments are determined. Apparently Huntly's temperature is determined by the airport at Dyce (Aberdeen Airport) but Alford's is determined by Braemar. Malcolm highlighted that he had experienced a 12degree C difference in temperature between his front door and the western edge of his constituency recently. I experienced an 8degree C difference in 14 miles to Inverurie last leave.

I know this isn't 'on subject' but it was a part of the same debate - the issue of the rigidty of energy saving grants was raised by Malcolm. This is close to my heart as we live in a stone built farmhouse and no previous schemes have been any use. He also raised the issue of no VAT relief on insulation improvments for the likes of myself (although referring to another of his constituents).

If everybody is sitting down do you want to hear what my LPG bill was for the last delivery although it did cover the period from about Jan 22nd - Mar 9th - a mere £416.29. That's £760 since Dec 22nd.

I need to find the money and time to improve more of the house insulation!!

Regards

Richard

[chrismeilak]

I phoned up the energy saving trust today and the lady confirmed as long as my system is ro registered by the 31st march 2010 i will be transfered to the fit at 41.3. She also pointed me to this document
http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations/elec_financial/elec_financial.aspx     (FITs - consultation response and Gov decisions)
This confirms.

[Iain]

Part of a letter received today from the Energy Saving Trust

"If your system was commissioned;

 

on or after 15th July 2009 and the installation is MCS compliant:

Þ     you will be eligible for the full tariff rate.

Þ     You can wait until 1st April and apply under the FITs scheme directly

Þ     From 1st April 2010, contact an energy supplier that offers FITs, and send them your MCS certificate to tell them you are eligible to receive FITs.  (You are not restricted to your current energy supplier.)

on or after 15th July 2009 and is not MCS compliant:

Þ     you will be eligible for the full tariff rate.

Þ     To benefit from this tariff you must have applied to Ofgem to register for the Renewables Obligation (RO) before 31st March 2010 and subsequently gain accreditation.

Þ     Ofgem will then provide you with a letter confirming  your eligibility, which you can send to an energy supplier that offers FITs to receive FITs payments from them.

Þ     N.B: Your application for RO need only be received by Ofgem by 31st March.  RO accreditation, once successfully completed, is back dated to the date of your application. Therefore even if your RO application is not processed before this date, you registration for RO and eligibility for the transfer FITs will not be affected.

 

before 15th July 2009 (whether the installation is MCS compliant or not)

Þ     You will be eligible for the lower Renewable Obligation (RO) transfer tariff.

Þ     To benefit from this tariff you must have applied to Ofgem to register for the Renewables Obligation (RO) before 31st March 2010 and subsequently gain accreditation.

Þ     N.B: Your application for RO accreditation need only be received by Ofgem by 31st March.  RO accreditation, once successfully completed, is back dated to the date of  your application.  Therefore even if you RO accreditation is not processed before this date, you registration for RO and eligibility for the transfer FITs will not be affected.

 

To apply for the Renewables Obligation (RO)

Þ     You will need to apply for an account submitting your personal details on the Renewables and CHP Register on the Ofgem website (allow 1-2 working days for your account to be set up) https://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk/

Þ     You will then need to log into your account and enter your application providing details of your installation. You should receive a receipt that your application has been received within 1 working day.

If you have any questions relating to the Renewables Obligation, (or wish to request a paper application) please call the Ofgem dedicated Renewables team hotline on 020 7901 7310 or email: renewable@ofgem.gov.uk

 

Transfer from RO to FITs"

Once RO accredited, you will still need to arrange the transfer over to FITs by contacting an energy supplier that offers FITs from the 1st April 2010. The RO scheme closes on 31st March 2010.

Any use?
Iain
 

[northern installer]

I have fitted a ELSTER Import / Export A100C meter on the house.

Solar has a mechanical meter GEC type C11B3A-H

Wind has A mechanical meter GEC type C11B3A-H

The mechanical ones probably wont be type approved.
Do I need type approved meters for solar and wind as well.
Or is the payment the same for both.
And the house import / export meter will do.

Waiting for password from Ofgem

Regards

Alan

  Alan,and everyone,there is a list of approved meters published by the national measurement office;try........www.nmo.bis.gov.uk...a good idea to look on here before buying meters 

[CeeBee]

Latest from my MP (Jim Paice, Con.) on this (email received today 17-Mar-2010):

...However, I agree with you that the Government's current proposals for feed-in tariffs will unfairly penalise the very people who were the early investors in local energy. It is confusing and does not extend to those who installed micro-generation prior to 15 July 2009.
 
Just to confirm to you, our policy is to extend FITs to cover any micro-generation technologies that were installed before the commencement of the Feed-in Tariff in April 2010. Therefore, under a Conservative Government, you would be eligible for the new higher tariffs once they commence.

Which sounds reasonably promising. The last time I wrote to him on this (sometime early in the FITs 'consultation'), I think the reply included "systems which were installed prior to XXX without public support...". Or course I had the (by then small - £2500) grant, but then so have some people who installed after the cut-off date who are due full FITs even under the present proposals. One could (and I do!) argue that the grant was to cover the compulsory insulation measures, planning application, etc. which are no longer compulsory.

[Ivan]

Zero'd Ofgem-approved meters with 10year+ calibration - http://www.navitron.org.uk/product_detail.php?proID=473&catID=127