Will ROCS be obsoleted by FITs?

[splyn]

Is it intended that ROCs for new installations will be obsoleted by FITs? If so does this mean that for planned/existing system which don't meet the ridiculous  MCS accreditation requirements that the only option will be the 9p/kwhr  (+3p for exports?) FIT rate?

I read in one of Ivan's posts here that Good Energy were offering 15p exported or not and npower were offering 9p + 15p for exports. Are these likely to continue? Presumably they can offer these rates based on the double ROCs (for PV)  worth around 9p currently and the LECs  (approx .345p?).

I can't see much need for ROCs for new installations - no commercial PV installations will be non-compliant for FITs as they simply wouldn't be viable and I doubt that many new domestic installations will either.

If ROCs are discontinued altogether, would this mean that anybody currently receiving 24p from npower for example, be switched to the 9p + 3p FIT rate?

I ask as I wonder what the options are for those considering DIY installations of cheap non accredited or second hand (not cheap yet but presumably will be) systems?

[splyn]

Sorry about my first post - it was accidentally submitted before I was finished. I've now edited it to so hopefully it makes sense now.

[Ted]

From 1st April FITs will replace ROCs for all new MCS compliant systems upto 50kW.

The 9p rate is only for systems installed before 15th July 2009 that are registered for ROCs before 1st April 2010.

All other systems get nothing - unless any suppliers, such as Good Energy, want to pay for them which remains to be seen. But it is difficult to see how they could afford to pay a sensible rate without any ROC equivalent income.

There remains a 'grey area' for non-MCS compliant systems that were installed between 15th July 2009 and 1st April 2010 as to which category they fall into.

Above 50kW system owners can elect to enter ROCs or FITs.

[MEDWARD]

My system was installed by an accredited MCS installer at the end of June 09.  I have been told:--

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.

What would happen if I didn't do anything until after April 2010, would I miss out completely?

[Richard Owen]

The forms are not that onerous to fill in.

Why not just register anyway?

You can always withdraw your application later if you want.

[Moxi]

Medward,

Richard is right it only takes about 45 minutes to complete the form including time to route out information from your installers pack etc.

Once this is done and submitted you are in the system and will be eligable for FIT's in due course.

moxi

[MEDWARD]

When setting up ACCOUNT  do am I a Generator, Supplier or participant?

[Outtasight]

Generator.  I asked the same question but followed Justme's lead in the "filling in the form" thread.  Seemed to work and their web system accepted the application.

[Justme]

I asked the same question but followed Justme's lead in the "filling in the form" thread. 

I would just like to remind every one that taking the advice from a RBOTI (thats Random Bloke Off The Internet) is at your own risk. 

[MEDWARD]

Are feed-in-tarriffs calculated and rewarded anually?

[Ted]

Should be quarterly as a minimum.

[Richard Owen]

I filled in a question on the form about being paid monthly or annually.

Can't remember exactly what is was now.

No mention of quarterly anywhere.

[Moxi]

Richard,

 you can review your answers anytime on the ofgem page just log in and click on the tab for submitted accreditation forms.

Justme and Medward - we are generators (well we are when its sunny  )

Moxi