Important Steps to Qualify for Solar Panels FiTS

The Feed-in Tariff Scheme is a powerful incentive to opt for solar panels on your roof. The benefits of deriving part of your energy from a solar PV installation are many. They include savings on your energy bill and income from two different tariffs when you generate your own electricity. Expert estimates on the amount of income and savings you can expect when you install solar panels range from £100 pa in energy savings to £570 pa in combined generation and export tariffs – and those are median figures. Many installations will actually generate considerably more in both electricity and income.

There are, however, several important things to do if you intend to participate in the FiTS. Failing to meet any of these requirements can reduce the amount of the tariff for which you qualify or eliminate you from the program entirely.

EPC Rating

As of 1 April 2012, only homes with an EPC rating of D or better will qualify for the full tariff, though some homes with a lower rating may qualify for a lower rate. If you already have an EPC D rating, you’re all set. If you have a lower EPC rating, your solar panels can count toward increasing your score, but you must have the EPC survey done after your panels are installed.

Hint: Have an EPC survey done before you order solar panels to find out what you can do to increase your chances for acceptance. It may be as simple as changing out your light bulbs for energy efficient ones or putting in weather stripping and cavity insulation.

MCS Certification

In order to qualify for the FiTS, your solar panels must be installed by an installer who is certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. Before contracting with a company to install your solar PV system, check its status with the MCS to ensure that your system will qualify for the FiTS.

FiTS Electricity Supplier

FiTS payments are actually made by your electricity supplier, and your supplier must participate in the FiTS in order for you to be part of the scheme. The “big six” energy suppliers are required to offer FiTS payments by law, but some smaller suppliers may not participate. Check to make sure that your energy supplier participates in the scheme. If not, shop around for a supplier that does.

Solar panels are a good idea in and of themselves. They supply clean, silent, green electricity to power all of your household appliances and systems. The government encourages the adoption of solar PV with the Feed-in Tariff Scheme, however, and it’s silly to miss out on the advantage because you missed out on some paperwork.