EPC and FIT for new build projects?

[Gavin A]

Has anyone worked out how the new EPC requirements are supposed to work for new build developments?

As I understand it the EPC has to be produced before the MCS cert and can't show PV on it to be eligible for FIT, but on a new build house the only EPC that is accepted is a final EPC for the building that necessarily can't be produced until after the PV has been installed and commissioned and certified.

There is no option of having an EPC done before the PV, as the only EPC assessment that can be lodged is by the assessor who did the from plan EPC, which has to be done once the house is complete.

SO there seems to be a serious disconnect here unless there's some sort of opt out / workaround for new build.

ANy thoughts?

 

[Gavin A]

The plot thickens, as I can't find any reference to this EPC change in the new FIT order, though DECC clearly say that they intend to make the change in the consultation response.

So unless I'm missing something in the legislation, it'd seem that DECC either changed their mind / realised about this sort of issue / cocked it right up and didn't actually implement that change.

Could anyone else please review the legislation to see if they can find any reference to this?

 

[solarfred]

I had this question from a customer too and ended up with a communication from EPC Choice who said they could sort it out. ... but in the meantime the architect on site (Wales) had found someone to do it so I never got involved again. Do you want my customers contact details as he is OK. Or EPC Choice. PM me if you want names.

 

[Gavin A]

I had this question from a customer too and ended up with a communication from EPC Choice who said they could sort it out. ... but in the meantime the architect on site (Wales) had found someone to do it so I never got involved again. Do you want my customers contact details as he is OK. Or EPC Choice. PM me if you want names.

are you referring to the new or old regime?

 

[solarfred]

Sorry Gavin old "current" I didn't read your post fully just a fleeting visit!

 

[Gavin A]

no worries, I had a feeling that was the case.

Am on a mission to very rapidly get my head around all the intricacies of the new system to see where the key markets are and where the major pitfalls are that need to be avoided. This is a glaring pitfall that I'd like to avoid as it could end up costing a hell of a lot of money if we advised a housebuilder wrongly on it.

 

[TedM]

The nitty-gritty detail of the EPC regs are in the Standard Conditions document not the SI legislation. I haven't seen a new version of this yet.

The previous Standard Conditions state:

5. Where the Energy Efficiency Requirement applies in relation to a relevant installation, it is satisfied if an appropriate EPC for a relevant building to which the installation is wired as mentioned in paragraph 4 certifies that the building has a qualifying asset rating.

6. For the purposes of paragraph 5-
6.1 an appropriate EPC, in relation to a relevant building to which a relevant installation is wired as mentioned in paragraph 4, is an energy performance certificate for that building which –
(a) was issued on or before, but not more than 10 years before, the Eligibility Date of the installation; and
(b) was, on the Eligibility Date of the installation, the most recently issued energy performance certificate for that building; and
6.2 a qualifying asset rating is-
(a) for a dwelling, an energy efficiency rating of band D or better;
(b) for a building which is not a dwelling-
(i) an asset rating of band D or better, unless sub-paragraph (ii) applies; or
(ii) an asset rating of band G or better , if the relevant installation is a community energy installation or school installation and, in the case of an installation with a declared net capacity of 50kW or less, has been pre-registered in accordance with the FIT Order.

(Sorry, been out of the loop recently due to FIL death)

 

[Worcester]

But under the new rules are they now changing the eligibility date?

I remember something about it being the date and time of the the MCS certificate as opposed to when the FiT is applied for, something to do with the quotas?

 

[TedM]

The position in the queue for a cap quota is based on the MCS cert issue date/time. The Eligibility Date is not changed (basically the date the application is received) unless the current quarter cap quota is already full when it will be 'bumped' to the start of the next quarter (or the one after, if that quarter is also already full).

I haven't been keeping an eye on this lately but have MCS issued any new guidance on how to produce valid quotes yet?

 

[Gavin A]

Surely they have to publish the EPC changes in advance of them being implemented don't they?

This is a massive change that has huge impacts on how every sale has to be done, if they haven't published this yet then they surely can't implement it can they?

 

[TedM]

The latest version is here https://epr.ofgem.gov.uk//Content/D...Conditions Consolidated - Current Version.pdf

dated 1st October 2015, so not updated yet. FiT starts on p311.

I expect they are treating 8th February as the next change date.

 

[Worcester]

Just picked up new build this morning where they can't get their signed off EPC for building regs until the PV is in. The energy assessor that referred thnm to us though says that as they are occupying the building, and it has heating etc he can issue an EPC (it easily gets a B without PV) and then issue another one after the PV is installed for Building Regs. So it seems some know a way around it...