Epc help

[snoopdog]

Hi does any one know after April what the situation is for a farmer who wants to put PV on his roof of a dairy.

Will he need an epc ????????

 

[TedM]

Depends where the power goes. If it goes to the farmhouse then that will need an EPC 'D'. I interpret this as meaning that they would both be on the same phase and meter.

If it is only used in the dairy (separate phase/meter) then he will probably be OK unless the dairy has heating or air conditioning in which case it would need an EPC 'D' for itself.

If he needs an EPC 'D' and doesn't or can't get one then the tariff will be 9p.

OFGEM are supposed to be issuing guidance on this - but it is getting too late.

 

[Glen Powell]

This is a subject that is under debate on other mediums at the moment, there are at present flaws in the EPC that need to be sorted out.

Here is how I see it, if you need lighting in a cow shed then I would recommend a second meter as this is business related, if you require no heating in said cow shed and lighting is for a limited time then EPC should be fine. Under European directive the chicken shed, cow shed, etc. do not come under EPC ruling however I have heard a rumor the DECC is trying to change that.

The fact is this, if you have a separate meter in an agricultural building where it is impossible to carry out an EPC rating then that building AND supply is exempt, however as said before if the supply of the array is going directly to a domestic dwelling then the EPC is based on the dwelling it feeds.

Please remember though that the EPC can, as far as I am aware, be finalised after the solar photovoltaic array has been installed. Do not get excited this does not raise your EPC as much as you would think.

My perfect example is if you have a commercial log store which requires no heating and a single light bulb which will be used very rarely, how could you ascertain an EPC on that, considering EPC normally only cover "buildings Habitual By Humans"

I would also like to think there is issues with leasing of airspace over rooftops that could be brought into question,, but probably not at this moment.

My opinion if you are close to a transformer stick another meter in for your (possible) commercial activities, if need be lease the roof from the commercial aspect of your business.

 

[MCS Renewables]

You may need the commercial EPC

 

[TedM]

Under European directive the chicken shed, cow shed, etc. do not come under EPC ruling however I have heard a rumor the DECC is trying to change that.

DECC have already changed the rules on this. Their EPC requirements for which buildings need an EPC for full FiTs are wider than the requirements for EPCs in general. There are a few earlier threads here that cover this.

 

[Gavin A]

rule of thumb -

1 - If the building is heated then it needs an EPC.

2 - If the electricity meter that the installation will be connected to also supplies power on the same phase to a building that is heated then that building needs an EPC (so this includes ground mounted systems connected to an existing meter point).

3 - If it doesn't meet points 1-2 then it may well need a signed statement from an EPC assessor to verify this.

4 - The existing rules on what buildings actually are required by law to have an EPC DO NOT apply for FIT purposes, so churches etc are not automatically exempt.

5 - If you don't supply an EPC D with your FIT application at the time it is submitted, or an acceptable level of evidence that it can't have an EPC produced, then the installation will automatically be assigned to the lower FIT rate of 9p / kWH and there doesn't seem to be much scope for appeal, so make sure your customers are made aware of this by you in writing to cover yourself against them messing this up.

 

[TedM]

1 - If the building is heated or cooled using a form of energy then it needs an EPC.

I'm assuming that any form of passive solar for heating or cooling would be excluded. But we are still awaiting guidelines on the precise details.