Half a twin tracker

[The Solar King]

Have posted here as this could involve bending the rules. I am working with someone who is undertaking a new build. The proposal for PV involves 1.8kW on a south facing roof (6 x LG300) and 2.0kW (4 x Viridian 500) on a west facing roof of two linked buildings. Something like a 3kW Power-One would be ideal. Here's the rub.

The south facing building which is a big garage with office over is going to be build first, later this year, followed by the main building next. The client would like to get the PV up and running on the first building as soon as complete. Has anyone run a twin tracker on one side only?

Here is the tricky bit. The whole system will not be complete, but it would be easy to register it as such. The customer could then apply for his FIT payments but only receive a reduced amount until the building is complete. By the time the main building is finished, the FIT rate will have dropped by at least the amount of the annual reduction in March 2015, or more if installation levels pick up. Re-registering a larger system would mean the whole thing received a lower payment. We could prop the additional panels up in the garden and plug 'em in.

The amounts of money are relatively small and the returns on his investment are excellent as labour costs are substitutional not incremental in the build.

What do you think?

 

[Worcester]

I recently visited a client to discuss a ASHP project and saw a set of panels definitely mounted on a roof structure. (That's all it was trussed with rails and panels attached - no tiles!)

The roof stucture (trusses) just happened to mounted on the ground (on railway sleepers) as the brickwork walls hadn't yet grown under them as planning permission for the new build (to replace the existing bungalow) hadn't yet been granted. - Installed November 2011

So - he has his panels on the roof structure, now they just need to be removed temporarily for remedial work to it.

I hasten to note this was not one of ours! - Spirit of the regs met if not the letter.

 

[whinmoor]

The EDF application form says:

"You must not sign this form and send it until you have had the equipment installed and commissioned. For example, if you are installing solar PV, the panels must already be in their final, permanent position, have been connected to the electricity supply by an MCS or equivalent registered installer and the meter must be fitted and operational. Audit checks are in place to monitor for scheme misuse and you may be prosecuted if fraudulent activity is found to have taken place."

So if you put panels temporarily in the garden and switch them on, this declaration is not being followed. But, the customer is signing it....

 

[TedM]

All FiT suppliers use this form of words in their contracts now following updated guidance from OFGEM earlier this year.

There is no basis for this requirement in the FiTs legislation and it is just another example of OFGEM making things up as they go along.