Install on a caravan park??

[Graeme Harrold]

Just had an enquiry for a 2KW system fitted to a static caravan on a big park. Not sure how to handle this as its part of a larger supply network (caravan park). Basically is this possible and what would be the most appropriate course of action?

 

[Worcester]

There is also potential challenge with the FIT, need to double check ....

It was in the same paragraph as canal boats.. Something to do with an MPAN, can't remember it all

 

[Graeme Harrold]

At least canal boats can go off-grid as they have most of the battery back-up pre installed and still be entitled to claim their 20p per KW, Might have to investigate further with the parks.

 

[topquark]

How does the park billing work Graeme? Do the static pitches have their own DNO supplied meter (that would be unusual in my experience) or does the park have one central DNO meter and bill the static pitches themselves? There are other options with pay as you go type meters etc ... but that's more usual for touring/council homeless type pitches.

If it's the park billing each static van I can see you having a challenge on your hands as to where to install the meter for FIT.

 

[Worcester]

And who gets paid, because it'll be tied to the MPAN, so meaning any others are App2 ... and what it that meter is rated as commercial not domestic ......
Too many questions, not enough time !!

 

[Worcester]

Knew I'd seen it somewhere!

It's to do with the definition of a 'Site'

and it was good old TedM stirring up Ofgem again! (about boats!)

Reply from OFGEM:

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Hi Ted

This is a pretty complicated situation with a large number of different potential scenarios. I don’t think I can provide you with a one-size-fits-all answer. Here are some of my initial thoughts/concerns.

I suppose my first comment would be about whether the electricity is generated in or converted to AC. As I understand it, a lot of PV installations on boats generate in DC and their appliances consume in DC. Any installation which does not generate in AC or where the electrical flows are not converted to AC cannot meet the metering requirements and would be ineligible; there are currently no DC meters approved to the necessary standards.

Secondly, I would question whether the boat could guarantee that it would always be located in Great Britain. Only installations located in GB can receive FITs payments.

Thirdly, I am not sure how we would define the site if the installation could be moved from one location to another. Schedule A of Standard Licence Condition 33 (Electricity_supply_standard_licence_conditions_consolidated_and_coming_into_effe) defines an ‘eligible installation’ as:

“means, on a Site [my emphasis], any plant owned by a FIT Generator capable of producing Small-scale Low-carbon Generation from the same type of Eligible Low-carbon Energy Source, the Total Installed Capacity of which does not exceed the Specified Maximum Capacity”

It also defines ‘site’ as:

“means the premises to which are attached one or more Accredited FIT Installations or Eligible Installations in close geographical proximity to each other, to be determined as required by the Authority by reference to:
(a) the relevant Meter Point Administration Number for electricity supply;
(b) street address;
(c) OS grid reference;
and any other factors which the Authority at its discretion views as relevant”.

I cannot see how a boat that could move from one location to another could meet the ‘site’ definition.

Clearly, the FIT scheme is still in its infancy and we are developing our understanding of how the scheme should operate. In developing any scheme, it is impossible to cover all possible scenarios. I doubt very much that the scenarios you describe were considered as part of the initial development of the scheme. I understand that DECC have today announced an early review of the FIT scheme. If you believe that there is a large potential for these types of installation that need support from FIT payments, you may wish to respond to the FIT consultation to raise your views: First review of Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) - Department of Energy and Climate Change

I trust this aids your enquiry.

Yours sincerely

So it looks like technically you'ld be OK, for FITs. If the caarvan doesn't have its own DNO supplied meter, there will be a commercial angle to manage with the Site owner especially if he has sub-meters, also it means that any additional systems added would affect the total FIT tariff banding (3 x 2 kWp = 4 - 10k band for them all) plus if the site owner has the meter it might scupper his plans..

Then there is planning permission (aha!)

Then there will be the interesting challenge of isolation and protection.