Invoice for Solar panels before 12th December

[richlatham]

Hi

Installations of solar panels after 12th December attract a FIT of 21p as compared to the 43p before.

I've somewhat missed the boat, but an installer has told me that he can do all the paperwork to ensure I get the 43p rate, but install next week - ie after the cut-off date.

I thought the installation had to be completed before 12th December.

Any advice appreciated.

:confused5:

 

[VMan]

Its illegal and you can be convicted of fraud if you are found out to claim the FIT's with false information. up to you..but you have been warned.

 

[BruceB]

Broadcasting such arrangements on a public forum if there is the slightest chance you can be identified is unwise.

The criterion is that an installation has to be accredited before the 12th.
In order to be accredited it must first be commissioned.
In order to be commissioned it must first exist.

 

[Earthstore]

He would be breaking the law, it's fraud.
Your installation has to be installed, commissioned, and your FIT forms have to be with an energy supplier (filled in correctly) by the 12th.
All is not lost though, the price of systems has come down, and even if, and only if, as it is somewhat up in the air at the moment, the tariff is set at 21p, some of us can still offer you a ROI between 8-10%
Hope this helps.

 

[richlatham]

Ok... Thanks for the advice.

I wasn't sure what the exact rules were so asking the question on a public forum is a good plan because I expected I'd get some knowledgable replies - and I did, even though they weren't quite what I would have liked to hear!

Like I said, I missed the boat....

 

[jamescdrw]

lol could you install in the garden on the floor / grass commission it then go back and do your non conform ?

 

[Earthstore]

No, non compliment.

 

[TMGL]

Can't See a problem with 'ground commissioning' as long as you've got a gen meter and inverter. No rule saying you can't move it from garden to roof later is there?

 

[solarsavings]

There may be a few moved from the roof to the ground this week.

 

[Earthstore]

So how would you mount them? Would you get planning?, Would it conform to MSC ? Would it conform to REAL? What if you do this and it backfires and the customer does not get the tariff you promised?
I am sure somebody will risk it, why? Because they have no intention of trading in the next 12 months.
Good practice, anybody working in this industry should always use Good practice.

 

[finchy]

Any installations after the 12 will be suspicious as per the REAL guidance we can not sell Solar PV until a definite rate has been set (miss selling). So basically all installations ones see's after this date is illegal, until the Government makes their mind up. I completed our last install yesterday and spoke to a very helpful lady at EON, she said they have been receiving 1000 FIT applications a day !

I think when the governments bean counters have done the sums, they might revise down the FIT rate, in a state of shock ! I hope not but, if their justification was based projections (albeit very dodgy maths) I don't think they expected this amount of installs in 6 weeks !!

 

[SRE]

We have a local firm who are continuing installations after 12/12. I don't think they understand the whole consultation situation.
Imagine a system generating 3000kwh/pa.

3000 x 0.21 = £630
3000 x 0.18 = £540
3000 x 0.16 = £480

If the government decide that the 46k installations in November is too high and they drop the fit to 18p anyone installing would potentially be liable for the £90 difference a year for 25 years.

I think we're stuffed until Feb :mad2:

 

[SolarCity]

The more I've read about this, the more I think you're right.

As you understand it, if installs are carried out after the December 12th they may well be subject to a rate LESS than 21p? I have a meeting on Monday with a customer that wishes to proceed. I have no idea what to tell him.

 

[finchy]

You need to have some sort of waiver that he signs to say they understand the FIT rate has not been set and you have explained the consultation process....Just tell him to wait the prices have already dropped since monday (including the holy Sanyo's) ! Re book in the new year !

CYA (cover your ar5e) - As one would say !

 

[SRE]

As ever it will boil down to your moral approach to customers. I can't sell to someone not knowing what rate of fit they will get and think that it is ok because I've got them to sign a waiver but others will do that and consider it's ok. I think it will be difficult to prove that a waiver is justified if the rate comes down but some will take the risk.

We're planning to do surveys up to the end of Jan, take orders for the day that the result of the consultation is announced but we're not taking any deposits and our customers will be free to cancel if the government does the dirty again. For us it's the only honest way to deal with our customers.