MCS requirements For off grid PV

[jules27]

Hi there ,
Just a quick one can anyone point in the direction of what is required under to MCS to get FITs for off grid installs ?

Also Are there any places that can be recomeded for reasonably priced dc isolators (wanted a 40-60a one )

Thanks

 

[TedM]

The main requirement that causes problems is the need to fit an accredited total generation meter - as only 230V ac are available, and this needs to only meter the output from the PV. So if there is some other method of charging the batteries, apart from PV panels such as a back-up diesel generator, then this will be an issue that needs to be resolved in the design of the system. i.e.

pv--	inverter--	meter--	battery charger/controller--	batteries--	load
			|
			generator

And here you obviously cannot use a grid-tie inverter.

All the other relevant DTI Guide and BS7671 standards will still apply.

The owner is required to sign a declaration every year to confirm that the power produced is actually used and not just dumped.

 

[Worcester]

@TedM

Now, if this system would be connected to a dwelling house, as opposed to sitting in a field connected to a transformer up a pole, if it was say 3.6kWp, for FiTs is it classed as <4kWp (even though no MPAN bering in mind the wording in the secription of 'site') or would it be 'stand-alone'.

As I understood it stand-alone, meant a system desgined purely for the puposes of generating electricity as opposed to something designed for loacl consumption, hence the 'connection to an occupied building'

 

[jules27]

Thanks for the replies , sorry been really busy, I was thinking of a dwelling with panels ,but does n't seem much point at that rate ! still I'm intersted in now its done , as per BS7671.... but I dont know about the DTI guide ?

 

[TedM]

An off-grid system feeding a dwelling get the full rate. Stand-alone applies when there is no dwelling.

MPAN is just one of the several criteria for determining whether you have just one or multiple 'sites'. Lack of an MPAN doesn't mean you must be stand-alone.