Preliminary accreditation for roofit queries

[Gavin A]

Hi,

Just wanted to confirm my reading to the preliminary accreditation info for Roofit.

it looks like this now applies to any systems that qualify for roofit, so above 50kW inverter capacity up to 5MWp, and the only requirement is that all the DNO approval is in place and paid for, then the system is then eligible for the existing tariff for a period of 6 months from the date of preliminary accreditation being received.

Has to be set up on the OFgem site and registered before any tariff change date.

Has anyone used this, are there any other issues we should be aware of? ANy other evidence they're going to need?

I've got a presentation tomorrow for a potential multisite contract that I'm hoping to propose we use this to do preliminary accreditation across all the sites so we lock in the finances for 6 months to give us chance to actually get it all installed, and also have a couple of others for this month we're having DNO delays with, so want to use this to reassure the customers as I can't install a 250kWp and a 100kWp project in the same week before the deadline once the DNO sort their act out.

Be grateful for any input from anyone who's used the process to confirm my reading of it. Thanks

 

[TedM]

I'm not sure how many PA applications have been made. Given the documentary evidence that has to be in place before you can apply it is only in a situation where the system owner has everything other than the cash to pay for the development that it is useful.

You have to have planning approval documented as well before applying. If you have paid the DNO for a connection agreement make sure you have a receipt. All the docs need to be dated prior to your application for PA.

The TIC actually installed cannot be higher than the figure you give in the PA application at all but can be lower as long as it doesn't cross a tariff range. Any system size stated in the planning approval should match up with the size you are applying for.

Don't miss that the tariff date gets set to April 1st for any PA application made between 1st January and 31st March.

Make sure the system owner has a ROOFIT account set up well in advance of wanting to apply and don't forget to convert the PA to a full application once the system is built and make sure that the owner's Super User account signs off on all parts.


https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmen...ariff-fit-scheme/applying-feed-tariff/roo-fit
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publicatio...ry-accreditation-under-feed-tariff-fit-scheme

 

[Gavin A]

bugger.

I thought this would be covered by the change in permitted development rights up to 1MW for roof mounted systems, but all is not quite what it seems with this, as the legislation actually states that council approval is still required, so basically we at least need a certificate of lawful development for it.

Worse than that, it looks like the LA needs to actually put up notices 21 days in advance of any permission being granted, though I'm unclear if this always applies, or if they're able to simply issues a determination that it meets the permitted development requirements.

looks to be a terribly drafted bit of legislation, which started off as full permitted development then some twunt added all the bits in afterwards to make it so that it essentially still needs planning permission.

A case of when permitted development rights aren't exactly what one would normally expect permitted development rights to be.

Hopefully the local planning officers will either not realise about this, or will simply decide that it meets the requirements and they have no issue with it and just issue the cert.

(2) Class J(c) development is permitted subject to the condition that before beginning the development the developer must apply to the local planning authority for a determination as to whether the prior approval of the authority will be required as to the design or external appearance of the development, in particular the impact of glare on occupiers of neighbouring land, and the following sub-paragraphs apply in relation to that application.

(3) The application must be accompanied by—

(a)a written description of the proposed development;

(b)a plan indicating the site and showing the proposed development;

(c)the developer’s contact address; and

(d)the developer’s email address if the developer is content to receive communications electronically;

together with any fee required to be paid.

(4) The local planning authority may refuse an application where, in the opinion of the authority—

(a)the proposed development does not comply with, or

(b)the developer has provided insufficient information to enable the authority to establish whether the proposed development complies with,

any conditions, limitations or restrictions specified in Class J applicable to the development in question.

(5) Sub-paragraphs (6) and (8) do not apply where a local planning authority refuses an application under sub-paragraph (4) and for the purposes of section 78 (appeals) of the Act such a refusal is to be treated as a refusal of an application for approval.

(6) The local planning authority must give notice of the proposed development—

(a)by site display in at least one place on or near the land to which the application relates for not less than 21 days of a notice which—

(i)describes the proposed development;

(ii)provides the address of the proposed development;

(iii)specifies the date by which representations are to be received by the local planning authority; or

(b)by serving a notice in that form on any adjoining owner or occupier.

(7) The local planning authority may require the developer to submit such information as the authority may reasonably require in order to determine the application.

(8) The local planning authority must, when determining an application—

(a)take into account any representations made to them as a result of any notice given under sub-paragraph (6); and

(b)have regard to the National Planning Policy Framework issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government in March 2012(60), so far as relevant to the subject matter of the prior approval, as if the application were a planning application.

(9) The development must not begin before the occurrence of one of the following—

(a)the receipt by the applicant from the local planning authority of a written notice of their determination that such prior approval is not required;

(b)the receipt by the applicant from the local planning authority of a written notice giving their prior approval; or

(c)the expiry of 56 days following the date on which the application under sub-paragraph (3) was received by the local planning authority without the authority notifying the applicant as to whether prior approval is given or refused.

(10) The development must be carried out—

(a)where prior approval is required, in accordance with the details approved by the local planning authority;

(b)where prior approval is not required, or where sub-paragraph (9)(c) applies, in accordance with the details provided in the application referred to in sub-paragraph (3),

unless the local planning authority and the developer agree otherwise in writing.

(11) The local planning authority may grant prior approval unconditionally or subject to conditions reasonably related to the subject matter of the prior approval.

 

[Gavin A]

grrrrrrrr council told me they'd confirm permitted development on a 10 day turnaround, now told me that shouldn't have been said and it's 8 week turnaround, so prelim accreditation is now out the window.

plan b is use the fact it's 3 buildings, 3 postal addresses to do multiple installs under the 50kW PD for each building, but all will be combined for FIT purposes.

so how much can we now install between now and next tuesday evening on top of our other work? Targeting 130kWp half on metal roof half on fragile fibreboard (maybe asbestos so have to take asbestos precautions).... rather than having a nice straightforward 2 weeks at it starting next week.

What the hell is the point in putting in permitted development legislation that still leaves it taking 8 weeks to get permission?

Going to challenge that decision, but not until after the fit cut.

Game on, again.

 

[Gavin A]

Game off.

One of these days I'm actually going to implode at one of these types of ridiculous catch 22 type situations.

Oh yes we're going to help commercial roof mounted industry, we've got this preliminary accreditation route you can take to guarantee the tariffs, but you have to have the G59 and planning permissions in place first... oh but that takes forever, so we'll make it permitted development to help ease that issue, but for permitted development we're going to make you follow a process with the council to confirm it all that takes 8 weeks.... but that's the same as for planning permission.... well maybe, but at least you save a little bit of money.... but that wasn't the problem this was meant to be solving.... ah yes I see your point, but you'll need to discuss that with the government who drafted the legislation, until there's a precedent set by the courts we're going to do it this way.... but but but but but arrrrgh. [explodes]

 

[Gavin A]

good job there's no pressing need for us to transition to a low carbon economy isn't it.

 

[SibertSolar]

8wks?! Why?

 

[Gavin A]

8wks?! Why?

because that's the maximum allowed time in the legislation before you're alllowed to assume the system is permitted development if you've not heard back from the council, and get on with it anyway.

After our customer kicked right off with them, and the council's legal person was on hand today they seem to have caved in and accepted this isn't sensible and not what was intended, and also going to create a lot of extra admin for them (I pointed out how much of this stuff was intended to be getting installed, which gave them pause to think about the extra workload).... so fingers cross I shall be getting a permitted development notification enquiry determination emailed to me tomorrow.

Now there's just the thorny issue of whether ofgem will accept this or not as they do specify an actual certificate of lawful development, but also their guidance hasn't been updated since the new regulations were put in place.

Aaaaand then northern power grid have apparently still not processed the signed agreement we returned to them on 16th June, it's not even left the admin office to go to the engineer to be signed, and we need that back as well before Tuesday.

Not nervous at all about the prospect of having a £200k project going down to the wire like this, but at least it's looking better than first thing this morning when the customer had thrown their rattle from the pram and was demanding their deposit back.

 

[SibertSolar]

Glad you've main progress Gav, sounds like a proper headache though!

 

[The Solar King]

Interestingly commercial PD is just out to consultation in Scotland. It is proposed there will be no prior notification and no upper level on system size. It will also cover vertical walls to 200mm.

 

[Gavin A]

got it submitted today, wow, what a massive headache that was. I think we probably needed to add about £1000 for the extra staffing costs in all that admin and stress.

 

[Gavin A]

I flipped a bit at the OFgem team leader on the advice line when they refused to advise whether or not the requirement for the connection agreement to be signed meant by both us and the DNO, or just our signature plus a receipt for the payment. Said they couldn't advise on a general basis as all agreements were different, but also refused to look at the specific agreement and offer advice in less than 3 weeks.

Northern PowerGrid's admin team sorted us out in the end though, so kudos for that.