Customer wants to source panels.

[Energetic]

Hi Guys,

We have a potential customer who can get panels for £50 each from a company who 'clears solar farms'...

Don't ask, i don't know the details but it's allegedly legit and he wants a price for installation.

It's not something we've considered before, has anyone else been asked to do this?

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[TedM]

Would this customer be asking you to provide an MCS certificate for these installations?

If the second-hand panels are being sourced from the UK then they are not eligible for FiTs. I would suggest you get a copy of documentary evidence to show these panels were all purchased from overseas before issuing a cert - just to cover yourself.

Obviously they would need to be on the MCS approved list as well.

And assuming this customer is putting them on their own site. If any third-parties are involved I would steer well clear.

 

[Energetic]

Thanks Ted,

Is there an Ofgem definition of second hand? As i understand it they are new and have never been installed, they are either excess or from farms that never happened. They are however pre-owned

 

[TedM]

Renewable installations using “generating equipment” that has previously received support under the Renewables Obligation (RO) or Feed-in Tariff (FIT) schemes are not entitled to receive support through the FIT scheme.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2013/02/generating-equipment-decision_0.pdf

If they are 'excess' or 'never installed' then they should be OK but how would you prove it if challenged by an audit?

 

[Energetic]

Yes fair point. Thanks.

 

[whinmoor]

This solar farm got "cleared out" recently:

Thieves nab 192 solar panels from field, worth £29,000 - Farmers Weekly