Post January 2016

Somecamel · Sep 21, 2015

I'm sure everyone is crazy busy but has anyone else thought about post January 2015 when the 'proposed' cuts come in.

I've had a lot of customers and suppliers asking the questions so wanted to run a few of my ideas past you guys and for you to let me know your thoughts.

With the Feed in Tariffs so low, it's not even worth offering the Feed in Tariffs with all of the 'frustrating' administration that comes with it so that's gets rid of the annual MCS Fee, the £15 per Certificate, the £400 RECC fee and all the time that can't be quantified making sure you dot your i's and cross your t's.

So it's going to come to energy savings.

I'm thinking of doing away with the 4kW ceiling we've all worked towards and start to push 2kW system with something like an I-Boost for maximum usage.

I can see one of the 'better' feed in tariff suppliers offer a higher export tariff to generators than the current 4.85p.

Not having to use MCS accredited panels would this bypass the anti-dumping levy? What is the minimum import price on panels? I'm thinking panels 50% cheaper can bash out smaller systems for £3k, do the sums and let me know

I know some of you are probably thinking this is the end but I don't believe that.

Would be interested on hearing your thoughts on this.

TedM · Sep 21, 2015

Why would any supplier offer an export tariff to a system not registered for FiTs? Maybe, but only with an export meter, no one is going to pay for 50% deemed.

Gavin A · Sep 21, 2015

my thoughts for domestic revolve around getting it up into the 10kWp + category if at all possible, probably using some form of battery system to absorb the excess, keep within the G83 limit and ensure the maximum self consumption levels.

but I've not worked the figures out yet.

either that or doing it as cut price no frills as it's possible to get, which might well be in the 1-2kWp range to get the highest self consumption as well.

but mainly I think the market's going to be for commercial installations for high daytime energy users, where I know 7-8 year paybacks are going to be possible, and suspect we'll be able to bring costs down towards the 5-6 year payback time again by cutting out all excess costs.

trouble is some of those costs are the likes of EPCs, which have sod all to do with anything other than some red tape requirement.

Worcester · Sep 21, 2015

The challenge with getting high domestic consumption (we know we are a BIG domestic user and have a 17kWp PV system on single phase

) is using it efficiently.

We desperately need a cost effective storage system that allows us to use the energy when we really need it - like 7am and 7pm for cooking, and right now - TV's, Lights (100% LED

) and PC's, good Heat Pump control to use the power when available.

That will then also help sway the economic argument.

whinmoor · Sep 21, 2015

I'm still hopeful for a change in policy following the consultation. I'm sure there will be some improvements to the proposal after the outcry but will it be enough to keep the majority of the industry intact?

I like the idea of 10kWp domestics but they might easily get knocked back by the DNO if you go for G59 so using a capped G83 inverter looks like the only route with storage. It's going to be a difficult sell to householders.

I'm not sure how many houses could realistically get 40 (or even 30) panels on the roof. Very few in my area and even then you might have to install at a less favourable orientation. Domestic ground-mounts are also not that realistic at 10kW.

The new-build domestic market may still be active with cheap bolt-on and high-end integrated being the two avenues to pursue.

The commercial sector is certainly still viable for clients with high in-house consumption although G59 is always lurking in the background. Tricky roofs such as asbestos and partially shaded may no longer add up.

Worcester · Sep 22, 2015

Guess it depends upon location and client base, we've got 3 x 10kW domestic systems on the go at the moment...

There is a good economic argument for large scale users for >150kW it all still adds up for them even with 0 FiT

Whatever the outcome, EVERYONE should be building a model that will work for their chosen market place at 0 FiT, inevitably it is only a short time away and will come sooner rather than later.