Advice to Installation Companies : Preparing for the change in Feed-in Tariffs (FITs)

The Government is proposing to reduce the Feed-In Tariff rates for new solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. If the proposals go through, then the latest that new customers can apply to a FIT Licensee for Feed-in Tariffs at the current rate is 23:59 on 11th December 2011.

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is committed to supporting installers to prepare for this change. We will be operating extended MCS Helpdesk hours to help deal with the increased number of enquiries during the run up to the deadline:

• Monday to Friday: 9am-5pm
• Saturday 10th December and Sunday 11th December: 9am-5pm

We are also reviewing some technical aspects of the MCS Installation Database, to reduce the chance of it slowing down during peak demand period.

In addition, the REAL Assurance Scheme are also making staff available to answer queries that weekend. Their contact details are set out at the end of this letter.

We have listed below a number of hints and tips to help you over the next couple of weeks

Compliance

REAL Assurance wrote to all their members recently reminding them of their obligations around Code compliance. The text of that letter is available here: http://www.realassurance.org.uk/fitchanges. It is essential for the integrity of the scheme and the reputation of all installation companies that compliance with both the REAL Code and the MCS Standards is maintained during this challenging period. An installation that breaches the Code or the Standards will get picked up through the audit process, and may result in your company losing its MCS certificate and/or REAL membership, and your customer losing their FITS – as well as leaving either open to fraud charges.

If you are unclear on any aspect of the Code, contact REAL Assurance. If you are unclear on what the MCS Standards require, speak to your MCS Certification Body.

Hints & Tips

• Be realistic when talking to customers about what you can and can’t achieve within the time available.
• Advise your customers to check the FIT application process by contacting their chosen FIT licensee as early as possible.
  • This is especially important if they’re considering applying to a FIT Licensee other than their current electricity supplier.
  • Some Licensees have very particular requirements of the generator to prove ownership, and this is something the customer should be looking out for in advance so that they can have the paperwork in order.
• Generate your MCS certificate as soon as possible after the commissioning date.
• Note that regardless of the circumstances, once an installation is properly commissioned according to the MCS standards, it is not permitted under the Scheme or the Code to withhold the MCS certificate from the customer, regardless of whether they owe you money.
• Generating your MCS certificate :
  • Purchase credits well in advance. Note our payment partner, Paypal, can and may delay release of funds for security reasons. This is beyond the control of MCS.
  • If you generate a certificate that contains an error, simply go to the ‘Administration’ section of the database and select the relevant job by clicking on its MCS certificate number. You can edit most aspects of the certificate, and you will then receive an email with a replacement certificate attached. This process only takes a couple of minutes and uses no additional credits.
  • If you need to re-send an MCS certificate you can do so by completing the same process above without editing anything, i.e. click through the form and then ‘Finish’ at the end. In the event of email delivery problems it is also possible to alter the nominated email recipient i.e. just change the ‘Recipient Email Address’ to another email address where you would like the MCS certificate to be sent.
  • In a small number of cases the MPAN shown on the certificate may be missing or incorrect. However, an MCS certificate is still valid without the MPAN number. If time permits then you can contact the relevant Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to update the MPAN details. Alternatively, the customer can provide the correct MPAN separately. We’ve written to the FIT Licensees to remind them of this.

Useful Contacts