Andehh Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 We are refurbing & extending a bungalow, the previous owners install 21 x PV panels back in 2012 ish when the feed in tariff was at its highest. Everything still works fine, and on the best bet day we can hit approx 3kWh. Mixture of low roof angle, some shade & I'm guessing 10 year old panels mean we will never hit the full 4kWh which I believe ours are paper spec's as. As part of the reroofing, I am debating replacing them all with a lower quantity of newer panels in the hope of achieving some extra output! Has anyone ever gone down this route before? Is it fairly straightforward to replace old with new? Is there a risk this could impact our very good FIT? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted August 29, 2021 Share Posted August 29, 2021 (edited) 18 minutes ago, Andehh said: Everything still works fine, and on the best bet day we can hit approx 3kWh. Mixture of low roof angle, some shade & I'm guessing 10 year old panels mean we will never hit the full 4kWh which I believe ours are paper spec's as. Think you mean 3 and 4 kW (installed capacity). kWh is energy, kW is power. Power times time is energy. 18 minutes ago, Andehh said: am debating replacing them all with a lower quantity of newer panels in the hope of achieving some extra output! It may affect the FiT payment, but you can replace them. Give MCS a call and ask. Then let us all know. Have you thought of going roof integrated PV. Probably similar price to reproofing, and looks better. You could fit more modules and have a separate circuit dedicated to DHW heating. That is the cheapest energy storage there is. Alternatively, or as well as, battery storage to reduce imports. Really comes down to how much you want to spend overall. Edited August 29, 2021 by SteamyTea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andehh Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 Thanks will do, MCS wasn't fussed, but wasn't sure who might be. For £2k a year, we want to be sure. I have emailed British Gas to ask them (our FiT provider), and will report back when I know more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 25 minutes ago, Andehh said: report back when I know more Good on you, we like definitive answers on here. There is still some confusion about I stalled capacity and limited capacity AFAIK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferdinand Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 Interesting. I thought you could be moved onto the current system. Moving my panels is one thing I have in my plan for them, and the strings are .done to facilitate that. I think you need to make sure it is like-for-like. ie No noticeable increase in power generation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andehh Posted September 12, 2021 Author Share Posted September 12, 2021 (edited) The challenge we have is the capacity is 3.99kwh limit (I think) but the panels are from 2011. Our plans involve a mono pitch roof, which would have the solar panels angled away from the south facing they currently enjoy. Desire is to replace the panels with new ones, and do so such that we can 'over compensate' with quantity/quality, to cancel out the loss from the negative angle. Edited September 12, 2021 by Andehh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted September 12, 2021 Share Posted September 12, 2021 7 minutes ago, Andehh said: Desire is to replace the panels with new ones, and do so such that we can 'over compensate' with quantity/quality, to cancel out the loss from the negative angle. I got a £270 speeding fine for overcompensating the times I have been stuck in traffic. It don't work like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andehh Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 ...its works if you don't get caught! I might just have to wait to hear back from British Gas, but it depends on what they use to authorise the system surely? Do they limit you on Sheer size of system or maximum power output allowed? Could you elaborate please SteamTea? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 The FiT registration states the equipment installed, so apart from a like for like repair that doesn’t alter the potential output you aren’t to change components. Unless you want the fit payment stopped and at 55p a unit generated that would be daft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 21 minutes ago, TonyT said: The FiT registration states the equipment installed, so apart from a like for like repair that doesn’t alter the potential output you aren’t to change components. That is my understanding, but it is over a decade since I was involved in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andehh Posted September 13, 2021 Author Share Posted September 13, 2021 (edited) Thanks very much guys, that makes sense! I remember seeing the serial numbers on the paperwork now that you mention it. I'll just have to accept a lift & refit, annoying as the new roof orientation will put them slightly off pitch. Edit to add: For others in a similar situation, the below will 'help', but I may need too still reach out to them. Removal & refit for roof change, but maintaining existing equipment I hope to maintains our eligibility. It isn't definitively clear in my mind though? https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/consultation-fit-replacement-generating-equipment Edited September 13, 2021 by Andehh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 42 minutes ago, Andehh said: For others in a similar situation, the below will 'help', but I may need too still reach out to them. Removal & refit for roof change, but maintaining existing equipment I hope to maintains our eligibility. It isn't definitively clear in my mind though? https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications/consultation-fit-replacement-generating-equipment That will be worth following. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted September 13, 2021 Share Posted September 13, 2021 Don’t tell anyone then, and it will be fine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andehh Posted September 15, 2021 Author Share Posted September 15, 2021 Just to update, speaking 'hypothetically' with British Gas (my FiT provider) & OFGEM...there seems to be a relatively 'common sense' approach to this, though always take this with a pinch of salt. If you are removing the system for building work, just let us know....when you reinstall it let us know..if system isn't being changed no issues at all. If you change any aspect of the system let us know & provide justification for it/invoices for replacement parts. Replacing 95% of the system with new components (as I was wondering above) would 'probably' class as a new installation & loss of Fit...but if you are replacing some panels due to breakage, that should be fine. There is a slight vagueness overall, ie not cut & dry...just a contact us with a good reason & you will probably be OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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