Installer Directory
author

Written-by

Janet Richardson

calendar

Updated on

Apr 21, 2023

Read Time : 3 Minutes

Feed-in Tariff and Green Deal

For Solar Panels

What is the Feed in Tariff?

One of the previous attractions of taking on major renewable energy projects such as solar panels was the Government’s Feed in Tariff or FiT. This essentially meant that the electricity produced by your solar panel system was paid for by the government to help offset the cost of buying the system over 20 years. It put installations like solar panels into the category of a long term investment that could, under certain conditions, yield a decent profit as well as providing a means of producing clean and cheaper electricity. The Feed in Tariff was introduced to encourage people to take up renewable energy generating technologies such as:

Large companies such as British Gas and Scottish Power are, by law, compelled to provide Feed in Tariffs for any household or business that produces excess electricity by means of such technologies as solar power. However, smaller companies are not forced to administer the scheme and it is worth asking the question if you get your energy from anywhere outside of the big six.

COMPARE PRICES FROM LOCAL INSTALLERS

Compare prices from local companies fast & free

Enter your postcode to compare quotes from leading professionals. We promise to keep your information Safe & Secure. Privacy Policy

Changes to the Feed in Tariff

One of the biggest changes to solar in recent years were the changes to the FiT which has now ended. Having said that, those installing solar panels can still achieve reasonable savings over the lifetime of their array as electricity charges will continually rise and changes to legislation will allow energy firms to bid for the price they will pay you for the electricity you sell back to the grid..

How to Qualify for a Feed in Tariff

This scheme has ENDED - Below information is for historical reference only! Under this scheme, if you had solar panels installed, both the equipment and the installer needed to be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). You would then be eligible for FiT based on your home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). You could not qualify for the Feed in Tariff if you completed a DIY installation. Note that hydroelectric and anaerobic technologies have a different qualification standard and you will need to go through what is known as the ROO-FiT process. You can find certified installers of renewable technology on our hub database.

How Did the FiT work?

Basically, if you had a solar panel installation, you will be creating your own electricity. This was bought by the energy company who will pay you for each unit that you generate. They will also pay you an export tariff for any surplus electricity you created. The Feed in Tariff is the total amount that the energy company pays you and would have varied depending upon the size and efficiency of your installation. FIT Tariff for solar panels 2018 - 2019

How Long Will the Feed in Tariff Last?

The good news was that the Feed in Tariffs for solar panels, wind turbines, mCHP and hydro were guaranteed for 20 years. This means that, if you could afford the upfront costs, going for one of the eligible renewable technologies could have presented a decent investment over time, whilst also ensuring that you were reducing your energy bills and contributing to a cleaner environment. The amount you could have earn't from the FiT will depend on the efficiency of your system and its size but a normal 2 to 3 bedroom house with a 4 kW array and little or no shading around the property should expect:

  • Annual payment from generation tariff 4.02 kW/h: £105
  • Annual fuel bill savings: £72
  • Annual payment from Export Tariff at 5.03 kW/h: £66
  • Total Savings: £242
  • Total cost of system: £4,700
  • Lifetime Earnings: £5,250

Figures were obtained from the Energy Saving Trust solar energy calculator.

Will I Benefit from a Feed in Tariff?

This would have depended on the size and production of your array. With solar panels, the smaller your installation size the less you are going to produce. It’s not just the panels themselves that make the difference. If you have an energy inefficient house it will affect your Energy Performance Certificate. To qualify for the D rating which is the minimum for having the high rate tariff, you may need to spend more money on insulating your home and making sure it is energy efficient. With this in mind, before you select any renewable technology and opt into the FiT, we advise that you deal with the problems of loft and wall insulation first, as well as the energy efficiency of your various appliances.

Other FiT Issues to Consider

  • As installation prices drop and energy prices rise, your pay-back-period will change for the better as long as digression doesn't offset the changes at the time of purchase.
  • Keep an eye on digression, FiT rates are dropping fast (FIT has now ended).
  • Before you sign up for a FiT with a particular energy company read the contract carefully and query anything you don’t understand.
  • You will need to remember to submit meter readings at the right time – no meter reading means you don’t get paid or paid on time.
  • You can switch your energy supplier and your FiT licensee – make sure that if you are moving to a smaller company that they actually offer that service.
  • The FiT for domestic homes is tax free. For businesses you are liable for tax.

There’s no doubt that the Feed in Tariff delivered a return on investment though much less towards the end of the scheme. There are also other options to consider such as the possible Green Deal Finance relaunch that may help with installation costs. If you think you would like to produce your own electricity then you need to take the right advice. With that in mind you can call us on 01392 693900 or search our database of certified installers who can plan your solar or other renewable installation and advise on the best choices to make.

Find a local installer

Welcome to the biggest directory of UK renewable energy companies

image

Related Information

Images

A Complete Guide to Solar Panels in 2023

Solar Panel Information Solar panels to generate electricity, solar PV, are the world's leading...

Images

History of Solar PV

Our journey with solar power goes back thousands of years, beginning with our ancestors harnessing...

Images

What are the different types of solar photovoltaic cells?

Types of Solar Photovoltaic Cells Solar panels convert energy from the sun into the electricity...

Images

Types of Solar Panels

What are the different types of solar panels? We are used to seeing solar panels on the rooftop...

Find a local installer

Welcome to the biggest directory of UK renewable energy companies

Or

COMPARE PRICES FROM LOCAL INSTALLERS

Compare prices from local companies fast & free

Enter your postcode to compare quotes from leading professionals. We promise to keep your information Safe & Secure.

Privacy Policy
Contact

Contact Us

Answer these simple questions and we will find you the BEST prices.

What technology are you looking to install?

What do you require?

What happens now?
  1. We will give you a quick call to discuss your requirements.
  2. With your permission, we'll get three vetted companies to contact you.
  3. Compare quotes and select the best fit.
The Renewable Energy Hub provides expert advice for those looking to invest in renewables.

We've been doing so for over a decade. Fill in the form on the right and one of our experienced operators will give you a call to discuss your requirements and answer any questions you have.

We're ethically run and will only share your details with 1-3 of our REH approved installation companies with your express permission. Privacy Policy

Please enter your contact details

logo

Before you go...

Can we help you with anything?

Leave your details and we'll contact you to discuss your requirements

x

logo

quick and free price comparison for solar or heat pumps