Below is important information regarding the switch over from the ROC incentive to the FiT incentive which takes place at the end of March. Please read this as you may need to act before the end of March.

One area we should make clear; if you have received a LCBP phase 2 grant, you are not eligible for the FiT unless the grant is repaid. DECC are firm on this point. Every other scenario is covered below. We’ve also attached various documents and links that may be relevant to your situation.

Also if you have installed Sunpower, Suntech or Sanyo 205/210 on any projects then you must apply for a ROC cert before the 31st of March 2010 in order to qualify for the FiT. Please continue reading for a full explanation.

Background (extract from DECC policy letter)
The Government is introducing a system of feed-in tariffs (FITs) for small-scale low-carbon electricity generation from 1 April 2010. FITs are a per-unit support payment made directly to generators by electricity suppliers.

DECC intends that FITs will replace the RO as far as possible as the financial support mechanism for microgeneration in Great Britain.

FITs will complement the RO by providing the simplicity and certainty needed to support householders, communities and businesses involved in small-scale generation.

Installations with a capacity of 5MW or less will be eligible for FITs. Whereas the level of reward under the RO is exposed to fluctuations in the value of Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs), FITs will guarantee a fixed level of reward for each unit of electricity you generate, for as long as you are eligible to receive support.

EST’s advice
The tariffs available and the process for receiving them vary, depending on when the technology was installed, and whether the system and the installer were certificated under the MCS scheme:

Installed before July 15th 2009 and previously collected Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROCs) payments

• You must contact Ofgem to get your ROC transferred to the FIT.
• You will receive 9p/kWh for every unit generated plus 3p/kWh for every unit exported

Installed before July 15th 2009 but not registered for Renewables Obligation Certificates

• You must contact Ofgem by 31st March 2010 to apply for Renewables Obligation accreditation.
• You will receive 9p/kWh for every unit generated plus 3p/kWh for every unit exported

Installed between 15th July 2009 and 1st April 2010

• You can contact OFGEM to apply for Renewables Obligation accreditation by 31st March 2010 and transfer over to FITs on 1st April. You will get the full FIT payment.
• Or, you can wait until 1st April and apply under the FIT scheme directly – see below.

Installed between 15th July 2009 and 1st April, applying for FITs after April 1st 2010

• If the system is not MCS, must apply to Ofgem before 1st April for RO accreditation.
• If system is MCS, must contact FIT licensee for registration (energy supplier).

Installed after 1st April 2010. MCS certificated product and installer

• You are eligible for full generation tariff and export tariff.
• Contact your energy supplier, and send them your MCS certificate to tell them you are eligible to receive FITs.
• If you install after the 2nd year of the scheme your tariff could be reduced, depending on the installation size.

Installed after 1st April 2010. Non-MCS certificated product and installer

• Systems that are not MCS certificated will not be eligible to receive the FIT generation tariff or the guaranteed FIT export tariff. There is the possibility of receiving generation and export tariffs outside of the FIT scheme if privately negotiated.
• You will still benefit from lower electricity bills. The saving will depend on how much of the electricity you generate is used on-site.

Small Generators (50kW to 5MW) installed from 15th July 2009

• You have a one off choice between receiving FITs or RO.
• If you wish to transfer from Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) to FITs email RO2FIT@ofgem.gov.uk by 1st April 2010.
• If you switch to FITs then you will be eligible to receive the full generation tariff and export tariff.

If you are not sure if your system is ROC registered, CLICK HERE to visit to the general area of Ofgem’s site. Or Register by CLICKING HERE

If you need to register for ROCs, this is the process:

• Setup an account at https://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk by clicking on register.
• You will need to register as a generator and select individual as generator organisation type.
• OFGEM will need to approve the account and they will email you a username and password.
  Register the generator to the above account.
• Login in at https://www.renewablesandchp.ofgem.gov.uk/

• Then select the accreditation tab and click apply for new accreditation.

Effectively for this you will need the meter make, model and serial number and the electrical schematic (which also shows and includes the meter details).

Further guidance:
This page has many documents but the most useful one for microgenerators is the on entitled ‘Renewables Obligation: Guidance for microgenerators (small generators 50kW or less) ’. Visit http://www.ofgem.gov.uk

This page has information about the Feed In Tariff scheme and links to DECC and the Energy Saving Trust who are working closely to provide an advice giving service Visit: http://www.ofgem.gov.uk.

Please note: If you require further assistance on registering your PV system, PLEASE CONTACT OFGEM DIRECTLY on 020 7901 7295. As this is an Ofgem process Energi are not able to provide any further advise other than that is contained herein.