Solar feed in tariff & switching electric supplier

[Bruce Almighty]

We fitted solar panels with feed in tariff in 2011.

Since then we have always bought our electricity from British Gas and have received FiT from them.

Our BG contract expires in a few months and Scottish Power are much cheaper than BG on the new quotes.

Will BG continue to pay us the FiT if we move or do we need to check that Scottish Power will before signing up with them ?

Thanks in advance

 

[AlexMcGowan]

Hi @Bruce Almighty

They are 2 separate agreements, so you should be able to keep your FIT with BG and move your import supply over to Scottish Power, in the same way you can spit your export PPA agreement from your FIT processor.

One thing to look out for however, is whether BG will implement any administrative charges for processing the FIT, should you not buy or sell any power with them.

 

[Bruce Almighty]

Hi @Bruce Almighty

They are 2 separate agreements, so you should be able to keep your FIT with BG and move your import supply over to Scottish Power, in the same way you can spit your export PPA agreement from your FIT processor.

One thing to look out for however, is whether BG will implement any administrative charges for processing the FIT, should you not buy or sell any power with them.

thanks, worth knowing

they're currently paying us 4.82 per kW exported (we have 26 kW so reckoning on 50% used)

 

[AlexMcGowan]

That is lower than current market value. Are they paying that as part of the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?

Is it solar you have? If so, it doesn't sound like a system of your size would justify the required metering upgrades in order to trade on the wholesale market. However, since your system is FIT accredited it may be worthwhile asking BG what your FIT export rate would be, instead of SEG. The FIT export rate is linked to RPI from when the system was installed, so many have now overtaken SEG. Suppliers are obligated to inform you if this has happened, but that's not always the case. Definitely worth asking the question of them.

 

[sjt01]

We fitted solar panels with feed in tariff in 2011.

Since then we have always bought our electricity from British Gas and have received FiT from them.

Our BG contract expires in a few months and Scottish Power are much cheaper than BG on the new quotes.

Will BG continue to pay us the FiT if we move or do we need to check that Scottish Power will before signing up with them ?

Thanks in advance

Look at 100 Green, they do us a good deal, and not only took on the FiTs from the farm but also the ones on our staff houses which were with 4 different providers.
My contact is:

Tom Hornby

t:​ 01920 486 156​ d:​ 01920 483 437​ ​ ​ w:​ 100green.com​

 

[Bruce Almighty]

That is lower than current market value. Are they paying that as part of the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG)?

Is it solar you have? If so, it doesn't sound like a system of your size would justify the required metering upgrades in order to trade on the wholesale market. However, since your system is FIT accredited it may be worthwhile asking BG what your FIT export rate would be, instead of SEG. The FIT export rate is linked to RPI from when the system was installed, so many have now overtaken SEG. Suppliers are obligated to inform you if this has happened, but that's not always the case. Definitely worth asking the question of them.

Yes it’s Solar and the FiT is over 10 x the export rate so I don’t worry about the export rate, I just need to make the FiT safe

 

[Doing it for the kids]

You may be forced to fit a smart meter with SSE just FYI

 

[workin f nowt]

I was with British gas when mine was installed. Get electric from elsewhere now but left fit with bg. No issue no charges just send quarterly reading get paid.

 

[e3120]

Ditto. Originally had FIT & PPA with opus (now called Drax renewables). PPA moved a few times since, but FIT still done by Drax. They get a fee for the admin, so should have no complaints.