Update on FiT Fast Track review - 12th December deadline requirements

Following a large number of enquiries from microgeneration businesses requesting clarification regarding the MCS and FiT licensee requirements for the fast track review 12th December deadline, Regen can confirm the following guidance from DECC's consultation document:

Para 47 of the consultation document states "The effect of the proposal is that in order to be eligible for existing tariffs a PV installation with a total installed capacity of up to 250kW must be *commissioned and have its request for accreditation received by a FiT licensee (in the case of PV installations with a declared net capacity of 50kW or less) or Ofgem (in the case of PV installations with a declared net capacity of more than 50kW) before 12th December 2011. In the case of PV installations with a declared net capacity of 50kW or less, the request for accreditation must include a MCS certificate"

(*An installation is 'commissioned' upon the completion of such procedures and tests as constitute, at the time they are undertaken, the usual industry standards and practices for commissioning that type of installation in order to demonstrate it as capable of operation)

We have provided an outline of the timeline required for installations to be completed and receive the existing tariff rates. Please follow this link for details:

FiT Fast Track Review (PV) - Installation timeline for 12th December deadline

The MCS scheme has also issued this statement on their website: www.microgenerationcertification.org with regards to concerns of the database being inundated with registrations up until the 12th December deadline:

"To all MCS Accredited Installers
Please note that all MCS Installations can be registered on the MCS installation database as normal during the month of November and December 2011.The MCS Database will be in operation as usual, and there is no cut-off deadline with regards to registering installations with the MCS installation database in relation to the FITs changes. We are currently speaking with our database developers about ensuring the system functions accordingly to cope with any increased demand that may take place"

Regen SW also continue to lobby DECC and government on these issues, recently including a discussion regarding the impact on the sector with Minister of State for Energy, the Rt Hon Charles Hendry, at a recent event held by Regen SW in Bristol. We will also be shortly submitting our response to the fast track review consultation, and would encourage microgeneration businesses to reply and lobby their local MP.

We would also encourage businesses to join Regen SW in order to receive continued updates, alongside a host of other benefits including an enhanced profile, a strong sector voice, valuable cost concessions and networking for success, by signing up here. Full details of Regen SW membership benefits can be found in our membership brochure here