A bit off topic.
I have been waiting for over 7 weeks now for the cert that allows me to get paid for export. Does anyone have an expected timescale for this? I feel like I am being fobbed off by the installers who say they have applied for it.
CraigSolar If you mean the MCS certificate this should come from your installer directly. I got mine a couple of days after installation.
Are you sure they're MCS registered?
they are talking about the DNO approval, which depends on your DNO's timeframe. I was told it could take 28 days from request by my installer, but read horror stories on here of it taking a lot longer...
CraigSolar If as @pacemaker suggests, it is evidence of the DNO agreement, it depends. If it was a G98 installation (<3.68kW inverter), the notification can go in after commissioning but should be a "paperwork stamping" formality. If it was a G99 Fast track (Total PV installation can exceed 3.68 and multiple inverters, but all inverters must be 3.68kW or less ie G98 compliant) it should also be a formality but paperwork needs to be submitted before commissioning. If it was a full G99 then agreement needs to have been received before connecting to grid (ie your consumer unit).
Presumably yours is either a G98 or G99 fast track installation, otherwise the installer would have had agreement before commissioning.
A friendly call to the DNO wouldn't be out of place. Just remember that your PV investment, while it will be good for you and the environment, doesn't help them in the office. Dealing with changes to the local network which they have no control over (other than to limit you to 3.68kW export) is an administrative overhead that they are responsible for but get no payment for (unless it's a full G99).
You can always call up the DNO directly (whoever that is for your area) and ask for an update. My installer had made a pig's ear of the application (actually they had put in multiple applications, most of which were inaccurate).
Based on what I have seen on this and other forums, most installers really have no interest in this kind of 'noise', so they don't tend to put the effort in - despite it being critical to the customers.
It does seem more complicated than it needs to be. For my recent install I was not going to challange my DNO's decision to cap my export to 3.68kw. All my installer had to do was provide a wiring diagram to prove how the system was capped but instead they went for a new G99 and now the DNO are considering a 8kw export cap. Its just crazy and over complicated. Not sure the DNO's and installers are all on the same wave length either.
My install went in on Monday/Tuesday this week. My installer emailed me the MCS certificate on Tuesday evening (very impressed) and said he had also put in for the DNO approval but that could take weeks, we will see.
when I discussed with my installer in terms of G98 vs G99 etc they seemed relatively clueless as to which one would be sent to DNO despite it being their job to do it... I'm waiting for mine still - not entirely sure what I'll get!
pacemaker Disterbing isn't it. They could even google it and get a simple answer in seconds!
Even more scary is that installers appear to do all the connection work and get the dno applicaiton retrospecitivly.... Could have a 10, 20kw home pv system suddenly dumping into the grid in the Summer!
pacemaker Just look on the side of your inverter(s) manufacturer's data plate. If there's a big G98 at the bottom, it's a G98. If it's a G99, then it'll be a G99 application. I don't think it's rocket science.
Tim I don't have that on the sticker of my solaredge inverter tbh
pacemaker I guess if you google the model number, it should take you to the manufacturer's web site where the type testing should be listed as part of the spec.
My final (Post commissioning) DNO approval took 6 weeks to come through - entirely down to the DNO being tardy. The MCS certificate? Well I just made a nuisance of myself with my installer until they got fed up enough to sort it for me. Should not have had to do that, but not unusual in this market.