Hi we had our system fitted in September 2021 with the energy providers in turmoil we could get very little advice regarding export tariffs. We now realise we need a MCS certificate to be eligible for export. Is it possible to obtain certification retrospectively and how do we find someone to do this for us if our original installer is not certified?
Not sure. Problem will be finding an installer who is willing to even touch it. All you can do is phone round some local installers and ask. But if the installers around you are as busy as the ones around me it might take 3 to 6 months to get someone to do it. Ordered some more solar 2 weeks ago and earliest install is 1st June. Another company said their earliest install was October! Everyone wants solar to reduce bills and now with 0% VAT it is even better.
Did you not get any certificate at all?!!!!! MCS or flexi-orb should be given with any install.
You should have received a cert at install as rwbarrett suggests so contact the installer. You can obtain copies direct from MCS and can check if one exists by calling their help desk.
See
https://mcscertified.com/consumers-communities/certificate-queries/
singularityagn Octopus have changed their rules - may be of help to you if you still haven't got an MCS cert
https://gtec.co.uk/clause-5-8-octopus-opens-up-the-solar-pv-market-with-a-paragraph/
on the octopus energy application form for feed in or whatever its called now it still wants a Mcs certificate
The updated clause (5.8) is now live on their website T&C’s https://octopus.energy/policies/export-tariffs-terms-conditions/. I suspect they’ll update their webform in due course.
When my panels were done in 2020 the installer had MCS on his website. When finished I asked for the G98 and MCS certificates so I could export. He could not provide the MCS but did give me the G98.
He had previously been MCS but had decided to not renew - dont know why. He than removed MCS form his website.
Luckily all the kit he had used was on the MCS approved list.
I phoned around and found another MCS installer who was prepared to come, check things over and issue the cert for £200 which he did.
You were lucky, I had a system installed by a "MCS" approved installer, they then decided to not renew it, and my system started having LOTS of issues - Thanks Koze home group !!.
They then paid me off / compensation & I got another MCS approved supplier to rectify / re-install the WHOLE system & make it work correctly, & make sure ALL the electrics are safe and compliant.
NOW good old MCS won't give me OR them certification as its classed as "seconds hand equipment".
I am with octopus, so can go up that pathway to sell back my excess, BUT I have to pay them £250 admin fee, get £100 back if they don't take me on.
They do req a NAPIT certificate though.
LOTS of hoops to jump through because of MCS - what a joke !!
Deej
MCS are a joke, I was not able to get a certificate , as the original contractor didn't re-new theres, and they screwed up my system.
I got another MCS approved supplier to remove & re-install EVERYTHING, and make it work correctly & safely, and now MCS say "we don't issues certificates to second hand equipment".
Luckily i am with Octopus energy, so need to jump through hoops to sell back my excess.
Wonder how many others have had the same problem...?
I wonder what their reasoning is for refusing second hand equipment? After all, everything in use is 'second hand' after it's been turned on once! A better term would after all be 'used'.
Come to that, why the need for any kind of certificate? Export is export. The safety side is taken care of by the installing electricians certification.
I know these questions are pointless, I'm just having a rebellious moment!