Review of the UK's FIT system earlier than originally expected

According to the website http://www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/pn11_010/pn11_010.aspx there will be a review of the FIT's by the end of 2011.

This is due to the fact that large companies are possibly soaking up all the money that was intended for the smaller scale producers such as myself.

There is a note near the bottom which might affect those people thinking about getting in on the act. If you're waiting for improvements to the solar panels etc and hoping to get in before the tariff's go down it might be worth taking this into account.

"The Government will not act retrospectively and any changes to generation tariffs implemented as a result of the review will only affect new entrants into the FITs scheme. Installations which are already accredited for FITs at the time will not be affected."

Difficulties with webbox

As per usual it is probably something I've done wrong but I'm having trouble getting the webbox to do what I want.

At present I can't seem to login to check/change the settings. Waiting on reply from SMA for answers hopefully.

Step closer to getting system live on the web.

I have now received an SMA webbox which should allow me to post the system status on the web.

It is not a cheap piece of kit for the average home user but I am committed to getting my information out there for the wider community to see how well my system is doing.

Currently going through the manual. I have connected the unit to the router and changed the NetID pot switch to enable communication with the inverter in the loft.

Now it should just be a case of setting up the web programs etc.

First FIT payment from e.on

I have got my first payment from the electricity company.

I supplied a reading to them on the 25th January 2011 and I received a statement dated the 31st January 2011.

The reading was 381 kWh from the 20th October 2010.

The rate is 41.3p/kWh generated + 3p/50% kWh generated. The average rate is therefore 42.8p/kWh.

The total they're sending to me works out as £163.07p. This will be paid into the nominated bank account in 5 - 10 working days.

Sunny Beam installed

I have received the Sunny Beam equipment for my PV inverter. It came in two bits.

The first piece is a bluetooth transmitter which fits into the inverter. The second piece is the Sunny Beam display unit.

Although the units work perfectly well together they haven't yet got the ability to post my data to a website.

After talking to my fitter I will be able to return the display unit and see how much a more expensive unit called a Sunny Web Box which is supposed to be able to do what I want.

FIT plan accepted by E.ON

E.ON have now received the FIT paperwork for my PV system.

This means that they will now be paying me for generating power at The Swamp. This also means that I can pay the fitter the final 5% of the installation fee.

Solar generation numbers so far ......

Well I have finally returned to The Swamp to a very cold snap.

The generation meter showed 198kWh since the installation was completed. This equates to 42 days (appropriate). So far this means we have an average daily production of 4.71 kWh.

The current rate is 41.3p per unit generated, whether I use it or not. Eon have agreed that they will pay me an extra 3p/unit for 50% of what I generate as part of the FIT.

The equation is 41.3p x units generated + 3p x 50% units generated. 41.3 x 1 x units + 3 x 0.5 x units = 42.8p x units

In money terms, given 41.3p/kWh, and that 50% will get an extra 3p per unit, I have generated approximately £84.74 since connection.

If I use this average generation over a period of 365 days this equates to an annual influx of £735.80. This DOES NOT take into account the amount I save by not buying in this energy.

The weather is obviously not the best, as the days are short and the sun is low in the sky.

I have ordered a meter which should hopefully let me post my daily generation levels on the web LIVE!