EPC

Making the EPC Simple; what does it mean for me?

In order to receive the current maximum Feed in Tariff of 21p you have to ensure that the following is submitted to your energy provider.

• Proof of purchase from your current MCS supplier
• Current MCS Certificate of the system installed on your roof
• And now in addition, from the 1st of April, an EPC Level D Certificate

If you fail to provide all three documents, you will only be eligible to receive the lower Feed In Tariff rate of 9p/kWh for the full 25 year term.

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate is a document providing you with an existing energy rating for your home and indicates its potential to become more energy efficient.

How does this affect my solar installation?

To qualify for the standard Feed In Tariff payments when installing solar panels (currently 21p/kWh) it is compulsory to possess a Level D EPC certificate. If you do not have a Level D EPC, this will reduce the Feed In Tariff you will receive by up to 55%.

What does an EPC look like?

An EPC looks like this and comes with an efficiency report.

Who needs an EPC?

Currently, EPCs are required by all houses being sold, rented or bought, are required by all households owning a solar power system.

What does the rating mean?

Your home is rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), identifying what the current efficiency of your house is and what improvements you could make to increase efficiency.

How much does it cost to get an EPC?

The cost of an EPC varies dependent upon the size and location of your property. Solar Direct Savings are currently offering all customers a free EPC home survey saving you money and making the switch to solar power easier.

How will the EPC affect my FIT?

To qualify for the standard FIT rate of 21p/kWh, your property will need to have an EPC rating of level D or above.

What happens if I don’t have a Level D EPC?

You will not be able to claim the full 21p/ kWh Feed In Tariff for your solar panel system, and will only be eligible to receive the 9p/kWh FIT rate for the full 25 year term of your solar panels. You need to possess a Level D EPC at the time of installing your solar panels; you cannot apply for the Level D after installation is complete. This means that even if you make changes to your property after your solar panels are installed, you will still only be able to receive the lower Feed In Tariff rate.

This means if you don’t have a Level D EPC, you will need to make improvements to your home before purchasing solar panels. Arrange your FREE EPC home survey with SDS today!

Why do I need an EPC before getting my Solar Panels?

The introduction of mandatory EPCs is being made to ensure that homes are already efficient before installing solar panels.