Why should I purchase Solar Panels now?

The Government has implemented changes to the Solar PV Feed-in Tariff and the installation criteria. Effective from the 1st April, your home will need to be energy rated to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Level D if you wish to install solar panels and wish to receive the revised feed in tariff of 21.1p.

What is an EPC?

An Energy Performance Certificate is a document created by a Domestic Energy Assessor containing information on how to make your home more energy efficient and decrease Carbon Dioxide emissions.

To qualify for solar panel installation, you will need to possess a Level D certificate at the very least. According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, only 50% of households meet the minimum EPC rating of at least ‘D’. If you do not have this minimum rating by the EPC deadline date of the 1st April then you will receive a feed in tariff rate of only 9p.

What does the rating mean?

Your home is rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), which identifies the current efficiency level of your home. It also identifies the level of improvements you could make to increase efficiency.

Who needs an EPC?

Currently, EPCs are required by all houses being sold, rented or bought, and after 31st March 2012, will also be required by all households wishing to install a solar power system.

What sort of improvements will be needed to increase the energy efficiency of my home?

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) have indicated that each household may require the installation of some or all of the following measures:

• cavity wall insulation
• loft insulation
• heating controls
• Replacement boiler
• hot water cylinder insulation
• solid wall insulation (primarily for pre-1919 houses).

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.