Feed in tariff

Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) are a financial incentive developed by the Department of Climate Change (DECC). The scheme is applicable to a number of technologies (Solar Photovoltaic (PV), Wind, Hydro, and Anaerobic Digestion) up to a maximum capacity of 5MW of Total Installed Capacity (TIC). Micro Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants are also eligible up to 2kw.

You can be paid for the electricity you generate, even if you use it yourself, and for any surplus electricity you export to the grid. And of course you'll also save money on your electricity bill.

FITs aim to make renewable energy generation more financially attractive as it guarantees the payment level for the period of the tariff of all electricity generated by the system. A separate payment is also made for the electricity you don’t use that’s exported to the electricity grid. These payments are in addition to the bill savings made by using the renewable electricity generated.

Customers who are eligible to receive FITs could benefit in 3 ways:

1. Generation tariff – you’re paid a set rate for each unit or kWh of electricity generated. The amount will vary according to the installation but all new installations up to 5MW will qualify for FITs. The rates are subject to the Retail Price Index (RPI) increase measured at the end of the previous financial Year. Once you join, you could continue to benefit from the same tariff for 20 years, or 25 years for solar electricity (PV).

For Solar PV customers the current rate is 43.3p however, under UK government proposals this will be reduced to 21p for installations carried out after the 12 December 2011. The new rate will apply from 1 April 2012. The rate is subject to further government consultation and could be lower or higher than the amount quoted. Further details are available on the Energy Saving Trust website www.est.org.uk

2. Export tariff - a further payment, currently 3.1p per unit or kWh, is paid for each unit exported back to the electricity grid, which is when it isn’t used on site. This 3.1p export rate is paid regardless of which technology is installed.

3. Energy bill savings – You could make significant savings on your electricity bills because generating electricity to power appliances means you can buy less electricity from us. If you are a Solar PV customer with our medium 2.88kWp system installed, you could save up to £161* a year on your electricity bills. The amount you save will depend on how much electricity you use on site and could be lower.

* Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

^£713 includes: £514 a year from the Generation Tariff at the proposed rate of 21p per unit (kWh) for 2,448kWh generated by a system installed after 12 December 2011; £38 from the Export Tariff at 3.1p per unit (kWh) based on an average of 50% (1,224kWh) of the electricity generated being exported to the electricity grid and 50% being consumed in the home; and £161 saving based on the EDF Energy Standard Tariff electricity price, averaged across all regions, of 13.2p. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the proportion of electricity generated used in the home may be as low as 25% for a typical PV system, but could be 50% or more. With a typical 2.88kWp system this means possible annual savings of £80 to £161. Generation and Export Tariff payments subject to RPI changes. £713 does not allow for maintenance costs. The system is designed to last many years maintenance free, but components may require maintenance or replacement over their lifetime. Actual income and savings may vary. Further details available at www.est.org.uk or by calling our Green Energy Team on 0800 051 1905†.

For residential customers we currently offer our fully installed EcoRenew Solar PV panel systems. To find out more about our solar PV panel systems call our dedicated Green Energy Team free on 0800 051 1905† .

The Generation Tariff rate is currently set at 43.3p for each unit (or kWh) you generate through the PV system. However the rate only applies for customers who have a Solar PV system installed and who are eligible before 12 December 2011.

Under UK government proposals the 43.3p unit rate will be reduced to 21p per unit for systems Installed after 12 December 2011. However the new rate will apply from 1 April 2012. The rate is subject to further government consultation and could be lower or higher than the amount quoted. Further details are available on the Energy Saving Trust website www.est.org.uk

In addition, a payment, currently 3.1p for each unit (or kWh) is paid for the electricity you generate and don’t use and that’s exported back into the electricity grid.

For our medium size 2.88kWp Solar PV installation you can expect to receive up to £514* a year for all the electricity you generate under the Generation Tariff. This is in addition to £38* a year for the electricity you export back to the grid under the Export Tariff. These rates will be paid for up to 25 years*.

The Generation Tariff rate is based on 21p per unit and applies for systems installed after 12 December 2012 and will apply from 1 April 2012*

* Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

^£713 includes: £514 a year from the Generation Tariff at the proposed rate of 21p per unit (kWh) for 2,448kWh generated by a system installed after 12 December 2011; £38 from the Export Tariff at 3.1p per unit (kWh) based on an average of 50% (1,224kWh) of the electricity generated being exported to the electricity grid and 50% being consumed in the home; and £161 saving based on the EDF Energy Standard Tariff electricity price, averaged across all regions, of 13.2p. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the proportion of electricity generated used in the home may be as low as 25% for a typical PV system, but could be 50% or more. With a typical 2.88kWp system this means possible annual savings of £80 to £161. Generation and Export Tariff payments subject to RPI changes. £713 does not allow for maintenance costs. The system is designed to last many years maintenance free, but components may require maintenance or replacement over their lifetime. Actual income and savings may vary. Further details available at www.est.org.uk or by calling our Green Energy Team on 0800 051 1905†.

You could save up to £161* a year for the electricity you use to run your appliances on top of the income you receive for generating your own renewable energy.

* Solar Photovoltaic (PV)

^£713 includes: £514 a year from the Generation Tariff at the proposed rate of 21p per unit (kWh) for 2,448kWh generated by a system installed after 12 December 2011; £38 from the Export Tariff at 3.1p per unit (kWh) based on an average of 50% (1,224kWh) of the electricity generated being exported to the electricity grid and 50% being consumed in the home; and £161 saving based on the EDF Energy Standard Tariff electricity price, averaged across all regions, of 13.2p. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the proportion of electricity generated used in the home may be as low as 25% for a typical PV system, but could be 50% or more. With a typical 2.88kWp system this means possible annual savings of £80 to £161. Generation and Export Tariff payments subject to RPI changes. £713 does not allow for maintenance costs. The system is designed to last many years maintenance free, but components may require maintenance or replacement over their lifetime. Actual income and savings may vary. Further details available at www.est.org.uk or by calling our Green Energy Team on 0800 051 1905†.

EDF Energy is a mandatory FITs licensee. If you are an eligible EDF Energy customer, an ‘off grid’ generator or if you are supplied by a non-mandatory supplier and you produce your own electricity from a certificated source, you can sign up to FITs with us.

You are eligible if your renewable electricity installation is smaller than 5MW capacity and if your installation is:

accredited by the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)
on the Ofgem central Feed-in Tariff register
or if you receive or have registered to receive Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROC's) before 31 March 2010

If you are unsure if you’re eligible, call our dedicated Green Energy Team free on 0800 404 9087† to find out more.

The following links will allow you to download all the forms you need to make your application.

• Application Form

• Our Terms

• What we have to Offer

Alternatively, you can call our dedicated Green Energy Team free on 0800 404 9087† who will be happy to talk you through the application process.

Our offices are open for postal applications Monday to Friday, we do not receive deliveries on Saturdays or Sundays. We recommend using the Royal Mail Special Delivery service to ensure your paperwork reaches us safely.

If you would prefer to send your application electronically, please e-mail a scanned copy of both the application and supporting documents to feedintariffs@edfenergy.com

This mailbox generates an automatic response to confirm your mail has reached us safely.

Once we have checked you are eligible we will send you a FITs application form. We will then forward your application form to Ofgem to register you on the Ofgem Central Feed-in Tariffs Register. If you have agreed to our Terms and Conditions we will pay you on a quarterly basis, providing you supply us with regular meter readings.

FITs eligibility remains with the installation, even if the ownership of the home or generating technology changes. Therefore the technology must have been eligible before you move in, even if it is not registered yet.

Ownership of the technology is linked to the site and, therefore, in the case where a building or homeownership changes, the ownership of the technology would also transfer to the new owner.

Generation must be metered and FITs payments are made to generators on the basis of metered generation. Meters will need to be able to measure generation, usage and import. However, as an interim measure, DECC has announced that at the very small scale, the amount of exports for the payment of export tariffs can be deemed (estimated), subject to the following:

• these arrangements will only apply until the finalising of specifications for smart meters;

• these arrangements do not apply if export meters exist already unless you have a Meter Point Administration Number (MPAN) and are registered through the BSC (Balancing Settlements Code)

Yes you will be eligible to receive a generation tariff up to the rate of 8.5p/kWh. If your system is not fitted directly to a building but electricity generated is wired back to the building to be used on site, then you will be eligible to receive the tariff rate that is applicable for the type and capacity of the generating technology.

If you have a complaint please call our dedicated Green Energy Team free on 0800 404 9087† who will try and resolve any issues or concerns you may have.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has produced a guide to the complaints procedures according to the different types of issues that may be raised by FITs Generators.

Feed in tariff

Frequently asked questions

Related links