Energy Performance Criteria (EPC Deadline)

Published: Thursday 9th February 2012

The Government has today announced plans to change the Solar PV Feed-in Tariff (FIT) and installation criteria. A notable change, effective from 1st April 2012, is that homeowners considering Solar Panels must ensure that their properties meet an Energy Performance Certification (EPC) rating of at least ‘D’.

The proposed plans follow phase one of the FIT consultation, which ran from 31st October 2011 to 23rd December 2011, and take into account the near 3000 consultation responses. The planned changes intend to ensure that the future of the FIT scheme is transparent, more predictable and reflects consumer take-up and price changes.

What happens after the EPC deadline of 1st April 2012?

Systems installed on properties with an EPC rating lower than ‘D’, after the EPC deadline of 1st April 2012, would receive only 9p per unit of electricity generated. This is instead of the current FIT rate of 21p and a Return on Investment between 7.3% and 9.3%, which would apply to properties with an EPC rating of ‘D’ or above.

Solar installations completed between 1st April 2012 and 31st March 2013 will have up to 12 months from the eligibility date to retrospectively install energy efficiency measures needed to meet the EPC requirements. If these measures are not installed within the 12 months, the FIT rate would automatically drop to the lower rate of 9p per kWh.

What percentage of properties have an EPC rating of D?

The Department of Energy and Climate Change estimate that 50% of properties will not currently meet the minimum EPC rating of at least ‘D’. Therefore, customers could be looking at expensive property upgrades just to meet the EPC criteria for Solar Panels installed from 1st April 2012.

Examples and typical costs of potential property upgrades include:

• Investing in a new boiler - up to £1,500.
• Fitting double glazing - up to £5,000.
• Installing solid wall insulation - up to £6,000.

Don't delay, install Solar Panels before 1st April 2012, beat the EPC deadline and avoid the requirement to ensure your property has an EPC rating of at least ‘D’. Apply Online

What other changes are planned?

Other changes planned to the Solar PV Feed-in Tariff and installation criteria include:

• Reducing the FIT rate to between 16.5p and 13.6p in July 2012.
• Lowering the FIT rate by another 5% in October 2012 and every six months thereafter.
• Implementing an automatic reduction of 10% every six months from October 2012.
• Reducing the FIT lifetime from 25 years to 20 years.
• Removing the Feed-in Tariff rate link to inflation.
• Raising the export tariff rate.

The full FIT phase 2 consultation document can be read on the DECC website.

How can I get Solar Panels before 1st April 2012?

If you wish to beat the EPC deadline of 1st April 2012, receive a guaranteed Feed-in Tariff rate of 21p for 25 years and get a Return on Investment between 7.3% and 9.3%, simply compete the online Application Form.

EnergyLink can then arrange for you to receive up to three free no-obligation surveys and competitive quotes from MCS accredited installers of Solar PV systems in your local area.