How do I check my Solar panels are working?

First you should check the isolators (likely in the loft), and circuit breaker (in the fuse box/consumer unit marked PV or Solar) are turned on. The builders sometimes forget to turn them on. The inverter screen (again likely in the loft) may not be lit up if there isn’t enough sunlight currently.

Secondly, you will need to register for an export tariff or Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) with an energy provider. This does not need to be the same as your electricity provider. Octopus for example provide export tariff’s higher than the base SEG rate. You will need the installation documentation (MCS certificate) which you should receive from the builder.

Check your MCS certificate carefully — several residents received certificates for the wrong plot or address. If yours doesn’t match your house, get it corrected before registering for SEG.

Getting the G98 (DNO) letter

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Some suppliers also ask for the G98/DNO notification letter before paying SEG:

• Avant homes — request it from the installer, Solar Site Systems, quoting your site and plot number (Avant customer care or the site office can provide their current contact details).
• Evans homes — ask the site manager to forward it.
• A site-wide G98 letter has been accepted by E.ON and British Gas, so don’t be fobbed off if a supplier initially says they need a per-property one.

Reading your export meter

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On Avant homes, the export reading is on the small LCD next to the fuse board — useful for checking your SEG payments are right.

Monitoring your generation

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Older Avant installations use SolaX inverters, which take an inexpensive WiFi dongle (around £20–25 online) — fit it and use the SolaxCloud app to see live generation. For a full picture of import, export and house usage you’d also need a CT clamp fitted, which is an electrician job.