Adapting PV*SOL for the UK Feed-In and Export Tariffs Relates to: PV*SOL premium 7.0 PV*SOL 7.0 Last Updated: 18 th Oct 2014 Scope of this Document: PV*SOL uses an economic analysis method based on the German standard VDI 6025 which is adapted to UK conditions. This document explains how to set up a project for either a Metered system (i.e. with export meter) or one that is Deemed *. Note: Pressing F1 > Glossary will show you many of the PV*SOL definitions of terms used. 1. Introduction The main adaptions for setting up PV*SOL for the UK are: Assessment period to complete financial years Adapting tariffs Deemed* utility agreements Price of Electricity Inflation rates * Deemed is where an export meter is not fitted (typical of many UK domestic systems) thus there is no measurement of how much electricity is being sold to the grid (utility). Instead, an assumption (rightly or wrongly) of 50% of generation is exported is made. 2. Setting up the assessment period to be complete years Unless the start date is set to start of calendar year, the first year s financial analysis will be shown as a part year. Whilst not incorrect, many prefer to see all years calculated as 12 months. In this case, first set the start of operation as the 1 st of January in the Project Data dialogue as per the screenshot below.
If the analysis is only required for the length of the feed-in tariff then set the assessment period as follows: in the Financial Analysis dialogue > Edit Financial Analysis button > General Parameters tab, select 19 complete years to actually give a 20 year analysis (or 24 for a 25 year analysis). This is because the first year is added on to this figure: e.g. 19 complete years + first year = 20 year analysis. Click Close. However the advantage of setting a longer assessment period is that the gains made from the own-use savings are clearer even after the FiT has finished. In this case the assessment period might be set to the estimated life if the system. 3. Selecting Feed-In Tariffs In the Financial Analysis dialogue: 1) Set the Price of Directly Marked Current to 0 (Used in some non-uk countries). 2) Select the checkbox Validity of the Feed-in Tariff = Date of Activation. 3) Set the Inflation (such as to the Retail price Index) rates to the expected averages over the assessment period. 4) If the correct Applied feed-in tariffs are not listed then first remove the unwanted ones then click the Add button to open the Feed-In dialogue as shown below. 5) Choose United Kingdom.
6) Decide if the system is Building attached or Stand-alone. Then decide if higher, lower or medium rates apply according to OFGEM guidelines. www.ofgem.gov.uk. 7) For fully metered connections choose both an Export tariff and a Generation tariff. For deemed connections, choose Export with deeming and Generation tariffs. For each selection click OK and then Add to return to the dialogue and add the remaining one such that two tariff types are listed as per the screenshot above. 8) Check the values are correct by clicking on the I button next to each tariff. 4. Customising or updating tariffs 1) Choose the UK tariff variant closest the one that is required, right-click and Copy Selection.
2) With the copied tariff dialogue now open, re-name as required and change the relevant fields, finally pressing OK to save. Then select the saved tariff from longer list to finally be included in the assessment. System records cannot be changed, only copied. The current rates can be found at www.ofgem.gov.uk. Name This will show in the database list and should indicate if Higher, Medium or Lower rates as well as applying dates for ease of reference. Country - United Kingdom City - Can be left blank unless there is a regional variant Type of Installation State if building attached or stand-alone (i.e. no building) Valid From Date the tariff started. Power Thresholds - Tariff power band definitions: The default PV generator output in PV*SOL is stated under STC conditions and the tariff bands are then chosen automatically dependant on each system design. However in some countries, the generator output and tariff boundaries have a different definition because of subsidies or the grid network operator. For the UK the following definitions may apply: Total Installed Capacity (TIC) or Declared Net Capacity (DNC). For TIC is taken at maximum DC array power averaged within the best month s irradiation with clear sky at optimum tilt angle. For DNC this would be the TIC less all the losses measured until after the inverter and expressed as AC output. If these definitions do apply, the tariff bands must be adjusted accordingly and saved. Compensated portion Generally 100% unless if a deemed tariff then 50% may apply. Feed-in/Export/Generation Tariffs The tariffs are entered here. The current rates can be found at www.ofgem.gov.uk. The program will automatically work out which rate to use according to the STC rated output of the array you have designed. Use the red or green icons to add or delete rows. Own Consumption Remuneration - This is not yet relevant for the UK. Leave blank.
Available Tick if available, un-tick if not. 5. From grid tariffs 1) If relevant From Grid fields are not shown, ensure the project is designed for Net Metering in the Climate, Grid and System type dialogue. 2) Set the Inflation rate to the expected annual increase. 3) If the correct tariff is not already present, click the Select button. 4) Choose United Kingdom. 5) Select a tariff Only one is chosen. 6) To amend or update, right click on an existing tariff and select Copy Selection. With the copied tariff dialogue now open, re-name as required and change the relevant fields, finally pressing OK to save. Then select the saved tariff from longer list to finally be included in the assessment. System records cannot be changed, only copied.
Country - United Kingdom City - Can be left blank unless there is a regional variant Energy Supplier Select supplier or add using adjoining edit button. Base Price - Standing charge for customer s electricity. Energy Price - Unit price customer pays for electricity. Available Tick if available, un-tick if not. ENDS.