You need four things to receive a FiT for electricity exported from a SEG (Small Embedded Generator):
- operational solar panels,
- export approval from your local network company,
- a solar register, and
- a compatible electrical meter.
A good solar installer will handle all of this administration for you, however, it is our experience that not all of them do. As this can come at the loss of your FiT you should be aware of what needs to be done to see the process through to the end.
After installing your solar panels (or in the rarest of occasions, a wind turbine) you need permission from your network company to connect that system to the electrical network. Permission will usually, but not always, be given. Sometimes network operators will have technical reasons for refusing permission.
Next, you need to give that SEG number to your electrical retailer as proof that you have approval to export electricity into your local grid. When you do this a 'register' will be created to record your electricity exports. Note this register may go by various names (e.g. solar register, export register, and B1 register).
Finally, you need to have a meter that can be loaded with an export register. Not every meter can so it's important to ensure that your meter is compatible. If not, you will need to upgrade your meter before any exports are recorded.
Once all of these are done, your exports will be recorded by your electrical meter and you will be paid the agreed FiT for the energy you export.