Guidance and Publications

Final Installed Capacity Guidance for Solar PV

Posted 28.05.2024

This guidance provides Generators with guidance on the forms of evidence that the Low Carbon Contracts Company considers acceptable to be provided with the Final Installed Capacity (“FIC”) Notice.

The guidance covers:

1. FIC Notice Submission: Generators are required to submit a Final Installed Capacity (FIC) Notice within ten business days after the Longstop Date, detailing the Commissioned Installed Capacity and including supporting information that confirms the details of the assets comprising the Facility.
2. Supporting Information for FIC: Acceptable forms of evidence for the FIC Notice include Take Over Certificates (TOCs) for each element of the Facility, Directors’ Certificates, and detailed reports calculating the sum of capacity for each part of the Solar facility.
3. Calculation of Installed Capacity: The document outlines the methodology for determining the net AC capacity from the nameplate AC capacity of all Solar equipment, minus Facility-wide parasitic loads and electrical losses up to the Facility Metering System at the Boundary Point.
4. Whole Facility Test (WFT): Generators must perform a Whole Facility Test to demonstrate that the Facility’s capacity meets the Required Installed Capacity (RIC) threshold. This includes providing calibration certificates for all irradiation and temperature sensors.

The updates from the previous version include a more detailed explanation of the evidence required for the FIC Notice, such as the need for TOCs for each element of the Facility and a Directors’ Certificate. It also provides a clearer methodology for calculating the net AC capacity, emphasising the importance of the Whole Facility Test to confirm the Facility’s capacity. These updates aim to streamline the FIC process and provide clearer compliance pathways for Generators.