A like for like panel replacement means taking your existing solar panels off the roof and fitting new ones of about the same total capacity. This article explains what that does to your Feed-in Tariff payments. It also covers what you must tell your FIT licensee, and what your network operator needs to know.
Your FIT licensee is the energy company that pays you. Ofgem administers the scheme and sets the guidance both of you follow. Neither of them is the same as your Distribution Network Operator, which looks after the cables in the street.
Key Points
- Ofgem's guidance says you may repair or replace all or some of your generating equipment. That does not affect the compliance of an accredited installation, as long as it still meets the scheme rules.
- For solar, "generating equipment" means the panels and the inverters.
- Three scheme rules must still be met. Total installed capacity stays at or below 5 MW. The installation still generates from the same eligible technology. It is not decommissioned or moved to another site.
- Your generation tariff rate is attached to your accredited installation, not to the individual panels. Ofgem's supplier guidance states that changes to total installed capacity do not affect the tariff rate.
- You must contact your FIT licensee if the work increases or decreases your total installed capacity. If you are MCS-FIT accredited, Ofgem says you should also tell your licensee about any other modifications.
- Capacity added on or after 15 January 2016 gets no FIT support, for generation or for export. So a "like for like" job that quietly ends up bigger is not paid on the extra.
- If the installation is moved to a different site it stops being eligible. Taking panels off temporarily, for a roof repair, is looked at case by case.
- Your network operator has to be told when you remove or replace a generating unit.
- You can also move your export payment to the Smart Export Guarantee. It pays on the export a meter records, instead of the deemed 50% of generation.
Common Misconceptions
- Changing the panels cancels my FIT. It does not. Ofgem's guidance says replacement of generating equipment does not, in itself, affect the compliance of an accredited installation.
- Better panels mean a bigger FIT cheque per kWh. No. Your rate per kWh does not change. You are paid for more kWh only if the same accredited capacity produces more.
- More efficient panels always mean more payments. Only up to the accredited capacity. Anything above that is an extension and earns nothing under FIT.
- I can take my panels with me when I move. No. Ofgem ties accreditation to a specific site. Move the installation and it stops being eligible.
- My installer sorts the licensee out. Your installer can help, but the duty to notify sits with you as the FIT generator, under your statement of FIT terms.
Real-World Advice
One Hailsham customer came to us to replace an older system. They said the work was tailored to their needs, with real attention to detail. That is a real job, but we cannot say here whether that system was on the Feed-in Tariff.
Every project published on our work page at the time of writing is a new installation from 2026, not a FIT era replacement. So we do not yet have a published case study for this exact job.
UK-Specific Considerations
Capacity is the thing to watch. Modern panels are far more powerful than 2010 to 2015 panels. Fitting the same number of panels can easily raise your total installed capacity. Under Ofgem's rules that counts as an extension. An extension commissioned on or after 15 January 2016 receives no FIT payments on the added part.
Keeping the same capacity keeps things simple. If the new array matches the accredited capacity, there is no extension to deal with. You still tell your licensee what has changed.
Second hand equipment is allowed. Ofgem's guidance says you may replace generating equipment with equipment that formed part of an installation previously accredited under FIT or the Renewables Obligation.
Your MCS certificate is usually left alone. Ofgem tells licensees not to ask for the MCS certificate to be updated for changes made after you joined the scheme. They should ask for objective evidence instead, such as invoices and photographs.
Network operator paperwork. Panels on their own are not the generating unit that matters here; the inverter is. If the inverter is not being changed, ask your installer to confirm what the network operator wants. The Energy Networks Association guide lists "inform your DNO if you remove or replace your generating unit" as an ongoing duty of the system owner.
No payments while the roof is bare. Ofgem's supplier guidance is blunt about this. You cannot claim FIT payments while the works are taking place, because the installation is not generating.
Export payments can move to the SEG. Your FIT generation payment carries on either way. FIT deemed export assumes half of what you generate is exported, which Ofgem sets at 50% for solar PV. You can instead opt out of FIT export and take a Smart Export Guarantee tariff, paid on the export a meter actually records. You need an export meter or a smart meter that records export, and a SEG licensee. It can pay more if you export a lot, so compare your deemed export payment with what a meter would record. See SEG export payments alongside your FIT.
Keep, notify or apply
| What you are doing | Effect on FIT generation payments | What has to happen |
|---|---|---|
| Same capacity, new panels | Rate and term unchanged | Tell your FIT licensee what changed. Keep invoices and photographs |
| New panels, higher capacity | Original capacity keeps its rate; added capacity gets no FIT | Tell your FIT licensee. Readings may be pro rated by capacity if one meter is shared |
| New panels, lower capacity | Accreditation continues. Ofgem says eligibility date, tariff rate and eligibility period are not affected | Tell your FIT licensee. Take a meter reading on the date of the change |
| Panels moved to a different property | Installation stops being eligible | Ofgem withdraws accreditation |
When This Isn't Right For You
- The panels still work and are only dusty, shaded or badly monitored. Fix that first.
- You are near the end of your eligibility period. Ofgem's supplier guidance says the period is 20 years for the majority of installations. Check your end date before spending.
- The roof itself is the problem. There is no point putting new panels on failing tiles or rotten battens.
- The array is leased or on a rent a roof deal. Then you may not own the equipment at all.
Before You Spend Money
- Get your latest FIT statement out. It shows your FIT ID, your licensee and your accredited capacity. Everything below is measured against that capacity figure.
- Ask the installer for the new total capacity in kW, in writing. Compare it with the accredited figure before you agree to anything.
- Ask your FIT licensee what they want to see. Requirements are set in your statement of FIT terms, and they vary between licensees.
- Take a generation meter reading on the day the work happens. Ofgem asks for readings to be taken on the date of a change of capacity.
- Photograph the old array and the meter before the panels come off. Licensees can ask for photographic evidence when a reading looks unusual.
- Ask who is telling the network operator, and when.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will replacing my panels stop my Feed-in Tariff payments?
A: Ofgem's guidance says replacing generating equipment does not, in itself, affect the compliance of an accredited installation. The installation must still meet the scheme rules, and you must tell your FIT licensee about the change.
Q: Do I get a higher rate per kWh if the new panels are better?
A: No. Your generation rate is set by your eligibility date and your accredited capacity. Ofgem's supplier guidance says changes to total installed capacity do not affect the tariff rate.
Q: What if the new panels make the system bigger?
A: That counts as an extension. Ofgem says an extension commissioned on or after 15 January 2016 is not eligible for FIT support, for generation or export. The original capacity keeps its tariff.
Q: Do I need a new MCS certificate?
A: Usually not for a change made after you joined the scheme. Ofgem tells licensees to ask for objective evidence such as invoices and photographs instead, then update the register.
Q: Can I claim FIT while the roof work is going on?
A: No. Ofgem's supplier guidance says you cannot claim FIT payments while the works are taking place, because the installation is not generating.
Summary
Replacing panels on a FIT system is allowed. Your generation rate stays with your accredited capacity, and the scheme does not punish you for fitting better equipment. The two things that cause trouble are capacity creep and silence. Keep the capacity at or below what you were accredited for, or accept that the extra earns nothing under FIT. Then tell your FIT licensee, in writing, what changed and when. Take a meter reading on the day.