Six steps to earning an income from your renewable generation asset
At Good Energy, we work with renewable generators of all sizes: from 30GW offshore wind generators to 30kW Smart Gen customers. We want to make it simple for all of those generators to start earning money from the energy they export as quickly as possible. That’s why we have put together this six step guide to earning an income from your renewable generation assets.
1. Have your renewable generation assets installed and commissioned
The first step to earning money from your renewable generation assets, is to have them installed and commissioned, if you haven’t already. The majority of the generation sites we work with are solar, and we also work with hundreds of wind, hydro and AD generators across the country too.
How can we support you?
Do you need help deciding whether generating renewable power is the right option for you? Read our recent guide – onsite renewable generation or renewable energy from the grid.
Good Energy installs solar panels through Wessex ECOEnergy, an established solar panel installer that became part of Good Energy Group in 2023. Wessex is based in Dorset and is MCS, RECC and Tesla Energy Certified, with a strong reputation for high-quality service and installation standards.
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions or would like to use these energy services, by emailing PPA@goodenergy.co.uk.
2. Contact your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to get your export MPAN
The second step is to contact your local DNO to get an export MPAN (Meter Point Administration Number). Your export MPAN is your unique connection to the grid that enables us to monitor and pay you for the electricity you export.
The UK is mostly operated by eight DNOs which are split by region, however there are a number of independent DNOs that service newer parts of the network. You can find out who your local DNO is here by typing your postcode into the search bar.
How can we support you?
If you are unsure, we can help you to identify your local DNO and advise how to get in touch with them.
3. Get a Meter Operator (MOP) and contract for export
The third step is to get a Meter Operator (MOP) contract in place for export, and a DCDA in place.
MOP contracts cover the supply and maintenance of electricity meters. You will already have a Meter Operator contract in place for the electricity that you import from the grid. Your import and export MOP must match, so you can either contact your import MOP to ask them to also cover your export; or you can find a new MOP for both here.
DCDA is another contract that you need to get in place (although we can organise this on your behalf), and these roles are often covered by the same company. The Data Collector retrieves the meter readings from your sites on a half-hourly basis, and the Data Aggregator aggregates it to meet industry standards so it is ready to share with your supplier. This step is important as it ensures your data follows industry procedures and that you get accurate payments for your power. The DCDA contract may be included within your MOP agreement, or this is something we can do on your behalf.
How can we support you?
We can appoint our preferred DCDA agent on your behalf, but please do let us know if you have this service included in your Meter Operator contract so we can ensure the correct agents are appointed straight away.
4. Contact Good Energy for a quote
Once you have your Export MPAN and your MOP and DCDA contracts in place, the next step is to contact a PPA provider, like Good Energy, for a quote. For over 20 years, we’ve worked hard to provide generators with a friendly expert service; and to help them to get paid a fair rate for their electricity. We currently work with over 1700 independent generators across the country.
Our requirement is that your site should be exporting at least 30kW, although this does vary based on the technology you have installed. If your export capacity falls below this, please get in touch by emailing us on PPA@goodenergy.co.uk and we can find the right export tariff for you.
Once you’ve agreed to the terms and signed your Smart Gen or PPA Contract, your next step will be to complete our registration form.
How can we support you?
Once you have reviewed your quote and signed and returned your contract, we will onboard your export supply.
5. Your meter will be reprogrammed or a new export meter installed
Once you have a PPA quote in place, your Meter Operator will advise if your existing import meter can be re-programmed to send your export readings automatically – which is normally the case; or if you need a new export meter to be installed.
How can we support you?
Good Energy will organise your meter reprogramming or new meter installation with industry partners – there is no action for you at this stage.
6. Your export readings data will be sent to Good Energy
Once all of these steps have been completed, your meter will be set up to send us readings automatically. At this stage, we will set up your customer portal where you will be able to view all your data and bills, keep your details up to date and make payments.
How can we support you?
Your online customer portal will enable you to self-serve all of your day to day account activities like viewing your self billed invoices and half hourly data. Our team of PPA experts are here to support you with any questions you might have – such as helping you with new connections and advising you of regulatory changes.
Earning money from your generation asset can be confusing when you haven’t done it before. We hope that these steps will help to make this process clearer for you. If we can be of any help, please get in touch with us on ppa@goodenergy.co.uk, or by calling us on 0345 034 2402.
