Solar Maintenance Solutions logo
2010–2015 FiT Systems · 600k+ UK Households

FiT-Era Solar System Support

Specialist support for the ~600,000 UK solar systems installed under the Feed-in Tariff scheme between 2010 and 2015. Inverters that are now end-of-life. Optimisers dropping offline. Original installers gone out of business. We pick up where they left off — and keep your FiT income intact.

The 2026 Reality

FiT systems are entering their replacement decade

If you installed solar between 2010 and 2015 under the UK Feed-in Tariff, you're now sitting on one of the most valuable household energy assets in the country. A 4 kWp system commissioned in 2012 typically pays £1,200–£2,400 per year in FiT income alone — index-linked, and locked in until 2032.

But the hardware around those panels is showing its age. String inverters from 2012 have a typical 12–15 year service life. SolarEdge optimisers from 2014 are entering their second-decade of operation. DC isolators from the 2010–2017 era have been linked to the small but real fire risk that prompted the BSI updates in 2018.

Most of all: the installers who fitted those systems have largely disappeared. The 2010–2014 era saw thousands of smaller installers operating under generous FiT economics. By 2024, half of those companies had folded. You may have an active FiT contract paying £2,000+/year and no installer to turn to when something goes wrong.

That's where we come in.

The Replacement Decade

What needs attention by system age

System age Common issue Indicative cost
10–12 years String inverter approaching end of life £1,400–£2,200 fitted
12–14 years Optimisers (SolarEdge / Tigo) dropping offline £90–£140 per optimiser
13–15 years DC isolators showing arc damage / corrosion £280–£420 per isolator
12+ years Original installer gone out of business £149/year ongoing
10+ years Smart meter not yet installed (no SEG eligibility) Free (supplier-funded)
14+ years Want battery storage but FiT prohibits "system enhancement" £6,800–£8,400 fitted
The FiT Preservation Rules

What you CAN and CAN'T do

Mishandled work voids your FiT contract — costing you tens of thousands over the remaining contract life. We model every change against your FiT terms before recommending it.

Allowed under FiT
  • Like-for-like inverter replacement (same kW)
  • Optimiser / microinverter replacement (warranty)
  • Panel replacement (if individual panels fail)
  • AC-coupled battery storage (separate meter loop)
  • Roof repairs / re-roofing (panel removal & refit)
  • EV charger installation (separate circuit)
  • Adding monitoring or app integration
Voids FiT
  • Adding more panels (system kW increase)
  • Inverter swap that increases system kW
  • Moving panels to a different building / address
  • Permanent disconnection from the metering chain
  • Removing the FiT meter without re-registration
  • DC-coupled battery via direct PV input swap (for some FiT terms)
  • Re-roofing without timely refit (>180 days off-system)
Common Upgrade Paths

What FiT-era owners do next

Most common upgrade

Inverter Replacement

Like-for-like swap when the original 12+ year-old inverter starts failing. Full FiT preservation, manufacturer warranty handled.

See replacement options →

Highest ROI add-on

Battery Retrofit

Add Tesla Powerwall 3, EcoFlow PowerOcean or GivEnergy AIO without affecting FiT. Saves £400–£800/year on top of existing FiT income.

See battery options →

Take over from defunct installer

Maintenance Contract

£149/year ongoing — annual checks, manufacturer warranty filing, fault response, monitoring health verification. Particularly valuable when your original installer has folded.

See plan details →
FiT FAQs

FiT-era system questions

What is a FiT-era solar system?
Solar PV systems installed under the UK Feed-in Tariff scheme between April 2010 and March 2019. The FiT paid generators 14p–55p per kWh of electricity generated, on a 20–25 year contract index-linked to inflation. Systems installed in the early years (2010–2013) earned the highest rates and are still receiving £1,200–£3,000+/year of FiT income today.
Will replacing my inverter cancel my FiT?
No — like-for-like inverter replacement (same kW rating, same configuration) is allowed under FiT contract terms and does NOT cancel your contract. We preserve the FiT meter, notify Ofgem of the change, and your generation income continues uninterrupted.
Can I add a battery to a FiT system?
Yes — AC-coupled batteries (Tesla Powerwall 3, EcoFlow PowerOcean, GivEnergy AIO) sit on a separate metering loop and do not affect FiT generation readings. You keep your FiT income AND gain battery storage savings. The combination typically saves an extra £400–£800/year vs FiT alone.
Should I move to SEG instead of FiT?
Almost never. FiT pays you for ALL generation regardless of where it goes (export or self-consume). SEG pays only for export. A FiT contract paying 30p/kWh is vastly more profitable than any SEG tariff at 5–24p/kWh export-only. Stay on FiT until the contract expires.
When does my FiT contract expire?
FiT contracts run for 20 or 25 years from commissioning date depending on installation year. A typical 2012 install runs to 2032 or 2037. Check your original FiT statement or call your energy supplier. We can also pull your details if you're a maintenance customer.
My system has stopped generating — is it the inverter?
Probably yes if it's 12+ years old. Diagnostic flow: (1) check the inverter display for error codes — most common is "Isolation Fault" or "Grid Voltage Out of Range", (2) verify the consumer unit hasn't tripped the solar circuit, (3) call us for a remote troubleshoot or on-site diagnostic. £149 diagnostic visit, then we quote the fix.
Can I "upgrade" my FiT system to a hybrid inverter?
Carefully. A hybrid inverter swap (string inverter → hybrid like SolarEdge HD-Wave, GivEnergy Gen3) is allowed if the kW rating matches the original install. Anything that increases system kW (adding panels) DOES void FiT. We model the swap before recommending it to make sure we stay within FiT rules.
How long will FiT-era panels last?
Solar panels installed 2010–2015 are mostly Tier-1 polycrystalline or early monocrystalline silicon. Real-world degradation has averaged 0.4–0.6%/year — meaning a 2012 system at year 14 is producing 91–94% of its original output. Most systems will run another 15–20 years.
What if my original installer has gone out of business?
Common — many of the 2010–2014 era installers are gone. We become your installer of record: we register with the manufacturer warranty portals (SolarEdge, Enphase, SMA, Fronius), file warranty claims on your behalf, and provide ongoing maintenance. About 40% of our maintenance customers are in this position.
Should I sell the house WITH the solar or take it with me?
Almost always WITH. FiT contracts are tied to the property meter and don't transfer cleanly to a new install. Selling the house transfers the FiT income to the new owner — and a property with active FiT often sells for £4,000–£8,000 above otherwise-comparable houses (per Halifax 2024 survey). If you must take it, the panels themselves are worth £600–£1,200 second-hand fitted; the FiT income is worth far more.

Get your FiT system audited

Free phone consultation. We'll review your FiT contract terms, current system status, and outline the upgrade options that preserve your income. No obligation.

Book a Free Audit Call 0800 099 6606
Call us