What to expect
When starting your application for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) bear in mind that each heating installation can be different and as the administrators of the scheme we are responsible for public money. All of this means you need to be prepared for a degree of complexity, a number of technical questions and the need to provide evidence. Queries are a normal part of the process on both sides - you may need assistance with some of our questions and we may request additional information.
Help is at hand – we provide guide documents to help you through every stage of making your application and our enquiries staff are experts on the RHI and will do all they can to advise you.
Before you start
Before you do anything, please download the guides below and then read the rest of this page. The guides are essential documents that will help make completing your application much easier and it will be difficult to progress without them. You’ll refer to them constantly as they show you exactly what to do, and crucially, what information and documents you need to gather in advance to be able to complete the application.
We know there are quite a few guides but each is designed to help you with a different part of the process:
These guides are also downloadable from the table at the bottom of this page.
Steps when making an application
1. Gather all the information and documents required
You’ll find everything you need to gather in advance to be able to complete the application form in three of the guide documents we recommended you download near the top of the page. Look for:
These will help you prepare responses to all the questions prior to starting the application.
2. Create an account on the RHI Register
To be able to access the RHI Register to complete the application form you first have to create a user account. To do this you need to be the Authorised Signatory for your organisation. This means that you’re either the owner or authorised representative of the company.
The guide document you use from the download list at the top of the page to help you create a user account on the RHI Register is the: Guide to Using the RHI Register specifically the sections Accessing the RHI Register on pages 7-18 and Account Management on pages 19 – 22.
Click here for the RHI Register.
3. Complete the application form
When you’ve gathered all the information and documents you require and prepared your responses, you can begin the application form. It’s accessed from the RHI Register - look for the tab named Accreditation. The Guide to Using the RHI Register, specifically the section, Applying for Accreditation, on pages 23-33 gives you screenshots and step-by-step instructions for what to do.
The IT system allows you to save what you’ve completed and come back to it later.
The form is made up of several sections:
- General questions
- Questions about the installation from which we can deduce its eligibility for the scheme
- Questions specific to the technology of your installation (biomass, solar thermal, heat pumps, biogas).
4. Uploading documents as evidence on the RHI Register
When you have completed the questions in the online application form, you will be directed to the document upload section of the application form. For information on what to do next please see pages 30-31 in the Guide to Using the RHI Register for screenshots and instructions. You can also watch our short video on YouTube: Uploading a document to the RHI Register.
All of the documents that we require as evidence must be uploaded to RHI Register and in PDF format. If you are unable to create pdf files on your computer, you should be able to convert your file to a pdf by following the instructions in your editing software (Microsoft Word, Apple Pages etc). The following video gives an example of how to convert Word, Excel and PowerPoint files into a pdf file:
Video: Convert Word, Excel, or PowerPoint Files to PDF
Some of the required documents must be uploaded by all applicants while others are application specific.
We require everyone to upload these documents:
- Commissioning certificate or commissioning report for the installation.
- Schematic diagram of the installation - see example diagrams in Appendix 1 of RHI Volume 1.
- Photo of meter(s), both calculator(s) and flow meter(s), clearly showing the serial number and MID/Class 2 markings.
- Letter of authorisation that confirms your organisation’s Authorised Signatory for its RHI account. Click on the link for information and templates you can use.
- Evidence of non-single domestic status such as multiple council tax bills or a business rates bill.
- Independent Report on Metering Arrangements if your installation has a capacity of 1MW or above, or is classed as complex for RHI metering purposes. Click on the link for a pack which provides information, a template and instructions on how to complete the report OR if your installation is 45kW or below we require an MCS certificate or equivalent certificate.
- Evidence of Coefficient of Performance COP (Technical)
- Photo of the nameplate of the installation clearly showing the capacity and serial number.
The upload of these documents are application specific:
- Technical specification for biomass, heat pump and solar thermal applications (for example evidence that demonstrates that the boiler meets the solid biomass as ‘primary fuel source’ requirement).
- Information about grants – see Grants Guide Note
One final thing – ID and Bank Details form
As part of your application we need to verify your identity and bank details. These are not uploaded using the RHI register but must be posted to us. Click on the link ID and Bank Details which will take you to a form which explains exactly what information you should send us together with address details.
For biomethane producers
Biomethane producers are treated differently to other participants in the RHI. This is because the Government has decided that the regulations and standards currently in place for biomethane injection are sufficient to ensure that the RHI requirements are met, so no further RHI-specific accreditation standards are necessary. As a result the Regulations describe the process for biomethane producers as ‘registration’ rather than ‘accreditation’.
For more information about registration requirements for biomethane producers see RHI Guidance Volume 1, chapter 8. Also see our Biomethane presentation which outlines information and documents required for biomethane registration.
Contact details
Should you not find the information you’re looking for on the website or in the guide material please contact us:
- By telephone: 0845 200 2122 (RHI enquiry line open Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm and to 4.30pm on Fridays).
- By email: rhi.enquiry@ofgem.gov.uk
Note: Calls may be recorded.