I, like many others, have entered into contracts with the Malta Resources Authority (MRA) and an approved photovoltaic (PV) supplier, for the provision and installation of a domestic PV system at my home. Part of the cost was financed by the MRA through an EU aid programme to, amongst other things, encourage the use of alternative energy thus helping reduce carbon emissions.

Not known to me, since the commissioning of the system some three years ago the MRA has been monitoring its performance to ensure it is functioning satisfactorily within the agreed and guaranteed limits stipulated by the supplier. As a result, about a month ago I was informed by the MRA that my system has been consistently and considerably underperforming and not generating the contracted amount of electricity. They suggested that I contact the supplier to investigate.

I was rather surprised, albeit very grateful, that the MRA has been monitoring the performance of all these PV systems.

However, when I first contacted my supplier, their first reaction was rather curt and casual; the system is performing adequately and within limits. Upon my insistence, following numerous telephone calls and written complaints, they agreed to send an engineer over to test the system.

As expected, and rightly indicated by the MRA, the system was in fact very faulty and needed a complete replacement of the ‘inverter’ to rectify. Which, I have been told, is very costly. Luckily for me it is still under guarantee.

The aim of this letter is first and foremost to register appreciation to the engineers at the MRA who are conducting this monitoring service. And, secondly, to alert other lay users like me to have their systems checked to ensure their optimum performance.