Green "Deal or no Deal"?

[rs250250]

I am an experienced electrical contractor, ECS/Napit registered and I am looking to diversify. I am based in London and work is ok, not like a few years ago, but still comfortable. Just spent a few enlightening minutes on the PV thread for the very first time I have a question.

I can see there are many experienced PV installers out there (posting some very interesting threads and valuable information) but what do you guys think of the green deal? I have researched it in depth and I am now even more confused after yet another round of cuts to the FiT's.

Bottom line, do you see green deal as another government faux pas, or do you see it actually working? Will it benefit you guys when it finally gets underway?

I am just about to take the plunge with my Solar PV installers course C+G 2399-11 and would love to get your thoughts on the matter

Best Regards

 

[Earthstore]

Type in "Green Deal Vote" in the search box(top right) that may give you an idea..

 

[SRE]

and see if you can get your money back off your solar course, cos the chances of making it back via sales is neglible.

The only way we're generating sales at the minute is from recommendations from previous customers, unfortunately you're not going to have that, even the lead generators are failing miserably at the minute. There are many, many threads on this forum about the lack of work this year. The average is something like 1 job per month per installation company but this is skewed significantly by the rent a roof mob who are allegedly installing between 50 - 70% so one every other month is probably nearer the mark.

 

[dansk]

My view on the green deal is its another money making scam for the big firms and government, the real winners are training companys and massive companys, for the smaller guys i dont see anyone benefiting. I for one wont be getting involved in anything that relys on goverment subsidys and ideas after getting the rug pulled from under my feet with Solar, i was fortunate and made my return, but its now left a gaping hole in my business for this year.

My advice to you would be do your solar course as its another service you can offer, dont bank on it and had you felt the effects of the FIT fiasco you would certainly see all this in a different light.

 

[sedgy34]

Solar installs are pretty grim out there, not many happening and the rentaroof guys have killed it along with the FIT drop and more to follow people wont take it up cause the perception of solar panels is that its not worth bothering with now!!

I say it is worth bothering with as i have myself a 4kw system on my roof and a nice £500 due to me in 30days yippeee

 

[solarsavings]

This government has decimated the PV industry and is about to do the same to on shore wind. GB has refused to release details of the meetings DECC had with the big six about the green deal. Now the government wants to prevent us adopting the eu rules on energy efficiency running along side that is the belief that shale gas will meet our needs for the next several hundred years(despite the risks) The green deal is stuffed before it even starts.

 

[babba]

Their trying to kill us, Pv installs down 90% and they cut the fits again in august going on the amount of installs, if thats the case why cut in august. Where else would you need to change your web site, paperwork ect every couple of months to keep up the fools who run the game show.

 

[rs250250]

Thank you guys, really valuable to get firsthand "real world" feedback from the guys already doing the work.

My advice to you would be do your solar course as its another service you can offer, dont bank on it and had you felt the effects of the FIT fiasco you would certainly see all this in a different light.

I do think I will do the solar course, to be able to offer the service should I need to. Guess I will be mindful of supplementing my work, rather than eggs all in the same basket.

Seems to me the "rent a roof" guys have killed this as much as the government. I am of the belief that the Green Deal can work, providing SME's are represented properly.

I know the likes of John Lewis, tesco and B&Q etc are looking to become Green Deal Providers, but customers still want to be able to choose, and not all of them will want to deal with a big faceless corporation!

 

[SRE]

I think you're missing the point, whether it's Joe Blogs down the road or Tesco, if you can't give the measures away for free now (and the insulation industry and part of the heating industry having been trying to do that for many years) then who is going to take up the measures and re-pay them through loans attached to the house? If you have a quick search you'll see there are loads of threads on the same subject with some really good examples.

We're all desperate for Green Deal to work but the few who do think it will work don't seem to have much of a background in the field and don't necessarily understand all the associated issues with Green Deal. Unless there are some very radical changes to the scheme ie interest free credit, then as your title suggests there will be no deal!

Of course government could introduce a big stick to make it work - ie council tax banding linked to EPC banding .... another poll tax moment?????

 

[babba]

Dont forget the courses to pay for the green deal etc, whatever they may cost ?
If you want to dip your toe find someone to subcontract the work out to and see for yourself how buoyant the market place is.
We have the pre 1 August rush on at the moment and it o so quiet after the 1 of august if the green deal does not work were doomed.

 

[rs250250]

Was just going to ask the question "Do you guys expect a deluge pre August 1st" ?

You read my mind!

Dont forget the courses to pay for the green deal etc, whatever they may cost ?
If you want to dip your toe find someone to subcontract the work out to and see for yourself how buoyant the market place is.
We have the pre 1 August rush on at the moment and it o so quiet after the 1 of august if the green deal does not work were doomed.

 

[babba]

Going on 12 dec, 3 march deadlines things got busy it was mental in december march was quieter and august 1 has not come or has it as it was meant to be july, now im confused but as things go on work is drying up, prices can only go so low and with around 4500 MCS installers quality is going with it as people want silly systems for silly money. Your about one and a half years to late.

 

[sedgy34]

Agreed too late most have cashed in and started something else, us installers in it for long haul are picking up the pieces

 

[Glos-Solar]

rs250250: You are a politician?, not an electrician?

 

[Energetic]

No Rush here, a few equiries trickling in from previous customers recommendations and that is all despite much advertising.