Kit prices

[SolarCity]

Sounds like an interesting idea. I can see supply being a big issue, especially Jan-March, so it could really help.

 

[SRE]

Solar co-op - interesting idea. Is it do-able in such a short time?

 

[Worcester]

Possibly,

a) One of my clients is a small co-operative organisation (1000 members), and they know how to set them up
b) In a past life I dealt extensively with 'buying groups', so the skillset is available

downside

The 'co-op' would have to raise money from it's members to carry the stock

I'll float it with ny client next week.

 

[solarsavings]

Time for an indepedent installers buyers co-operative!

Run by Installers for installers..

Same way all the independent newsagents, stationary companies etc do.

Gaurantyeed supplies of an agreed range of inverters, mounting systems and panels, at a price that covers costs and any profits paid back to the members at the end of the year, so that even if you could get it £10 cheaper elesewhere, it's not worth it because of security of supply and pay back of profits.

Thoughts?

A few of us around here do something similar to that already for inverters, isolators, cable, gen meters, labels but it falls down on mounting systems and some modules as we prefer different systems.

 

[Noddy67]

It's a cash dribble too. Not sure about the absolute figure I've spent but it just keeps going on. When you've completed the course, there's the MCS time, the equipment costs, stock, dc/irradiance meter etc etc. and when you complete MCS and get to the real world is what I'm still surprised at. Websies can cost a couple of hundred quid but look it. Needs to be done properlty. Leaflets, marketing generally, sales specifically. I've just sprung £600 for a leica measuring device as too many jobs couldnt' be measured from the ground accurately enough.


I know it will be OK in the end as I've done 15 jobs now... but if it all grinds to a halt in april I'll be a few quid up and a whole load of time wasted.