MCS inspection

[SolarCity]

Believe it or not, we've got our first inspection coming up since November 2010.

We expect a few NCs but nothing too serious - and all of them on the paperwork side.

 

[infinity]

How have you got away with not having one since then?

 

[SolarCity]

Absolutely no idea.

Interestingly, we haven't had an NICEIC inspection since summer 2010 and we're having one of those a couple of weeks after.

To be honest, whereas I used to find them interesting, I know find them a nuisance.

 

[SolarCity]

Okay, had the inspection. A few bull**** non-compliances (spreadsheets with a list of wholesalers on it anyone?) but nothing that an hour of ****ing about won't put right.

I pushed the PV*Sol Expert method of quoting right from the outset. We didn't get a NC for using it - but then I did take him to a site where we surveyed prior to the new MCS guide coming in.

 

[SolarCity]

eta He strongly defended the MCS method. He pointed out that the MCS cannot expect other firms to spend money on PV*Sol Expert so it can't be considered.

So basically, it is too costly to expect others to use the software so NO installers can use it. Which is frankly a load of skinsacks. If we have a method that is demonstrably better than the method other installers use then why shouldn't we use this for a commercial advantage?

 

[solarsavings]

Nice one. So not as bad as you thought it would be is always good.

He pointed out that the MCS cannot expect other firms to spend money on PV*Sol Expert

Perhaps they know how difficult it is to get hold of them:32:

 

[whinmoor]

eta He strongly defended the MCS method. He pointed out that the MCS cannot expect other firms to spend money on PV*Sol Expert so it can't be considered.

So basically, it is too costly to expect others to use the software so NO installers can use it. Which is frankly a load of skinsacks. If we have a method that is demonstrably better than the method other installers use then why shouldn't we use this for a commercial advantage?

Well done for not lamping him !

 

[John Allen]

We have our inspection on the 25th November. We do have a list of suppliers as it was a nc from our last inspection. Other than the shading assessment were there any other curve balls?

 

[The Solar King]

If you use something like Sage accountancy software, all your suppliers are normally in there anyway. We just point our assessor in the direction of Sage, at which point he looses the will to live.

 

[SolarCity]

No real curve balls. The guy was pretty fair to be honest. It won't take much to put the things right - although as we pointed out, this is purely to get us through the audit and is no more than extra paperwork for us.

The QMS document is the biggest time waster I've encountered since I starting running my business 17 years ago. By some margin too.