setting up a solar pv company

davetherave1979 · Oct 18, 2011

Hi every one i have had my electrical company for 12years now we have loads of work through recomendation and im thinking about setting up a solar only company I now I will have to do the courses apart from these what cost with gear will I need to pay out to start ie testers not stock and also is there much work out there or should I stay doing what im doing at the moment I see solar instals going on all the time im about but does the avaerge joe public have £10,000.00 to be paying out on these type of things i now elec bills are going up all the time but we are also in a resestion were people dont have any money. Do you guys adverties to get the work in and how do you do this also I hear that the feed in tarfi is gutting cut next year will less people have them installed thanks for all your help Dave

cbw · Oct 18, 2011

DONT DO IT DONT DO IT DONT DO IT ETC.

Sorry, I am just recovering from the financial, personal and mental ruin that is MCS...............

I have crippled my small but very successful electrical contracting business but have finally jumped through all the hoops.

Now I am trying to learn all about it! Its like passing the driving test, far more to it than I ever thought!

Good luck!

At this exact moment in time, with hindsight I wish I hadnt done it!!!! However ask me again in 2 months time??????????

powervan · Oct 18, 2011

OK we are family elec contractors (25)yrs see pv being installed on a couple of new jobs we were doing!the company was charging LOADS!we run cable up to loft for them ! they turn up ! all done in a day ! we thought we must be mugs ! well dont be fooled!! install easy part !! the office stuff MCS (even with easy mcs) is a learning curve! if they drop FITT by the amount everybody saying then its a NO NO!costs u incurr ie more testers! more INSURANCE (it rockets) getting a good structual engineer (at fair price) getting a good supplier(ie all kit turns up for the job without stuff missing) your supplier spec the right inverta for your system(u cant rely on them) though u suss it after a couple of installs! which supply authority wants what!! ITS A MINEFIELD!! THE ONLY LIGHT AT END OF TUNNEL IS SENIOR MEMBERS ON HERE WHO GO OUT OF THERE WAY TO HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! so in short (if u like a challange) CRACK ON!! if u do u will have one VERY organised OFFICE

lol

cbw · Oct 18, 2011

I must say I have had quite a bit of help from the guys on here!!! (THANKYOU)

davetherave1979 · Oct 19, 2011

thanks sofar guys

mark_ · Oct 19, 2011

I must say (as a company) we are in a very similar position. We are mainly domestic contractors with a growing commercial intent but we keep being asked by builders about PV. I even went on the LOGIC installer course but we haven't taken it any further as yet. I thought the course was terrible and I keep looking for cast iron good design and installation information but I just cant see that its out there. I realise that lots of electrical procedures are open to interpretation of the regs but PV seems a lot worse. There doesn't seem to be the definitive guides and regulations out there. Often you ask a question to a "lecturer" or the NICEIC and they just dont seem to have the answer. Im trying to read all the posts on this forum I can to try to pick up some help. I really dont think its going to be the savior to the electrical industry everyone was hoping for as the market seems saturated, but then on the other hand we dont want to be left behind!

Noshocks · Oct 20, 2011

I would advise waiting until after the spending review to see what FIT rate we will will be left with, we registered at the beggining so have had a good run, however i certainly wouldent spend the large up front costs for MCS at present until the prospects are clear for the industry.

Markc · Oct 20, 2011

I have to agree with Noshocks here. With the uncertainty of the FIT it is very difficult to build a business plan. With the over than average up take of jobs I know we have won due to this uncertainty this just make maters worse as it give a rose tinted outlook on work load and returns. Make the balance sheet top heavy!

If I was looking at it now I would wait to see what the FIT will be for 2012 and further if possible. (My big fear is the FIT will be reviewed every year form now on also). Trying to formulate a business plan on one year at a time is almost impossible. Try taking a one year plan into the bank and you will see what I mean.

The expenditure even for a long therm established business was vast (even ours being over 40yr established) Its not just MCS and a few training days. Excluding our labour for two of us to set up we spent in excess of £10K and are still spending. Specialist tools, testers, meters, tools, ladders, winter clothing, storage, stationary, website, advertising, transport, survey time, paper work time are just a few. Not knowing what return might be achieved in 2012 it make for a big gamble.

If I were you hold fire until hopefully end December or January once the FIT is given. Then if the price is right go for it. If not sit back and think about all us guys who's spent all this money on an industry that's dead in the water. I'll be back to contracting and we will have equipment on ebay by the end of March I'm sure!

davetherave1979 · Oct 20, 2011

Great help so far

cbw · Oct 20, 2011

Rumors in the financial times that it could be reduced to 9p / unit!

Save your money and stress!

RWJ · Oct 20, 2011

cbw said:
Rumors in the financial times that it could be reduced to 9p / unit!

Save your money and stress!

Or pass the work on to a mate (ie CBW)!!!

powervan · Oct 22, 2011

as previous WAIT WATCH LISTEN best way to learn is on here!! senior members wealth of knowledge !! the courses out there at mo seem rushed and after one thing MONEY! but if youve been in building game few years no whats needed and where u wont have probs!though mcs/paperwork more than i ever exspected!!ps dont be affraid to post on here as (u will be treated gently)