The future of Commercial / Utility PV installs in 2015?

[jason121]

PV doesn't stop for the weather. Gavin A was installing panels in high winds. Start ringing round now. Start with Lark energy, EVO energy and Energy my Way, these are national companies .

 

[Worcester]

I think I'll wait a month for the weather to clear up

When you see an opportunity grab it by both hands. Rule #1 , make a decision, Rule #2 Make that decision right. i.e do whatever is necessary to make it be the right one.

If you are going to do something "someday" try to find that date in your diary; mine doesn't have that date. If you delay a month and the snow comes, you'll just delay another month, and then it'll be the kids' birthdays so you won't want to be working away that month, and then your mum will not be well, and then..............


If you delay a month you'll be back in this thread asking if its picking up yet .........

As for the weather: we were installing commercial PV on roofs in January 2013, - had to wait some mornings till 8:30 am (usual start 7:15) as the ice hadn't melted, three pairs of gloves, thermals, plenty of hot chocolate ... Next thing you won't want to be working if it's raining... ( -6°C and snowing most days ...)

 

[Rohan]

I'm a softy southerner. I spend as much time as I can in warmer climates surfing. 3 pairs of gloves!!!! haha i'm joking. Yer you're right I best get on and see what's available! Cheers

 

[Gavin A]

PV doesn't stop for the weather. Gavin A was installing panels in high winds. Start ringing round now. Start with Lark energy, EVO energy and Energy my Way, these are national companies .

I was trying to finish the install before the high winds hit, to be more accurate.

but yes we have once had to dig a foot of snow off the roof to clear it for PV installation in one of those made FIT cut rush periods.

 

[Worcester]

I'm a softy southerner. I spend as much time as I can in warmer climates surfing. 3 pairs of gloves!!!! haha i'm joking. Yer you're right I best get on and see what's available! Cheers

Ah sorry, just noticed you are in Cornwall - have you got your passport and injections if you're planning to venture out :welcome:

GavinA do we let them out now they've filled their plot with Wind Turbines and Solar Farms? :81:

 

[Rohan]

Ah sorry, just noticed you are in Cornwall - have you got your passport and injections if you're planning to venture out :welcome:

GavinA do we let them out now they've filled their plot with Wind Turbines and Solar Farms? :81:

I 'd like to get over the bridge but in worried my friends and family won't accept me when I return :-/
You guys ever thought about getting into turbines? I've had a few chances to train/work as a Turbibe Technician but it's always employment and contract work suits me much better than that.

 

[dansk]

It's crossed my mind about turbines but I couldn't be bothered working in a windy location stuck in the middle of nowhere caked in mud.

 

[SibertSolar]

http://www.pv-tech.org/mobile/news/...d_start_in_uk_commercial_rooftop_solar_market

 

[Rohan]

Developers attempt head-start in UK commercial rooftop solar market | PV-Tech

Thanks Sibert. That's pretty much exactly what I thought hey. Farms will drop off , large scale roof mount will pick up. I'm going to try and get on with one of the installers doing the big commercial rooftop installs, not really interested in residential.

Again, any contacts would be greatly appreciated

 

[whlphil]

So thought I'd add my 2p,

What I see happening is, Large scale ground mounts will continue albeit as Ted says not so many of them.

A lot of the large scale ground guys are already moving into the 5MW and below area, main problem this will bring is rapid degression in the sub 5MW tariffs. The degression level is already close to the automatic 3.5% on a quarterly basis so I would be very surprised if we don't end up with a 3.5% in Q2 (following the Q1 April drop) and maybe even a 7% in Q3 and another 3.5 or 7% in Q4.

I know how much large roof were looking at and some of that will take up half a quarters deployment just from us.

With those sorts of degression the rooftop market will maybe get the edge taken off it but it won't stop it as the returns will still be good. However I think the 5MW ground market will get rapidly killed off I think if you've not done those before the end of this year it'll be too late.

Although the large scale will most likely pick up again in 2017/18 when CfD's start to take effect if the panel price continues to fall.

Mid scale commercial (50-250kW) has a bright future as returns at the moment are really good. I don't see that market changing much for 12-18 months

However, theres a FiT review that will be announced by the new government (whoever wins) in the autumn and that could spell bad news as I'm hearing rumours that treasury are wanting drastically cut the support.

Only positive is that the ROC's for rooftop is much harder to cut and should be ok for another two years.

On the more positive side, hopefully MIP pricing will be removed at the end of the year which would be a real boon and see pricing on panel drop into the mid 30p's range at that level the returns on a fully consumed onsite PV system should be getting close to standing on their own feet with tariff, we just need the Saudi's to stop keeping oil low and the Russians to cut off gas to Ukraine elec prices will bounce back again and make things easier to justify that prices will continue to rise.