Who Are Our Resident Green Energy / Solar Experts?

[Dan]

Just wondering who our resident solar experts are.

 

[Leesparkykent]

@Worcester, @whinmoor, @Gavin A, @solarsavings, @SibertSolar, @The Solar King @TedM to name a few.

 

[Dan]

Ta.

 

[Dan]

^^^^^ oh look, a way to thank!

 

[UKMeterman]

I do have an MSc in Electronic Technology for Sustainable Energy

 

[Worcester]

i'll own up to knowing a bit

Haven;t worked out how to put signature back into the new forum yet
We do Solar PV, Solar Thermal, MVHR, Underfloor Heating, Wifi Controls, Air Source Heat Pumps, Ground (River, and Lake) Source heat Pumps and Biomass.

Interestingly enough we are actually busy on all fronts and recruiting..

Perhaps because there are less than 1900 PV installers now

 

[Energetic]

Can't claim to be an expert in all the technologies but have been exclusively in solar since 2010.

 

[SolarCity]

I like to think I'm an expert in PV. Although that hasn't stopped the MCS demanding I spend £300 on a refresher course to prove it.....

 

[Energetic]

What happened to the experienced worker route? Used to be able to provide a portfolio of work...

 

[The Solar King]

We are still here learing more every day. Reasonably busy sorting out the cockups of others. Best recently was the £5k plus compensation I got for a client who had sensibly paid with his credit card, and was therefore covered by the Consumer Credit Act. System underperformed (wrong inverter settings) plus gross misrepresentation in original proposal and contract.

 

[The Solar King]

I like to think I'm an expert in PV. Although that hasn't stopped the MCS demanding I spend £300 on a refresher course to prove it.....

Would certainly challenge them on that. Chances are you know more than your assessor! Who are you with?
Is this a Green Lounge conversation?

 

[SolarCity]

We did challenge it. They simply quoted the MCS requirement at me and it was basically liked it or leave it.

We seriously flirted with the idea of leave it.

Wouldn't it be good if our MCS visit spent more time on site like or NICEIC inspector does so I can actually demonstrate that I know what I'm doing and talking about?

 

[1Justin]

I've done my bit with PV surveys, PV design and sourcing for mostly domestic installs, PV software, MCS paperwork (mountains of it).
I also maintain my own solar thermal system on a personal level.
Designed and fitted some MVHR installations, done some Immersuns, wired an ASHP, fitted 3G doors and windows, done remedial internal insulation. A Masters degree in Electrical & electronic engineering.
I never personally held MCS, and undecided whether there are still worthwhile specialist/MCS opportunities for a 1-man band. Ongoing overheads (thank you for confirming that @SolarCity) rather put me off, despite a deep-seated bent in that direction. I still push "green" agenda as hard as I can to my domestic electrical customers, but much of my work remains rather more mundane since people, by and large, still don't get it.

 

[Gavin A]

what mcs requirement is this?

They would seem to be ignoring the 5 years relevant experience rule that automatically qualifies someone without any need for courses IIRC.

 

[SolarCity]

This is the quoted NCR:

"2 1 MCS 001 (17) C. Hammond`s SPV certificate expired Jan 2016,
evidence of competency needed.
Agreed corrective action Company to evidence via email"

Has no one else been asked to do this? I'm really ----ed off with it.