new to solar not to being an electrician

[NJTelectesting]

Hello all. I became an electrician 17 years ago when as an apprentice you were really pushed through college and did 5 years in total. I've worked all over the country on big installations for petrol companies as well as some other major names. I set myself up 4 years ago and have been doing well keeping my rates down and doing a good job. I haven't done a five day part p course or just thought one day " oh I'll be a spark". I have worked hard to get where i am and class myself as very competent and experienced. I have now decided that there is a future in solar and paid my

 

[Robin Spark]

Hi NJT, welcome to the forum mate.

 

[steptoe]

welcome NJT

it is hard out there,

its all down to how much time you are willing to invest in the solar stuff IMO,

but, dont get into the bidding war with the horsebacked gentlemen and always sell yourself(and the kit) honestly and you should be able to ADD it to your normal stuff as a decent enough other earner,

unless you are willing to put a LOT of effort in then it may be hard to have it as your stable income.

 

[batty]

Welcome to the forum can't really advise on solar as i have not done any but many other members will help on this for you i hope.

 

[Doc Hudson]

Welcome to the forum.

Doc H.

 

[philbas]

My opinion, you may not like it

Solar PV is the new double glazing, mobile phone etc.

At the moment it is attracting all the "Experienced salesmen" who will lie about everything in order to get a sale and the commision on the stupid prices their company charges in order to pay that commision.

If your a salesman and dont mind ripping people off then yes its a good thing to get into for the next year or two before you move onto the next thing to lie about.

If on the other had your an honest hard working person (which I think from your post youe are) I really dont know.

Like double glazing, the salesman and the company take all the profits, and the guy or Gal that does the work gets payed peanuts.

And at the moment it's going to be hard to compete with the companies that have the buying power.

Just my cynical view, please feel to debate, I know that Steps and others may have different views.

However I do think if you offer a good service at a good price there is a future in it.

Edit: and while i was typeing every one else posted, and welocome to the forum

 

[NJTelectesting]

Thank you all for the welcome and good advice. Means a lot. I have just booked my course and gonna give it a go. Its mostly on the basis that I know in ten years time it will be affordable for everyone and let's face it, the government wlll make sure it is because they need everyone to reduce the carbon footprint. To help others in my position I will keep updating the thread with my progress from the course through the mcs etc. Anyway in the mean time I'm off to earn some money the old fashioned way.

 

[kme]

the government wlll make sure it is because they need everyone to reduce the carbon footprint.

Ooh - debatable.

The money the government gets from the energy companies (taxes) is huge - we`ll have financial problems if they have to pay everyone who`s got solar panels, but don`t get anything back in..........

Please do update us on how you get on - could make for informative reading.

 

[NJTelectesting]

It is debatable . I am in a fortunate position I suppose because due to my circumstances I am not totally dependant on the money I make from the solar ( if any). It will be an investment of 800 for the course but I will see what sort of return I get from it. I will keep updating as to the progress.

 

[steptoe]

NJT

I may well be close by you,

how about a pint sometime?

 

[jvsolar]

Would have to agree with Philbas. Which magazine did a report recently which showed that 8 out of the 10 companies investigated mis-sold PV systems by either giving incorrect/incomplete information or going for the old double glazing approach of "I'll ring my boss....this offer only stands for the next 15 minutes..."

The number of MCS accredited companies has grown at a incredible rate over the past 12 months - I suspect it will also fall at an incredible rate.

 

[kme]

Aye - once the FITS drops to the lower band come April - there`ll be a vacuum that sucks up the "fast-buck" companies, and probably takes some established businesses down too

 

[binky]

Thought watchdog was interesting last night - it emphasised that customers shouldn't use 'middle-man' companies and look for REAL and MCS registration.

 

[steptoe]

Its an insurance (assurance) scheme,

Google it,

Being a member is requirement for metalwork in order for FITs to apply.

There may be other equivalent schemes, i dont know.

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 22:39 ---------- Previous post was made at 22:38 ----------

Bloody phone,

Metalwork = installers

 

[binky]

No only schemes that apply are REAL and MCS - you have to have both, though MCS can be through one of several bodies, like the NICEIC.

---------- Post Auto-Merged at 16:23 ---------- Previous post was made at 16:20 ----------

It will be an investment of 800 for the course .....

Plus advertising, plus test gear, plus MC4 crimpers, Plus MC3 insertion tool, plus van, plus website, plus accreditation, plus REAL membership, plus whatever tools you are missing -

 

[NJTelectesting]

Hello all. Well I eventually booked the course. It's day 4 tomorrow. I think it's very early to say but I still can't see any reason why solar can't be massive. Like the part p there is a massive amount of paperwork but even if they scrap the feed in tariffs (which I don't think they will ) it will be worth doing. It's not something to go into lightly. If you want to make it work you need to look at the marketing, the customers you will be aiming at, getting your name out there etc. I will keep you posted on how it's going once the course finishes but all going well to date