Multi PV installation

[JamesTrike]

Hi all,
    We have a small group of people who were planning to club together to buy all their PV equipment at once (trying to get a bulk buying discount) There are 2 confirmed 3.3kw installations, a possible 6kw installation and another two possible 2.2Kw installations. So were talking £50-60K+
   However, the fits + MCS accreditation has sort of thrown plans out the window... Are we right in assuming our installations have to be done by an accredited company? Most we have contacted will not allow us to purchase the kit ourselves (even if it is MCS approved) and frankly the quoted price they give is little (if no different) to 5 individual installs.
 
  Does anyone know of installers who are willing to use the kit we buy, or just to "inspect and sign off" a new install? I'm sure Ivan would love to sell us 160 odd panels...

[Edit] Were are in south wales

[itsnewtome]

It would help if people knew where in the country you lived. I think Navitron are going to be accredited soon so perhaps they could do the whole thing.

[ecogeorge]

Hi all,
    We have a small group of people who were planning to club together to buy all their PV equipment at once (trying to get a bulk buying discount) There are 2 confirmed 3.3kw installations, a possible 6kw installation and another two possible 2.2Kw installations. So were talking £50-60K+
   However, the fits + MCS accreditation has sort of thrown plans out the window... Are we right in assuming our installations have to be done by an accredited company? Most we have contacted will not allow us to purchase the kit ourselves (even if it is MCS approved) and frankly the quoted price they give is little (if no different) to 5 individual installs.
 
  Does anyone know of installers who are willing to use the kit we buy, or just to "inspect and sign off" a new install? I'm sure Ivan would love to sell us 160 odd panels...

[Edit] Were are in south wales

Hmm , what an iteresting idea 
When are you considering purchase ? I too am looking at a .5-1kw mcs install on a budget , so am interested in the bulk purchase idea. Have seen mcs approved panels at £2.80/w not sure if plus vat though?
rgds George.

[Solar Sam]

James,

All of the installations you mentioned could be fully supplied and installed by an MCS installer for £60k including travel and accommodation.

Sam

[brackwell]

I am very interested in installing 4Kw of PV through the route of me (perhaps in the bulk buy) of supplying the panels etc and a MCS fitter so please keep us posted.

Whilst a container load of thin film panels can be bought for $1.00/W these are only 5% efficient and therefore you need a very large roof but more efficient panels can be had for less than £2 + vat if bought in bulk !

Ken

[Paulh_Boats]

James wants 17kWp of PV.  At £2 + VAT that is £34K + VAT, plus £10K+ for inverters (from Navitron). £60K seems too much for a community project where you would expect bulk savings.

I'm fairly sure Ivan has plans to organise an inspector who will approve a DIY install of Navitron panels for FITs, for a reasonable fee. Several community properties could be inspected in one day??

-Paul

[AidyB]

James wants 17kWp of PV.  At £2 + VAT that is £34K + VAT, plus £10K+ for inverters (from Navitron). £60K seems too much for a community project where you would expect bulk savings.

I'm fairly sure Ivan has plans to organise an inspector who will approve a DIY install of Navitron panels for FITs, for a reasonable fee. Several community properties could be inspected in one day??

-Paul

Not sure.  £44 + VAT @ 17.5% (because bought separately) is £51,700.  You're then asking for five separate mounting kits, five separate electrical installations, around 12 man days of roofing work , five sets of paperwork and five warranties.  Plus allowing people to make a margin.  That would seem to come to around £60k even if the panels are supplied by Navitron (or equivalent)

The reason for MCS installers not wanting to work with your own panels is that (a) they might not have the correct mounting systems in stock (b) they make less money (c) They carry more risk as they're warrantying something they're not used to.  The main one of these is (b) at a time when he industry is rammed and most people have a full book of work.

The 'bulk buy' you're considering is also not really 'bulk' when compared to companies buying megawatts a year, so I think you'll find a fair few MCS installers willing to take the whole thing on for your price bracket including supply of the panels (be they navitron Yingli's or equivalent).

Cheers,
Aidan