New Installation & RHI/FiT eligability

[WhitePJ]

  Hi all.

This is possibly a really stupid question, so apologies, but I could do with clarifying one point.

I would like a new solar installation. Possibly solar heat, possibly PV - undecided at the moment.
However, I have a lot of other financial commitments at the moment (haven't we all?) - and I need to keep expenses to a minimum.
I consider myself reasonably competent in DIY (I've been 'playing' with 240v since I was about 12), and try to do as much work myself as possible. However, all the solar systems I investigate seem to come as a complete packaged deal - and the RHI/FiT forms need the work to be done by an approved installer.

Question: Is it possible for me to source my own panels, and do a substantial degree of preparatory work, and then get an approved installer to 'certify' it, as I can with the electrical wiring? Or, do I have to get someone else to do the whole lot?

Many thanks

Phil

[GavinA]

doubt any installers will have the time to certify other peoples work before the upcoming FIT deadline if the thread in the PV section is correct.

[Justme]

Also all the parts you source will be at 20% VAT but if sourced & fitted they would be at 5%VAT.

[Ivan]

The installer should supply and fit the installation in order to qualify for FITs. He may sub-contract the installation work to you, but only if you have the required insurance, qualifications etc that is required by MCS.

The VAT saving is considerable, as the majority of the cost is the components. Therefore the VAT saving on a professionally-installed system could be equivalent to 75% of the 'labour' element of the installation - making it quite uneconomical to DIY, as Justme points out.

[WhitePJ]

Just an update - if anyone is interested.
I sent out a whole batch of emails to just about every local supplier that was registered.
I received 2 replies - both of whom were electricians.
1 was prepared to work with me, to ensure that the installation was done properly.
Due to time contraints and the impending deadline (being rather slow at DIY), I ended up with the other.
Work was completed over a week ago now, and I'm already registered with British Gas for FiT.
Top marks to BG for doing everything via email.