Battery Adding battery storage, MCS scheme membership requirement?

[timhoward]

What I'm wondering, philosophically, is if I leave a customers MCS certified grid-tied system completely alone, and add a 2nd inverter for battery charging (AC coupled), is there any requirement for the work to be done by someone in the MCS scam?
My understanding is that the only thing ultimately requiring MCS membership is to sign off a setup where a feed-in-tariff will apply, but I could be wrong about that.
I'm not planning on making this a regular activity, more wondering if I'm allowed to do this as a one-off for a single long-standing customer.
They are more interested in using generated electricity at night than off-grid running.
I'll be grateful for any words of wisdom from those in the know.

 

[plugsandsparks]

I am not MCS and there is no mandatory requirement to be in MCS, i looked at it once and as Solar was never going to be my only service, the cost was simply too high. The only time MCS enters the equation is in an export situation, previously with FIT and now with export metering from energy co. I would imagine installing batteries would affect the export currently being enjoyed so heads up on that one. Your situation with a client who you have a relationship with is exactly what i had and i installed batteries systems from Sonnen.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

If you fit AC coupled to an exisiting system then no issue.
With the early FiT you had the deemed usage etc and got paid i think 50% of what you generated.
With the AC coupled battery go for it. if you want a real simple out the box solution then have a look at the alpha ess smile b3 plus as its good if you are not in deep with battery.
I recently went MCS registered, solar is booming. got several installs between now and august.

 

[Aaron b]

Glad you asked this as I was wondering the same. I plan on doing some training but I don't want to do large installs, so it's not worth £700 a year.

 

[timhoward]

Glad you asked this as I was wondering the same. I plan on doing some training but I don't want to do large installs, so it's not worth £700 a year.

The project management aspect of arranging scaffolding and the high value of the materials certainly makes these jobs a rather daunting proposition for smaller sole traders.
I'm thinking of sticking some panels on my own (pitched) garage roof as a bit of an experiment to see how I get on with it.

 

[littlespark]

If you fit AC coupled to an exisiting system then no issue.
With the early FiT you had the deemed usage etc and got paid i think 50% of what you generated.
With the AC coupled battery go for it. if you want a real simple out the box solution then have a look at the alpha ess smile b3 plus as its good if you are not in deep with battery.
I recently went MCS registered, solar is booming. got several installs between now and august.

I’m looking into that AlpheESS system for myself.
I like on the website when it says “Lego style modular”
I can work with that.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

The project management aspect of arranging scaffolding and the high value of the materials certainly makes these jobs a rather daunting proposition for smaller sole traders.
I'm thinking of sticking some panels on my own (pitched) garage roof as a bit of an experiment to see how I get on with it.

Certainly is a barrier. and can affect cash flow. especially as whilst you pay out the vat the customer doesnt get charged it on solar jobs, so can wait 3 months to get it back.
More than half my work is solar pv now.
Materials wise though if MCS then you can take 25% deposit which is protected by insurance policy and then a staged payment upto 60% i think it is from memory. if not MCS then nothign stopping you taking deposit for full cost of materials.
Suppliers will happily give you credit for this stuff mind. My credit limit in suppliers has quadrupled this year as my turnover is increasing significantly.

 

[pc1966]

I like on the website when it says “Lego style modular”

Probably hurts as much if you stand on it during a night time bathroom visit...