Daisy chain inverters?

[TedM]

Assuming this has been done under G83 and if this is all on one phase then the DNO could turn up anytime and disconnect it all. Goodbye FiTs.

Were you able to get a copy of any G83 paperwork from the owner?

 

[edexlab]

I'm waiting for it still, they're old fashioned and are getting a friend to come and scan docs to send to me.

 

[edexlab]

Well I've just received the promised paperwork, consisting of 3 MCS certs and the original copy of the salesmans sign up form stating a 9.8 kw system and no other details,

I'm going to a job nearby later and plan to visit them as surely they must have more documentation than this? but they are sure this is all they've had?

2nd rough job /badly planned/installed I've seen in 2 mths both with a distinct lack of paperwork/handover packs/schematics/Customer support etc

I do feel for the MCS accredited members who jump through the Scheme hoops like trained sealions , while these monkeys are out there earning good money and doing half a job badly!

With regards to my customers situation any suggestions on what, if any measures they can pursue to get this rectified, should this installer refuse to do anything (I'm calling them today) as everything I read about Real, Rega, Mcs suggests they're a waste of time!

Also can I contact the DNO to find out how this system is registered , ie what they have actually allowed etc?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!

 

[edexlab]

Just thought of something else
installed 17,10,11
9.8 kw system 3 sp inverters sharp 245 panels , minimal cable runs longest dc is 20 m ac 9 m
Any thoughts on a rough price it should have cost the customer?

 

[Earthstore]

Well, my advice would be get them to contact the installer to get them to sort it out, mind you If it was left in that state I would not hold my breath for too long.

As to all the other avenues that are supposedly available for the customer, well, they might as well piddle into the wind, they will just get frustrated being sent around in circles.

You have seen the job, it does not look too difficult to sort it all out properly and split the system over the 3 phases, that is if it was installed under G83 that is, also how is the supply used at the property, do they use 3 phases or just the one?
If you are happy to do so, offer to sort it out properly for them, for a price of course, but make it clear that you are not guarantying the system for any future faults.

If you do contact the DNO, you do stand a risk of them coming to look at it which could end in disaster, they could shut it down and remove FITs too..

Let the customer decide, but point these things out to them.

 

[edexlab]

Customer asked me to contact the DNO today as they're concerned about having the fit payments removed further down the line and don't want to be liable for a larger amount I made them aware what this could mean regarding being disconnected, but they were ok as they said it would only be a matter of time before it came to light anyway and they'd rather do it while the offending company was still around
so made some enquiries today

Scottish power say they have no application for > 16 A Pv system on file nor any commissioning notification for this address, they said they'll accept it if its reconfigured to one inverter per phase, or they can reapply for a single phase system with the 3 inverters subject to network assessment

As far as they're concerned its a potentially dangerous situation but surprisingly the guy said all they could do is demand its switched off and failing that disconnect the supply, he didn't seem to think they would go after the installer in any way

MCS are equally toothless and will only threaten removal from register, but are going to look into this, because this firm is no longer MCS registered yet they are still displaying the logo on the website , and are installing as their salesman confirmed
it appears this company operates under several different company names from the same office, they couldn't tell me if the company has been removed involuntarily as this is down to the assessment body (Elecsa) who I'm going to speak to tomorrow

They have the 3 systems down as separate installs and this is probably why there was no mpan number on the MCS certs

I asked the MCS person what the idea behind MCS was, "Regulation of the Pv industry to give consumer confidence etc" was the reply, "Hardly working is it"

Although they said they would investigate the associated companies/ trading names and directors to see if they are acting unscrupulously etc I doubt they'll be doing anything soon if ever!

I'm ringing REA. tomorrow to see if the guarantee is actually real , but I'm not holding my breath on this one

 

[edexlab]

I've suggested to them that they should email the company several times and ask for this situation to be rectified at their expense by an installer chosen by the customer, because of lack of confidence in the firm

On one of five visits to sort out the roof one of this companies electricians arrived and looked at the system and refused to touch it and spent 2 days helping the roofers replace slates (165 replaced in total) when he was there to correct some of the electrical work

Failing this I think there's plenty of evidence showing bad workmanship, a system not fit for purpose, potentially fraudulent selling of nonexistent insurance policies etc for Trading standards to act on.

 

[The Solar King]

My only comment is what a bunch of self-abuse merchants. At a time where properly installed kit is virtually 'plug and play' this is unforgivable - maybe that is half the problem.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Sounds like the other side of the leccy industry with scams, unenforced toothless and blinkered.

 

[oldsalty]

Sounds like the other side of the leccy industry with scams, unenforced toothless and blinkered.

Relative of mine had similar situation with a Gas Registered Engineer in South Wales, appalling combi boiler job done and no Building Control request submitted by the engineer. After a year of GSR saying they couldn't do anything about it, except remove him from the Register, but they weren't likely to do that because that meant they would lose his annual registration fee. Had it checked over by a local gas fitter to make sure it was actually gas safe and will worry about certification if and when he needs to sell the house. Government schemes established more to enrich their colleagues than actually work to protect the consumer! What is said here about the toothlessness of the electricity registration boards does not surprise me at all.

 

[edexlab]

Just had an update from the customer
The installing firm that blanked my calls have sent someone to site to
"Confirm I'm talking rubbish", their words to the customer
the guy phoned me to find out what I was concerned about , customer said he left unimpressed with the job but apparently he's going to return and put things right

I was pleased that the firm were going to correct things for the customer...

Until I had a call from the MCS , she said they'd tracked down the company and given them the good news that unless things were put right, they would be suspended from the register pending an investigation into all complaints received
which obviously got them moving!