interested in starting off installing pv

[alfie114]

hi all im new here, i have been reading through some of the posts and have picked up quite a bit. iam interested in starting up on my ont doing pv installs, iam currently qualified spark working for a contracting company.
To get started am i right in saying i would need to do a pv installation course for around £500-£700 then get into mcs scheme around £2k? is that all i would need to get going? well apart from tools, van and customers obviously.....

look forward to your replys.... regards mark.....

 

[Noshocks]

Try £3.5- 4k for MCS paperwork, tools, registrations, insurance, etc
+ 2372 course and time off
+ PV install for assesment
+ £10k in bankk to finance orders when they arrive.

This is what it cost me and it was done on a shoe string.

 

[alfie114]

thanks for the reply, what is the 2372 course? also it nessesary to have you testing+inspection, or do you just have to be qualified spark with 17th edition? i realise there is alot of work needed to get going but is it all worth it in the long run?...

 

[Noshocks]

The City and guilds 2372 is the standard qualification for PV, testing, installation, their are others but from what i've heard avoid the NICEIC one, and I told my NICEIC assessor that also!, the 2372 is being replaced shortly and will be called something different though.
I had to have the 2391 to get on the course when i did it two years ago, however i think things have changed now, it seems the 5 week wonder courses are involved so entry requirements are probably 'flexible'.

Is it all worth it in the long run?, at present PV occupies 50% of our time which is good because that time could not be filled with electrical works due to the state of the economy as I am sure you are experiencing as well. Its not for the faint hearted though, theres alot of your money at stake on each job, so go into it with your eyes open.

 

[alfie114]

yea ive had a look at the niceic one and you have to have nic manual handling and working at height certs, in other words more money for them...thanks for the info much appreciated...think ill get booked up for my 2372 and see where it goes from there!