The big question - are you making enough from PV for it to have been worth it?

[cornburn]

As most other work is pap at the moment and handymen galore are winning jobs I'm figuring (as plenty of you probably have) that it's time to get specialist or get out. But before pumping a load more money into more courses and schemes it'd be daft to not appeal to the helpful side of all of you and ask whether or not it's worth it, ie is there any more money in PV installs and is the work out there?

I've had a good look around and there's no one available locally doing them here, so most will be going with national companies. If anyone knows a rough breakdown of what Eon charge for example that would be great, other than that I'll have to waste their time and get a quote. The main unknown I have is how much labour is worth with one of these installs, as unless it's at least £300/day I don't think it's the way to go.

I appreciate this is a public forum so if anyone is uncomfortable with posting a PM would be very much appreciated. I just can't get over the feeling that many might have signed up hoping for loads of work, when in reality there is only going to be a handful of jobs over the year, and it has to be well worth all the outgoings for me to consider.

I know it's asking a lot as many of you have taken the gamble yourself but I want to go into it with my eyes at least half open! I've attached a poll too as it might be useful for others wanting an anonymous opinion. Thanks a lot all of you

 

[Guest123]

I admit I dont know a great deal about the whole solar market at them mo, but I have seen more adverts like this cropping up recently. Dont know the in's and out's of it all but if they are offering it for free, how can anyone compete???

Free Solar Panels & SolarShare From The Market Leader - HomeSun

 

[cornburn]

Yes they're all over the news too, no use explaining to the homeowner they'll be better off in the long run to buy it themselves when it takes 10 years to break even and they have to pay it all upfront. It's a shame as it's something I'd be really interested in but can see there's a good chance those of us who take the plunge will be pushed out of the game before it's really started! I have a large south facing (near enough) roof myself but even I'm not sure!

 

[Noshocks]

Short answer for me, not at the moment, my normal house bashing subsidised MCS registration, at the moment it seems that there isent the volume of customers that I am sure there will be next year, hopefully!

 

[Markc]

The talk has been about for over 12months about the FITs payments replacing the old grant system making it more viable as an investment however there's really only been installers about since June / July so IMHO its far to soon to show a return. Electrical contracting is our core business and I would assume it will remain so. PV is a string to the bow so to speak. Most specialised companies do not just offer PV they offer most forms of renewable, Air source, ground source, thermal etc. Unless you can offer these as well then I don't expect PV to be 100% of our work load as a single renewable ever. Like the PV customers its a balance of return and like any investment there's an element of risk. I would like to think that there's no one who's expected to have their return on investment meet after only 6 months.
As for work it is slow and not many leads turn into work but I do agree with Noshocks I expect that to change next year and early 2012. Time will tell.

 

[Markc]

I admit I dont know a great deal about the whole solar market at them mo, but I have seen more adverts like this cropping up recently. Dont know the in's and out's of it all but if they are offering it for free, how can anyone compete???

Free Solar Panels & SolarShare From The Market Leader - HomeSun

Hi Lenny

I think the question on these "Free!" systems is the difference between the Eco Warrior and the Investor?

The "Eco Warrior" customer wants to change the planet. Hug trees and live in the wilderness eating berry's and tie dying every bit of torn cloth they own. These people will opt for the free system as the loss of return payment is of no consequence as their saving the planet single handedly, where as the investor, who currently making jack all in the bank or property, is looking for an alternative investment portfolio would consider the purchase of a PV system as the return over 25 years looks quite appealing at the moment. Even if they consider it at 8 to 10 years they will have their money back to reinvest into the next big thing while still earning a return on the remainder of the 25 year period.

 

[Noshocks]

I dont seem to meet many of the eco friendy customers, just the £££ ones, I refused to quote on putting 2kw array on a North east facing roof for one customer, but offered to quote on fitting a 1.2kw on his South west roof, his answer, 'no thats not worth my while its not enough FIT payment'.

 

[poheZ]

As an MCS installer you will be selling pv to peopel who want the fits payments, they wont get these with the free systems. People with money will not want the free systems because they wont get the cream