Installing PV non MCS

[leckylee]

Hope somebody can help

I am a time served sparks and a PV installer with all the relevant qualification.

I have installed around 250 PV systems and signed them off as I m NICEIC registered.

The MCS was dealt with through the companies I was installing for.

So here is the question-

As the FIT is so low can you install PV under 3.68 Kw and not apply for the FIT without being MCS accredited.

Thanks in advance

 

[TJ Anderson]

Yes if you don't care about receiving FIT. You still need to complete a G83 notification to DNO though as it is grid tied.

 

[Worcester]

Yes you can, though if the client wants the FiT it will have to be MCS.

There is also the legal requirement for you to notify building control (same as 'Part P' for the electrics fro the installation of the inverter)

You could pay BC to carry out an inspection (usually about £200) in that case they will probably also want to see your structural calcs, wind loading figures etc etc.

Also bear in mind that if they want a new EPC, they will need some paperwork, the Energy Assessors usually want an MCS certificate though so long as they have a commissioning certificate (as was required under MCS) then that should suffice.

New build work, most Building Control departments are insisting on MCS certificates that way they don't have to worry about all the above.

MOST (nat all) MCS schemes operated by the certifying bodies inculed the Competent Person Scheme for PV etc, so that you can self certify for the install as well.

BEWARE, installed not notified to BC could be instructed to be removed.

MCS isn't going away until an equivalent scheme starts up.

Note: Ofgem are currently consulting on an MCS equivalent scheme for the Domestic RHI.

 

[leckylee]

Thanks for the replies
The signing off under Part P isn't an issue as I can do that, the issue is that will the DNO accept the application if it has been installed by me as I am not MCS accredited.

 

[Worcester]

Who's going to sign off the installation of the panels and any roof strengthening if needed? - That's what I was referring to above.
On the DNO form, you need to include your certifications. - Why not speak to them? It's easy to do, just pick up the phone Remember, PV systems were being installed before MCS

 

[TedM]

There is no reason for the DNO not to accept G83 (or G59) paperwork from a non-MCS installer.

 

[Gavin A]

There is no reason for the DNO not to accept G83 (or G59) paperwork from a non-MCS installer.

they could choose not to though, as MCS is (rightly or wrongly) viewed as at least a basic level evidence of competence to install SSEGs to the required standards.

Unlikely to be an issue here, but could be.

I'm not sure if the system would be eligible for export payments either without the MCS cert.

 

[janner43]

In my experience as a buyer (self build) MCS is another example of a closed shop. 8/10 suppliers will not even supply PV unless you have the MCS ticket.

 

[leckylee]

Thanks for all your replies again.
I did do the QMS course about 3 years ago but because I was earning good money anyway I chose not to go forward with MCS
I wasn't aware that BC needed to be informed of the inverter installation, surely my NIC cert should cover that after all I register that with NIC and the customer is issued with a BC cert.

 

[t4sltd]

Lee,
NIC covers Part P notification but not Part B (structural for the panels) - see Worcester's comments above.

 

[Worcester]

Also discussed with one of our tame Energy Assessors today the implications of not having an MCS certificate for new builds on the final build EPC.
They just need certified proof. The MCS certificate was the easy way, they are actually happy to accept a signed commissioning certificate as currently required anyway by MIS 3002 para 6.1, so if you produce a certificate containing that information, it will suffice even if you're not MCS.

 

[Shunterwork]

The mcs enables you to apply for the feed in tariff through ofgem, this is the only way to get penny's back, it's also covers your panels under any warranty they have including the inverter. NICEIC elecsa etc only gets the AC side ticked off. If you don't have your mcs you can go though a company who manufacture in the uk and install the system yourself and they will sign your work off for a small fee.

 

[Worcester]

If you don't have your mcs you can go though a company who manufacture in the uk and install the system yourself and they will sign your work off for a small fee.

Me thinks not...

 

[Shunterwork]

How come?

 

[jason121]

Me thinks not...

There is a company in the UK, MCS registered, who have been issuing MCS certificates if you buy from them.

 

[Worcester]

There is a company in the UK, MCS registered, who have been issuing MCS certificates if you buy from them.

Probably not the best practice... Do they operate their own forum No names...

@Shunterwork, I understand that you work on the solar side though up till now on roo-fit scale projects, the MCS regulations work very much like PartP etc, putting a lot of onus on the MCS registered "INSTALLERS", as such they could be letting themselves open to losing that registration for various non-compliances. So in most cases they wont do it.
See here: Microgeneration Certification Scheme - Installer Standards

 

[Shunterwork]

There is a company in the UK, MCS registered, who have been issuing MCS certificates if you buy from them.

The he way it works is you need to be a fully qualified electrician with NICEIC/elecsa etc and they come to site and fully train you in what's is a very easy install and nothing you wouldn't know.

you then install the system and the company comes back out to check over your work and issue the mcs etc.

simple process and far safer than getting some solar specialist (week trained roofer) in solar to wire in your system , that's just a recipe for disaster.

 

[Gavin A]

Probably not the best practice... Do they operate their own forum No names...

@Shunterwork, I understand that you work on the solar side though up till now on roo-fit scale projects, the MCS regulations work very much like PartP etc, putting a lot of onus on the MCS registered "INSTALLERS", as such they could be letting themselves open to losing that registration for various non-compliances. So in most cases they wont do it.
See here: Microgeneration Certification Scheme - Installer Standards

tbf they were getting people to attend a course they ran, and have been doing pv and training people in renewables for a lot longer than most 3 day MCS course providers. They'd just do the MCS paperwork side of things.

 

[jason121]

Yes Mr Worcester. I was called to the install signed off by them before Christmas, due to inverter tripping out in summer. 70m of 2.5mm T/E installed on the AC side.

 

[marc8]

Hi got a m8 who is heating engineer, they are on new build sites, they install all panels, roof structure the lot. on-site sparks provides power to the rotary isolator heating guy does the rest.
reads from inverter display what the panels are producing & sends the info to the company & they do the paperwork. all MCS no problems.
inquired about it as we had previously done a couple of jobs for them & tested all paperwork ect & was told they were about half the cost I mentioned what happens if it don't work not my problem down to them.