Hey guys,
This is Roger from Save & Generate! I'll start by saying that I totally get where you are coming from, the PV sector in particular has everyone and the Jones' jumping on it trying to make a buck. I'll try and keep this short but I'm keen to give you the whole picture. If you'd prefer to talk to me directly about it please pm me. I'd welcome the message.
-It's not just PV, we cover all systems from energy efficiency through voltage optimisation right through PV and solar thermal to biomass boilers even AD systems!
- Nearly all the customers on the site are genuine we check each one before they get sent out to installers the majority we've either requested with the customer ourselves at events, during consultancy sessions we run or they are in fact jobs that we are project managing and need quotes for. (I say 'nearly all' because a few cheeky installers have tried to put fake quote requests in, we catch most of them
- There are three parts to the S&G company: the website, the consultancy and the educational services. (Just so you don't get the wrong impression of size there are only 3 of us.)
- We charge 5% on a completed job up to a max of £1000 (we introduced the £20 plus 3% as a test and are reviewing with installers to see if it works) We are completely up front and honest about this charge from the moment you go to the site as an installer or as a customer. We think it's very fair as we offer a lot more than a simple referral service and it's a no lose fee. You only pay it if you get the job and there are no other costs associated with these customers. You quote, you get shortlisted, you survey (unless it is a new build with complete building plans), you hopefully get the job.
- Each installer on the system gets their own profile to which they can upload logo's, product brochures, case studies etc There is even a Google style interactive map showing their location as well as the facility to upload installations with photo's and case studies to the map. These are then viewable to browsing customers on the installer profile page map as well as on a general map showing the growing number of installations in the UK a (take 5 seconds to check it out, it's a great tool to show people that this stuff really works and they should get involved!) We are trialing monitoring systems to link live generation data to the map. For small local installers (the ones we are really trying to support) this provides advertising plaform that they just would not be able to afford to set up (in time or expense). The whole site is free to use for installer and customer.
- We're setting up a discussion forum for MCS installers only where urban myths can be dispelled (we take the outcomes and make sure they get advertised) and best practise past on between installers. (not sure if everyone will be so keen to share as us but we've had a pretty positive response so far.)
- The customer gets clear independent information on all energy efficiency and renewable energy systems (please have a look at the information section, whilst it's not faultless it's pretty comprehensive) and an easy way to get quotes from local installers.
- installers get a raft of free services and customers who are educated in the prerequisites, issues, costs and paybacks so are usually ready to invest. These customers come with no upfront marketing costs, whilst you will have to compete with other installers I don't think any of you would argue against a customer getting a number of different quotes.
I hope you can see what we're trying to do with this site. We ARE trying to offer benefit and expertise to the sector. We're passionate about this sector and helping it reach it's full potential for success. Like I said earlier, I'd be happy to chat to anyone about what we do and the expertise we have. You can finish here or read on for a little more about where the idea for the website came from and who we are.
The idea for the website has come over the past 4 years in which time I have been directly hands on involved with the installation of solar Thermal (integrated with a wood stove with back boiler heating system), Solar PV and a 6kW wind turbine at my family home. My experience of the industry was bad, there was no clear independent information and some of the claims made by installers were incredible to say the least. So after studying the subject officially for another year (MSc at Imperial College) I paired up with my now business partners; Mike, an energy efficiency consultant with over 10 years high level consultancy experience and Duan, a web developer of terrifying capabilities. We're motivated by and passionate about the uptake of sustainable energy lifestyles including distributed energy generation systems. We have built this company, every last nut and bolt, with our own hands (I even got my girlfriend to design the logo!). It's taken 14 months of incredibly long hours with ZERO external funding.
I really hope you take another look at the site and you'll hopefully see we are not taking the ****!
Sorry it's a bit long