(hope it's ok to post this here??)

So, the jist of the situation is that I'm in the process of setting up as an independent MCS registered solar thermal and PV installer, and have hit a snag. Basically on top of all the training and registration fees and other expenses,I need to do at least 1 solar water heating and 1 solar PV installation that can be assessed before I gain my MCS accreditation. I installed a solar thermal set up on my house last year, so no problem there, and was planning to do the same with a solar PV installation, but basically all the training and accreditation fees mean I'm not going to have the cash to pay for the solar PV installatin.

Plan B then is to offer to do a free / cost price solar PV installation, which I've been assured by NAPIT will be eligable for MCS registration and the feed in tariff once the installation / I have been assessed as competent. If for any reason the assessment is negative, I'll put anything right that needs to be put right and get it reassessed at my expense.

Rules of the game...
1 - I'll install anything from 0.5kwp to 3kwp / essentially upto 16 amp single phase only
2 - You must have the money available, and will need to pay for the equipment up front
3 - I'd prefer not to do anything in a national park / conservation area / on a listed building... basically anything with any planning complications, and obviously have a suitable southwest / south / southeast facing roof.
4 - If scaffolding's needed then you'll need to cover the costs of that
6 - I'm based in Leeds, so my preference would be for somewhere relatively local, but if not then I'll travel if you'll put me up for the night and cover expenses.
7 - On grid only
8 - You must have sufficient spare capacity on your distribution board for an extra circuit, and your electricity company must not be a total pain in the arse to deal with.
8 - You agree for the system to be assessed by whoever needs to assess it, provide regular (monthlyish) monitoring / performance data, allow pictures to be used for promo purposes etc
9 - You're happy and have the money in place for the installation to be done in the next month or so.
10 - If you want a solar water heating installation done, or other energy efficiency work doing at the same time, then I can do that, but would need to be paid for that side of things.
11 - One install only, though I may be persuadable for a couple of installs to keep the peace

Essentially the offer is for an MCS accredited Feed In Tariff eligable solar PV system at DIY prices, or possibly even below DIY price if I manage to get VAT registered before the installation, and with me making nothing from it.

I'm not overly fussy about exactly which panels / system / supplier to use as long as it's MCS certified / G83 compliant if you have a supplier you want to use, but I'm pretty sure I've sussed out the cheapest MCS/G83 suppliers if you've no preference.

any takers?

Hi Gavin,
We will have scaffolding around the house in the next month to do external insulation. I would very much like to make use of this to get you to install an MCS 2.88kWp PV and a 2 panel solar water installation.
The house is at EX22 6LJ - Bounds Farm if you want to find it on Google earth. We have a good S facing roof that has already been surveyed by Microgeneration Ltd in Plymouth who gave us a (large) quote for the work last year.
I realise this is a long way for you but we would happily put you up - either at home or in a flat in Holsworthy if you would prefer.
Not sure about point 8 - I can take a photo and send it if you like. Our supplier is nPower who, I hope are not generally a Pain-in-the-arse!
I have been looking at systems generally and have only found E Bay prices from scottnangle.co.uk. so would be intrigued what you could get.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Regards,
Adrian Oliver

Hi Oliver,
I'm in the same position as Gavin. Except I can probably offer you a better deal on MCS
registered thermal kits and pv. If Gavin is sorted give me a try.

Ronnie

Interesting proposal.....If anyone else is looking to do a one-off install of Solar PV to gain MCS accreditation.... I would be interested....have south facing roof with scaffolding in the Manchester area.

Regards
Phil