REI Mar-Apr 2012 - Renewable Energy Installer

Knowledge: Solar PV
Kitted out?
As the solar PV market comes to terms with the changes to the Feed-in-Tariff
(FiT), Rupert Higgin, md of The Green Electrician, examines whether new preassembled
kits may be the answer to help installers both improve efficiencies and
operating margins
he solar panel market across the
T
UK has enjoyed a boom over the
last few years as householders
and companies have taken
advantage of the FiT microgeneration scheme.
With the FiT cuts high on the agenda,
plus energy efficiency to consider, installers
are being forced to radically review their
supply chain, pricing and margins whilst
considering how they can work smarter in
order to remain competitive and profitable.
Reducing costs
With energy costs continuing to rise and
the government’s policy of supporting green
energy solutions, there remains a strong
future for solar power, even with reduced
tariffs. However, for installers to maximise the
opportunities presented, fitting solar PV in
turn needs to be quicker and simpler.
One direction many installers are
turning is in the direction of kits. These part
assembled kits are specifically designed to
help make the life of the installer that bit
easier, by providing them with a custom
designed package including panels, frame,
inverter, cables, training and support.
Bright future: Rupert Higgin sees Greenkits as an
answer to the FiT reduction
72 | www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk
Saving time
By using a kit, the time and effort of selecting
the right components is minimised as is the
time spent installing on site. For example,
GreenKit (a pre-assembled kit from The
Green Electrician Group) uses PV panels from
Suntech and Sharp that are selected based
on the feedback and experience gained from
The Green Electrician’s installers. The same
research and approach is used when selecting
the aluminium framework, cabling and
inverter board.
GreenKits are also delivered to site and
are backed by manufacturer’s warranties,
again to give the installer peace of mind
that the equipment is a genuinely durable
and quality product, rather than simply the
cheapest on the market or available at the
point of order.
The cost of the kits is also an attractive
element. By effectively pooling the buying
power of smaller installers there is an
opportunity to buy the component parts
in bulk or direct from the manufacturers,
with much of the cost savings in the case of
GreenKits being passed on to the installers.
Improving aftercare
The other critical benefit is the holistic
approach offered to installers when it
comes to appropriate training and aftercare.
Obviously every property developer or
householder should use an MCS qualified
electrician when fitting solar PV panels, but
systems can vary and having a single point
of contact for the entire installation is hugely
beneficial should something go wrong.
So what does the solar PV future look
like? Although the changes to the FiT have
undoubtedly undermined the growth in the
industry, there remains a positive outlook for
the solar PV market. The reason for such a
positive outlook is principally because the
industry is innovative and responsive one and
one that can react positively to change. The
emergence of such pre-assembled kits is one
such example.
Indeed, it needs to be so as the coalition
government stated back in 2011 that the solar
tariffs will be ‘intelligent and responsive to
change’ in future, so it is likely that we will see
further regulation on the horizon. However
the new products, services and technologies
that are emerging can clearly help installers
improve efficiencies and protect profits.
The next step
According to Greenfix its solar safety
step means no more broken tiles
or tools slipping of the roof. This
lightweight aluminium frame for use
by solar panel fitters, gives a safe
secure foot grip by spreading the load
on the roof, helps prevent slipping on
wet and dirty tiles. It is rubber-backed
giving cushioning to roof tiles/ slates
greatly reducing potential breakage
and reduces fatigue in ankles and
knees. It also boasts adjustable
positioning of top hooks to fit any roof
tile shape, plus tool holding section.
Step by step: Greenfix’s solar safety step
means no more broken tiles or tools slipping
off the roof