MCS PV installer wanting to add ST

[saint]

I am an MCS PV installer. I want to be able to offer Solar Thermal to our customers. I can see two ways of doing this.

A. Use a plumber with the all the necessary qualifications.
B. Train up myself.

If i go down the route A i get employment / subcontracting issues. i.e. employment - keeping someone busy enough to justify employment. Sub contract - may not be available when needed.
So i'm thinking of route B. But i'm not sure what's involved. From what i had read there is possibly lots of training . What courses do i need to complete as a minimum? I know a PV installer who only had to join a Part P scheme and complete his 17th edition to become MCS registered with Napit. Is there a fast track for Solar Thermal?

Any advice welcome
Thanks

 

[unguided1]

I Might suggest that if you do it yourself you will only need to do a solar thermal course, to do the solar thermal installation and then use a plumber to do the cylinder changes. I have done this with a company for a number of years and it works well, the reason I suggest this is because invariably when the customer gets you on the job they usually want a few other plumbing jobs doing which might then test your plumbing knowledge.

 

[saint]

Thanks, yes i will be using a plumber to work along side me for the experience he would bring.
I can't find a ST course for me that doesn't require NVQ level 2 etc etc.
Any suggestions?

 

[unguided1]

Hi saint

in this case if you only intend to install one manufacturers kit, it may well be worth going on a manufacturers course.

 

[peteheat]

Hi,

Might be better to team up with an independent ST installer that way your businesses should compliment each other, we get a lot of enquiries for PV but because it's a totally different technology we say no to potential business.

A potential problem as pointed out by Unguided would also include an awkward cylinder coil or heating system that air locks taking an electrician hours to solve where a plumber can often see a potential problem before it becomes one.

A lot of people disregard the likely hood of leaks where the roof mounting brackets are fixed to the roof (same with PV) a lot of plumbers have the experience to properly flash the pipes and brackets (well us old school one's do)

 

[EasyMCSLtd]

Hi There,

The MCS Inspector will want to see that whoever is installing the Solar Thermal be it yourself or a subcontractor has been on a certified solar thermal course such as LOGIC or BPEC.

This is essential.

Happy to answer any questions.

 

[Echo Energy]

The MCS Inspector will want to see that whoever is installing the Solar Thermal be it yourself or a subcontractor has been on a certified solar thermal course such as LOGIC or BPEC.

The MCS document stipulates the person must be competent. AFAIK a manufacturers course is enough to satisfy the likes of NAPIT.

 

[EasyMCSLtd]

The MCS document stipulates the person must be competent. AFAIK a manufacturers course is enough to satisfy the likes of NAPIT.

Manufacturer course's are starting to be phased out due to the course content not being regulated and that the training could be specific to the manufacturer not the technology in general. Please be aware alot of manufacturers are now offering in house training which carries a recognised certificate e.g BPEC, Logic or NIC EIC.

please feel free to ask any further questions.

 

[Echo Energy]

Thanks for clearing that up, that makes alot of sense

 

[Toddyplumb]

You will need unvented as well , probably before you can do the solar

 

[MickW]

Manufacturer course's are starting to be phased out due to the course content not being regulated and that the training could be specific to the manufacturer not the technology in general.

Which manufacturers, EasyMCS?

 

[EasyMCSLtd]

Which manufacturers, EasyMCS?

What technology would you be looking to be trainined on, and i will check our database?

 

[markfxy]

I thought the idea of a manufacturers course was to be specific to that make, with course content covering commissioning of their products for that reason I dont think that they will be phased out. BPEC and Logic courses will be phased out in favour of the new city&guilds courses meaning a lot of extra expense for would be installers.

 

[EasyMCSLtd]

I thought the idea of a manufacturers course was to be specific to that make, with course content covering commissioning of their products for that reason I dont think that they will be phased out. BPEC and Logic courses will be phased out in favour of the new city&guilds courses meaning a lot of extra expense for would be installers.

Hi Markfxy, We work closely with all the main certifications bodies and we have not heard anything of any changes to remove Logic or BPET from the approved courses. You may be referring to the C & G 2399 course for solar PV but even this is only an extended course for larger organisation needing this certificate for approval on commerical contracts but this is not a requirement by MCS at the moment but we will make sure we keep you upto date.