As I understand it - FiT is designed to increase demand for solar PV as a mechanism to increase the size of the sector and competition in it, thereby reducing the cost of solar PV, and increasing demand - a virtuous circle. It is essentially an attempt at "pump-priming" the industry.

I therefore don't really understand the gripes from those who have a) already installed solar PV or b) want to DIY. Existing solar PV haven't done, and DIY installations won't do, the needed capacity building in the solar PV industry (manufacturing and installation). And if they had and would, then the FiT would be unnecessary.

If we had effective policing of building regs. I'd agree with Tonys points ,we dont though. When it comes to smaller domestic works they are only interested in you if you go to them and say , "Hi i'd like to give you some money for you to give me a bit of paper to show my works up to standard".
In some cases you then have explain to them what it is they're suppose to be checking for.
If you just crack on with the work , they will never be any wiser.

Self certifying trade bodies also have problems , good honest worker will do a good job . Its very easy for cowboys to use this system to do poor work on ever job other than the one they choose to be inspected.

I'd like to see Building controls take on all these various certifying rolls as independent inspectors working with the building industry , for a fee , to educate on and improve standards
Also they need to be given the power to come down hard on those how do not comply.

You seem to misunderstand the fact that BCO's are not there for free consultancy - the design choices etc taken to comply remain the responsibility of the client and his advisors

Regards

Barney

So sinnerboy, not for you the house by Walden Pond.

barney how can you pass judgement on anything without knowledge. That's suggesting that BCOs don't need to know much about anything, Doesn't that make them amateurs.

Then if the design team are all professionals, architects,structural engineers,electricians, et al each with their own professional body, why have the uninformed BCO at all. They could self certify and do away with a whole raft of expense and buearocracy. That is reducing the BCO role to a rubber stamp, and an ill informed one at that. No, in my book they have to work as a team where each has a more in depth working knowlege of two or three main subjects plus a overall more generalised knowlege. I can't see it any othe way.

Posted By: barneyI suspect BCO will then revert to a policing role

As in investigation when something goes wrong?

Posted By: marktimeSo sinnerboy, not for you the house by Walden Pond.

Don't know that one marktime - can you link to it please ?

For DIYers, here's a remarkable website: http://www.solarpowerahouse.com/
It describes how to do DIY solar pv - including fabricating your own modules.

American, so does not address the FIT issue, but there's a lot of useful information, useful even if you are buying a professional system.

Excellent link, BV, and wholly in the spirit of overcoming the cost barriers to alternative energy production. One of the biggest element in that cost is having to "prove" compliance. The indications are that such proof will have to involve professionals at every stage, if the provision of an alternative energy source in the your home becomes a planning condition, either as part of a new build or a retro fitting. But why?

PV fitting companies aren't all in it because they give a monkey's about the environment, and even those that do probably have a particular standard of living as one of their aspirations!

Christ, I remember going to CAT when it was still just emerging from a hole in the ground, the spirit driving the place one of can-do-effing-must-do. The occasional slide-rule, but generally one of suck-it-and-see and pass on info on what worked. Seems that spirit now survives only in the land of the free. As they say on that site linked to by Bif...

"But what is really costing so much to solar power your home with traditional solar installation?

For one, the labor cost to solar power your home is high. Traditional solar installation requires technicians that must mount solar panels on your roof and they don't work for minimum wage.

Also, solar panels themselves are expensive. To accommodate the needs of an average sized house, you would need to use multiple solar panels which can add up to a lot of money if you're buying them at retail.

If you're having a professional install your solar energy system for you, get ready to pay huge mark ups on everything from the solar panels, to all other equipment, to solar installation charges.

As a result of all these factors, you end up spending a lot of "extra" money (to the solar installer) just to try to save some money (on your utility bills)."

Posted By: Joiner.
One of the biggest element in that cost is having to "prove" compliance. The indications are that such proof will have to involve professionals at every stage.

True; If the meter says that the thing is working and power is being produced, that's compliance. As far as I can see the only bit that requires professional experise is grid connection and a bit of internal wiring.

,

I think there must be a middle ground that doesn't stifle creativity and enterprise and freedom and yet at the same time gives some degree of accountability for government largesse. The problem is we're a nation of "jobsworth's" we love inventing rules and regulations and an army of enforcers. Most of the green energy initiatives, with their system of hoops to jump through only serve to line the pockets of the middlemen who have to pay to belong to the appropriate "professional" body, then they get a stranglehold on installation, and therefore pass on the costs. In the end the punter pays, more than is necessary in order to get the government handout. it's the law of unintended consequence. I can't believe the initiators intend it that way, or there again maybe they do?

Didn't get, did Google, still too subtle for me!

Can you hear the sound of half-a-hand raised?

Rgds

Damon

A complete non-corrolation beteen the planned works/specifications and the actual installed works.

Not an uncommon problem - although perhaps more reflective on the fact that a client often appoints on a lowest cost first basis (for both his professional advisors and his contractors) and relies on a contract rather than appropriate supervision to get the job done.

Regards

Barney

Posted By: marktime
Hands up who didn't get the Walden Pond reference and couldn't be arsed to google it.

Me too, gave up, hand up:- Waldon Pond Massachusetts? Safron Waldon duckpond? go on marktime give us a clue.