I SOLD OUT! 🤑 My Expensive Regret...

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  • Опубликовано: 16 авг 2023
  • We have finally received our MCS approval! 🥳 But was it really worth all the time and money invested in the process? 🤔 Join Jordan in this special Artisan upload as he explains the journey to becoming MCS-approved and shares several tips that might help you as well.
    View the proposed changes to the MCS scheme here: mcscertified.com/wp-content/u...
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    ⏱️Timestamps
    00:38 - Why I made my decision
    02:23 - Bittersweet moment
    04:40 - Tips for MCS
    07:55 - Conflicted
    11:26 - Was it worth it?
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Комментарии • 366

  • @artisanelectrics
    @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад +6

    View the proposed changes to the MCS scheme here 👉: mcscertified.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Scheme-Consultation_-Proposed-changes-to-MCS.pdf

    • @AntonyoKnight
      @AntonyoKnight 9 месяцев назад

      It's just too much to consume 😕
      Where is the proposal?

    • @MagicianMan
      @MagicianMan 9 месяцев назад +1

      I watched your latest video with a great deal of interest.
      Our installer First4Solar recently went into administration owing approx 500-1000 people an average deposit of £2500.
      We were one of the lucky ones that had our installation completed and registered with MCS and HIES.
      Turns out that they have not registered most of those people with HIES for deposit protection, and even when they did they delayed the installation past the 120 day protection.
      We have people with no installations, part installations and complete installations. They have not been issued EIC/Part P Certificates, have not been registered with MCS.
      NAPIT have been a fucking useless trade body and have point blank refused to help anyone.
      MCS only advice has been "find an installer to adopt the system". Good luck with that, we contacted 15 different installers, most ignored me completely, some declined, 2 responded and 1 quoted to adopt the system and carry out remedial electrical work @ £3200 (out install was £9k).
      We also found out that our mounting rails and PV panels installed were different to those quoted for and listed on the MCS Certificate. MCS require us to find another MCS certified installer to write to them and confirm this is correct. However as I am led to believe Installers WON'T do this as apparently they then become responsible for the changes. And to add insult to injury MCS wanted to charge a £36 admin fee!
      For 99% of those other people HIES have been about as much use as a chocolate toothbrush and are "not fit for purpose".
      They have wriggled out of any responsibility wherever possible, their insurance backed guarantee ONLY covers "Faulty Workmanship" and even in those 1% of cases where the deposit insurance has worked there have been some particularly dodgy/criminal instances of them getting involved to arrange for alternate installations (at this point HIES should be done and all communication should be with the insurance company).
      One example: an alternate installer, who started operating in April 23, based in Glasgow, was proposed to install at a customers in Essex!!
      HIES tried to arrange this, NOT the insurance company.
      Turns out that this company, Jarion Ltd (10493796), also own part of HIES and 80% of this new installation company. Jarion Ltd are an "investment company" that also part own HIES, HICS, EPVS, QASSS, DGCOS, Qualitymark Protection. In addition to this Jarion Ltd have a director John Richard CHRISTIE who was also a director of HIES until December 2020.
      Also QA SCHEME SUPPORT SERVICES LTD (05836324) have the same Directors as HIES, aka THE INTEGRITY FOUNDATION (07972075), Faisal HUSSAIN and John Richard CHRISTIE

    • @sang3Eta
      @sang3Eta 8 месяцев назад

      Octopus Energy no longer requires a MCS certificate.

  • @nickcollins7568
    @nickcollins7568 9 месяцев назад +129

    MCS sounds like a company whose main business is to rake in Fees from installers and customers

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад +17

      Pretty much how it is now tbh, we just realised a little too late

    • @willmitchell255
      @willmitchell255 9 месяцев назад +4

      Just like The IET Wiring Regulations

    • @mikebarry229
      @mikebarry229 9 месяцев назад +8

      Ironic that Octopus no longer require the installer/installation to be MCS registered to pay export

    • @iknowcraig
      @iknowcraig 9 месяцев назад

      @@mikebarry229they don’t? Got any links to info or anything? I’d like to do an DIY install so this is very interesting!!

    • @arcadia1701e
      @arcadia1701e 9 месяцев назад +5

      Bit like the NICEIC and NAPIT then..

  • @samstretton3890
    @samstretton3890 9 месяцев назад +48

    I was literally about to pay for everthing to do with MCS at the start of this week, that idea went straight in the bin when i saw the octopus announcement

    • @Stugadget
      @Stugadget 9 месяцев назад +1

      To be able to sign off the building control part of the solar installation you need to be part of a competent person scheme such as NICEIC and unless your MCS registered you won’t be able to sign off the building control

    • @patrickhosking613
      @patrickhosking613 9 месяцев назад +1

      Sounds like a backwards step by octopus 🐙 if you ask me. I think that I would stay with the mcs scheme regardless of how they wish to operate.

    • @TheRonskiman
      @TheRonskiman 9 месяцев назад

      @@uksecco why would it be Octopus's liability anyway. They sell/buy electric from you, if your CU was poorly installed would they be liable? No they wouldn't, no different for solar, unless they actually installed it.

    • @1988marksie
      @1988marksie 9 месяцев назад +4

      @@Stugadget Could you provide the part of building regs that says this? MCS isnt the only certification scheme, and as long as a qualified electrician signs off as safe and provides the part p etc. then its not required at all as far as im aware.

    • @stealthmovements8569
      @stealthmovements8569 9 месяцев назад

      All sounds like a massive contradiction to current competency and regulation system

  • @TheXsheeple
    @TheXsheeple 9 месяцев назад +63

    It's all about the large companies dominating the market, the little guy just doesn't have the hours available for all the paperwork involved.

  • @craiglowe44
    @craiglowe44 9 месяцев назад +48

    Another example of how the British government approach policy, farm it out to external companies who couldn't care less other than their fees. Time and time again we see this leading to poor quality work, confusion and ultimately everything gets folded up and everyone has to start over again. I wonder how long till we hear about some politicians partners grandma owning MSC, followed by a weak meaningless apology that they had no idea.

  • @MacCaughey
    @MacCaughey 9 месяцев назад +11

    This reminds me sooo much of the process that I went through in Ireland when I became an approved installer for solar thermal systems. We had hoped that setting up a system to create our paperwork and help the customer complete the grant paperwork would work smoothly and become almost automatic, and it did - for a while.
    Then they changed the requirements and made it much more onerous to meet the specifications. Panel area and hot water storage had to be matched to floor area; before and after Building Energy Assessments needed, etc. Even though I was a qualified Assessor, it was easier to follow the cowboys and offer the customer a cheaper system to save on the hassle of getting a grant. Very frustrating.

  • @RicktheRecorder
    @RicktheRecorder 9 месяцев назад +1

    Fascinating and revealing. Thank you. BTW 'install' is a verb, not a noun. In England it's an installation.

  • @effervescence5664
    @effervescence5664 9 месяцев назад +7

    MCS never should have been privatised or designed in the way it was. It should of always fallen onto the current inspection bodies.
    It's the equivalent of being Gas qualified, getting the Gas Boiler qualification and being able to sign conventional boilers off, then getting Water Heater qualified and being told you now have to sign up to "Combi Safe" as GasSafe alone isn't good enough. It was never designed to succeed but then it's a body trying to bridge electrics and home heating which are completely independent fields and rarely have engineers experienced or qualified across both.

  • @stevendequincey7215
    @stevendequincey7215 9 месяцев назад +2

    My "MCS" approved installer was a nightmare. Drilled holes directly into the slate roof, missing any rafters. They came back to repair the work but I'm not 100% convinced it was ever done properly. I had a 3rd party check the work as well. They also said they had a 10 year MCS guarantee, but then gave me a 2 year MCS guarantee. I queried it with MCS who just shrugged their shoulders and said they're only approved for 2 years, so there wasn't anything they could do!

  • @wajopek2679
    @wajopek2679 9 месяцев назад +13

    Prioritise the customers who are not with Octopus, get them to change and collect the £50

  • @mattyboy7167
    @mattyboy7167 9 месяцев назад +7

    I still can't believe that these energy suppliers pay us peanuts to feed the grid compared to what they charge us per KWH. If you've got the dollar get off grid , get the air source , solar and battery storage 🔋. Great video jordan 👍

  • @sajulldin5147
    @sajulldin5147 9 месяцев назад +3

    Love the battering MCS are getting at the moment. Im just a consumer, and am waiting on DNO for approval for my MCS registered installer to go ahead.
    Sounds like a money making scheme.

  • @jeffreypybus9553
    @jeffreypybus9553 9 месяцев назад +1

    Your MCS review was spot on & 1 of the reasons I didn’t bother with renewables, more about paperwork than the installation so thumbs up to octopus energy

  • @handymanny1021
    @handymanny1021 9 месяцев назад

    Got our MCS accreditation this week for both Solar PV and battery. It was by far the most painful and excruciating process you could imagine.
    As an aside the IET have a great online battery storage training course that it acceptable to MCS. It’s less than £250 and you don’t need to take time away from work if you’re prepared to SPD out in your own time.

  • @artisanelectrics
    @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад

    🐙 Get £50 credit when you switch to Octopus Energy 👇
    ➤ share.octopus.energy/zappy-shell-695

    • @MrBobmeadows
      @MrBobmeadows 9 месяцев назад

      I did and we got both got our £50 credit. Thx

  • @elslopez
    @elslopez 9 месяцев назад +1

    it’s the very reason it took nearly 2 years to get my high powered solar and battery install done, paperwork paperwok paperwork… I think I went through three different project managers at SSE, just to have the incoming supply moved, so that they would even entertain approving solar. Though I wonder if not requiring “as much” certification now means off to the days of the wild west in terms of installations?

  • @judebrown4103
    @judebrown4103 9 месяцев назад +2

    Oh my goodness weren't there a lot of sticky fingers in that sustainable energy pie?!
    Not in the trade, just an interested customer but I so know that feeling of the world conspiring against you financially.
    We swore our next car would be EV and we'd get it used next (this)year once our mortgage finished. Then our old car got written off but things weren't as bad as we feared, the NFU insurance paid out quickly and very fairly enabling us to find the perfect used Ioniq 38kWh in a beautiful blue at a reasonable price...in August last year! It's now worth at least ten grand less than we paid for it...
    If we'd have been able to buy this year like we planned we'd have had to spend that much less.
    Turns out the car is fabulous, only a Premium, not the SE but really well specced and works for us much better than we expected. Getting around 7m/kWh at the moment too so couldn't possibly change it for that reason alone!
    I hope you recoup your unnecessary expenses somehow and well done Octopus for circumventing govt sanctioned extortion, better late than never! 👍

  • @2391Sparks
    @2391Sparks 9 месяцев назад +3

    I hear you Jordan I really do, the mind numbing bureaucracy weighs down on businesses far to much and I’ll bet there’s times you’re sat in the office thinking you can’t do right for doing wrong and that sucks but as for five hours of checking paperwork and ten minutes looking at installs? Of course you’re going to show me the perfect job with no issues you’ve been back to a couple of times to make it a bit better each time… Your paperwork tells me an awful lot more about your approach, the training your lads have had, your attitude towards your customers and your integrity….That’s very very important. Assessors can’t check every job but you can sit in the office for half a day and drill down into a lot more..You got accredited and you deserve it, I hope your business grows because of it…

  • @DIEMLtdTV
    @DIEMLtdTV 9 месяцев назад +3

    I remember the first "green deal" and how reputable contractors avoided and many less reputable (who are no longer trading) jumped on the bandwagon. MCS is another "industry within an industry" and exists to make money for the provider (such as the awful Constructionline) and I see clients get hammered having to be members of lots of schemes, even if they hold accredited certification to standards such as ISO 9001. I was talking to a heat pump installer this year and he says they aren't MCS certified and they make a good income setting up and carrying out remedial work installed by MCS contractors.
    If they did away with schemes like this and simply ensured contractors held accredited certification (via a UKAS cert body) it would be far more beneficial to the industry, the customers be flexible to meet NICEIC requirements, and is far more fun! (I need to get out more!).

  • @NBundyElectrical
    @NBundyElectrical 9 месяцев назад +8

    Good little video bud 👍

  • @norgtube
    @norgtube 9 месяцев назад

    MCS labelling reqs are great I think, they're tremendously helpful for troubleshooting and general info.

  • @nevermind824
    @nevermind824 9 месяцев назад

    I had a call out to a major electrical fire, someone at a block of flats had put a pv system in and forgotten to put any MCB in at the other end. During hot weather the cables melted and just burned until the main head blew. The maintenance just saw the invertor side and nobody had been into the submain. It had all been signed off... 10mins on site 5 hours in the office sounds right

  • @goober-ll1wx
    @goober-ll1wx 9 месяцев назад +11

    I think we should call a meeting with all the heads of the electrical industry and really try to explain to them how fking broken this industry is right now and it's only getting worse, they are all working in their own self interest and making this kind of work close to impossible...

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад +1

      We definitely need to explain to them the big issues right now and show them that not much of this is benefitting electricians.

    • @goober-ll1wx
      @goober-ll1wx 9 месяцев назад +2

      @@artisanelectrics none of it is, I just can't get over everything you've had to do, including the loss of income for it all to not even be needed so quickly 😭 You sure are determined, that would have sent me over the edge!

    • @GretatheEvilGremlin
      @GretatheEvilGremlin 9 месяцев назад +2

      When they had discussions which rumbled on for YEARS, as to whether Smart Meters should have a built in isolation switch for electrical contractors, it tells you all you need to know!
      The industry has turned into a complete sh1tshow, EV and PV is the golden curly turd on top.

    • @goober-ll1wx
      @goober-ll1wx 9 месяцев назад +2

      @@GretatheEvilGremlin there are too many parties working in their own self interest, they all want to be the origination to set the regs, sell the books/courses and enforce fines. They are all trying to make money from it, so there is no incentive for them to stop. The industry really does need a massive overhaul but no one is ever going to do that, so we just grind on, another classic case of a Moloch system...

  • @MrBobmeadows
    @MrBobmeadows 9 месяцев назад +17

    Oh Jordan, now that hurts, but Octopus' decision is a game changer for MCS. I am sure you will use the best practices you have learned on the journey to enhance Artisan Electrics customer experience.

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад +7

      It 100% is a game changer tbh but we will always deliver the best customer experience we can.

    • @jonwragg3822
      @jonwragg3822 9 месяцев назад

      @@artisanelectricsassumes of course that the customer uses Octopus or even wants to change to Octopus.

    • @georgeneil440
      @georgeneil440 9 месяцев назад

      @jonwragg3822 It is only Octopus now but there will be others that follow their lead in the future

  • @justme5384
    @justme5384 9 месяцев назад

    9:08 we need to have the AC safety switch on the outside and accessible by the DNO and the location of the safety switch is written in the meter box

  • @TheErador
    @TheErador 9 месяцев назад +2

    This is literally ISO9001 by the back door

  • @andyhodchild8
    @andyhodchild8 9 месяцев назад +1

    I always did my own qms based on the old Apendix A built out in an excel spreadsheet.

  • @AntonyoKnight
    @AntonyoKnight 9 месяцев назад +2

    Efixx explained this much shorter (I understand RUclips analytics) so it was quite informative. In future Solar installation certificate will be binned along with the ev charger installer course and the manufacturers provide free trainings for their products.

  • @richardwhitehouse8762
    @richardwhitehouse8762 9 месяцев назад

    I had pvs installed in 2019. Initially the export was a doddle and between April and September 2020, I didn't spend anything on utilities. When the retail market was upended I became a British Gas customer by default. ARGH! I waited until last year to become a customer of Octopus. Much preferred them (agile tariffs etc). BUT. It took me a while to realise that I wasn't actually signed up for pv exports with them (don't ask). When it finally dawned on me I started to learn about the flexiorb Vs MCs connundrum. That was in Feb and at that point Octopus were adamant they would only accept MCS. I was looking at having one supplier for utility imports and another for exports. So I moved. To be honest I don't get the best export rate and it's only paid annually, so maybe even it's paid next year I'll move back.
    Given that solar pvs (particularly post feed in tariff) are a relatively new industry, you'ld think that there could have been some thinking beforehand about how to make it all seemless. Or not.
    Sorry to hear about your experience of Just wanted to share the pain. Love your channel.😊

  • @johnjones-priorityservices3094
    @johnjones-priorityservices3094 9 месяцев назад +3

    I understand your frustration, went through the process last year and got MCS - not worth the accreditation as I’ve fixed loads of bad MCS installs

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад

      was a frustrating experience, at least for us anyway.

  • @nathanairey7795
    @nathanairey7795 5 месяцев назад

    Hi Jordan,
    I see you used SPD's for the install at the Inverter side, did you also have them 10m from the Install as well as per reg 534.4. 4.2 or only the ones visible in the video?

  • @zenthor13
    @zenthor13 9 месяцев назад +1

    So those solar panels mounted in the back ground are just what I thought I needed for my flat roof. Up here in Surrey / Kent I couldn’t find an installer interested in using that system - any advice please?

  • @olski001
    @olski001 9 месяцев назад +3

    Do you have to export? Can you prevent it and store and manage your own energy? With V2H (supposedly) around the corner and over 100Kw of battery storage on my drive, why would I want to make back pennies?

  • @AUBigwozza
    @AUBigwozza 4 месяца назад

    Great Video. Even though I'm in Australia and about to install a 19K solar array I found this really useful. Down here we tend to rely on Finn Peacock of Solar Quotes for our info, but its good to to hear what is going on in "ol Blighty"

  • @guffermeister
    @guffermeister 9 месяцев назад

    AS per usual with these things they grow legs. It's fine for the throw it in and run brigades. As the IET is so slow to respond it probably made sense, but these stuff should just be part of the wiring regs, so having it done like that probably made some sense initially. Be worth looking at what other countries do? We do love our red tape in the UK....

  • @janholland2224
    @janholland2224 9 месяцев назад

    I am in IT and IT security where we have quite a lot of these formal schemes (way too much). The good news is they all boil down to the same thing so your effort is not wasted. Don't try to derive any useful meaning from these schemes as they are primarily formal (not necessarily reality relevant). I hope MCS or similar schemes will offer you at least some sales leads? Cheers, Jan

  • @timahad5165
    @timahad5165 9 месяцев назад +3

    So glad I never bothered with MCS (money collection services)

  • @shuhel02
    @shuhel02 9 месяцев назад

    8:00 - Adding the DC isolator switch is common sense. Follow the manufacturers guideline to keep the inverter warranty valid should be top priority.

  • @user-kw6kq7zu3r
    @user-kw6kq7zu3r 9 месяцев назад +1

    Great vid,as a spark i decided to go down solar 10yrs ago,mcs through niceic.only ended doing 8 installs before they dropped the fit to 4p and the work dried up.glad i learnt something new,big outlay and loads of paperwork but glad im out of it.

  • @markrainford1219
    @markrainford1219 9 месяцев назад

    Excellent video, and well done to Octopus Energy.

  • @SteveN-pw4dj
    @SteveN-pw4dj 9 месяцев назад +6

    It's amazing how all these schemes to protect customers cost them a fortune. This green thing is one big con at the moment.

    • @VinoVeritas_
      @VinoVeritas_ 9 месяцев назад

      It's not a con.

    • @SteveN-pw4dj
      @SteveN-pw4dj 9 месяцев назад

      So why is it i can go to wolsleys and buy a vaillant heat pump for about 7k with my own plumber installing it of around a grand.... But i'm not allowed to because i cant get it certified.... 5 grand extra for a bit of paper.. Really...

    • @VinoVeritas_
      @VinoVeritas_ 9 месяцев назад

      @@SteveN-pw4dj This is about solar PV installation, not heat pumps.

    • @SteveN-pw4dj
      @SteveN-pw4dj 9 месяцев назад

      It's the same with them, I can't just let my electrician do it as he doesn't have the correct certificates. And it needs to be registered with the DNO which only a certified installer can do.

    • @VinoVeritas_
      @VinoVeritas_ 9 месяцев назад

      @@SteveN-pw4dj Can you tell me which certification is required when applying for a G99 connection or making a G98 notification? ERECs G98 and G99 will help you.

  • @benjaminvivar7855
    @benjaminvivar7855 8 месяцев назад

    8:25 Here in the States we follow the manufactures instructions,
    Why ? Because Lawyers can also read.
    But… if it’s an added safety issue it will be in the code and manufacturers
    Will eventually install according to National Electrical Code.

  • @haydnlawrence8167
    @haydnlawrence8167 9 месяцев назад +1

    Same thing happened over a decade ago.
    Sparky I know paid thousands for courses, registration and additional tools . Then after half a dozen installs , the government dropped the feed in tariffs, ending the solar install business overnight.

  • @bernardcharlesworth9860
    @bernardcharlesworth9860 Месяц назад

    Yes also MCS. Needs to be simplified . Could be all done on a spreadsheet including items like risk assessment,wind loading, lightning assessment etc. Have had a customer ask me to look at his install and it also exposed that MCS not really working because 5 hrs of paperwork is not going into the tools making a nice job.

  • @SimplifyingChaos
    @SimplifyingChaos 9 месяцев назад +2

    Just like yourself but from a customer point of view, I have just had solar installed by a certified MCS installer because I needed the cert to register with Octopus.
    On one hand, I am frustrated, that Octopus have dropped the MCS requirement, because I could have saved a lot of money as I am more than capable of doing my own install.
    On the other hand, I really hope that by dropping the MCS it allows more people to have solar.
    I am a big advocate for solar and I think this will allow more of it.
    Talking on a plus point of the MCS, it is about process, planning and procedures, which I found really helped from our certified installers. As a customer we had all the info and specs of what was being installed. Having this information allowed us to relax and be assured that what we ordered was right for our home and usage.
    I know you feel you have gained your MCS qualification at the wrong time but I would look at the process as a whole and see what has improved the customer experience and then I guess you can drop the bits that you feel are not beneficial to you or the customer.
    I do have a prediction: although Octopus have dropped MCS as a requirement, what would stop insurance companies making it a requirement? Octopus has stated that "they" wont be held accountable for poor installs. Just a thought.

    • @VinoVeritas_
      @VinoVeritas_ 9 месяцев назад

      MCS certification is not required by law. There's even a statement on its website stating such. Insurance companies were led to believe that MCS certification is some kind of guarantee, but just like Octopus Energy, they'll soon start to question it.

  • @ianbeck5897
    @ianbeck5897 9 месяцев назад

    Being honest, as a customer, what you stated in your video gave me some confidence that installers have been measured to meet a certain standard and that by conforming, there is a chance that the installation will be reasonable. Obviously, this doesn't police what actually happens on site, but it does establish a standard that many installers will work to. As a retired electrical engineer, I understand what is and is not safe, at least in my specialism. The average customer wont be in a position to do that so benefits from the overseeing of some outside agency.
    If MCS is fit for purpose is another matter - but what you have described makes sense to me, even if it may appear over the top.
    Having run my own business I do appreciate that accreditation comes with significant cost and that this comes off the bottom line. I also get that many of these licences and certificates are basically quangos that seem to offer nothing. It is, however, how the wheels of commerce work and buys a seat at the table and the customer ends up paying for these but, in return, gets some assurance that the installer meets some common standard, even if cowboys find a way around it.
    As for Octopus - they are forward thinking and realise that there are many ways to get revenue, some not involving MCS. It's fine if you are an Octopus customer to not have an MCS install. However, if you are not or if you choose to move, it may be that another energy supplier requires an MCS approved installation so the customer is stuffed if MCS is not stamped.

  • @adamsmithelec
    @adamsmithelec 9 месяцев назад

    I was considering getting into PV installs but I don’t think I’ll bother now! I live in London zone 2 so don’t think there’s a huge market for it round here and I’m sure there any many companies to compete with already!
    Think I’ll stick with domestic and light commercial for now

  • @theresistancesparks
    @theresistancesparks 9 месяцев назад +2

    Interesting to see you guys installed so many systems without MCS backing! In terms of alternatives - there is always the other government approved scheme for renewables with DNO gateway - Flexi-Orb?

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад +2

      Glad you enjoyed the video! and glad you got what you wanted in the end.

    • @theresistancesparks
      @theresistancesparks 9 месяцев назад +2

      @@artisanelectrics So, if I understood that bit in the video correctly - when you register to MCS via NICEIC route you have to sign up to two separate schemes? One for PV and one for battery storage?

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад +1

      Yes you would be correct

  • @Sparks1Plumbers0
    @Sparks1Plumbers0 9 месяцев назад

    Now.... that was funny😅
    The Jordan Effect strikes again... 😎

  • @Jim804
    @Jim804 9 месяцев назад +1

    Nice garden!

  • @fire_stick
    @fire_stick 9 месяцев назад

    so glad i’m with Octopus energy, I assume a home owner can notify the DNO of a system connected to the grid without and not just an electrician. will have to check the G forms.

  • @ciaranflynn6291
    @ciaranflynn6291 9 месяцев назад

    I totally understand why MCS require a DC isolator. It's the safest "catch-all" scenario. It's rare that the inverter has that built-in.

  • @Poxenium
    @Poxenium 9 месяцев назад +7

    All this needs to be plug and play. Paperwork and certifications are dumb. You don't need certifications to plug in a 1500 watt hair dryer or vacuum cleaner... UPS... etc...

    • @Brmbaz1
      @Brmbaz1 9 месяцев назад

      That’s very true.

  • @Spark101.
    @Spark101. 9 месяцев назад +5

    Great news……although it looks like energy providers might move away from this scheme soon!

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад +1

      We got it which is good but at the wrong time 🕰️

  • @1humac
    @1humac 9 месяцев назад

    If ever a video needed a "keep watching to the end" it's this one! I mean that in a good way!

  • @fastcutsounds
    @fastcutsounds 8 месяцев назад

    My installer is supposed to get their MCS accreditation next month but my PV / battery system went in last week, so in the meantime I approached Octopus (already my supplier) about this change in the Ts and Cs and to get on the Flux tariff. Firstly, I had to speak to someone on the phone as you can't do the regular online application without an MCS certificate. I was sent a link to an online form where I could register my interest to hear when I could apply. It is very much a trial for them to work out the best way of doing it, and yes it will cost £250 with no guarantee of acceptance.

  • @HYUKLDER1
    @HYUKLDER1 9 месяцев назад +1

    From what you say, it seems MCS is more like an ISO quality system standard rather than an engineering standard.

  • @Beariam24
    @Beariam24 9 месяцев назад

    I feel your pain.
    Iv paid a company to carry out the difficult paperwork, paid for MCS and now just paid to up date my qualifications which elapsed 2 months ago all to get it with assessment next month. I could of used this massive chunk of money in better ways for my business and family and now all I had to say was go with octopus energy, can’t believe it

  • @petermounsey6189
    @petermounsey6189 9 месяцев назад

    Thanks for another interesting and informative video. Your initial gut feeling was correct, it's all a sham.

  • @Ewanl31
    @Ewanl31 9 месяцев назад

    Surely with paperclip not having the correct paperwork for what is basic installations nowadays you can look to cancel off the contract if that paperwork isn't available.

  • @retroclickmedia4422
    @retroclickmedia4422 9 месяцев назад +3

    Had this 30 years ago for BS5750, money for the boys

  • @sammyb99
    @sammyb99 9 месяцев назад

    We’ve doing this on the heat pump side but what a faff. I guess the only bonus is that because not a lot of people have gone down mcs it means can charge for it

  • @steveday6104
    @steveday6104 9 месяцев назад

    Could not agree more. Our process to get approved was a complete nightmare as like you said the admin side is full on.
    Octopus announcement is very interesting, watch this space then ???

  • @t67m
    @t67m 9 месяцев назад +1

    I tend to agree. My solar system by an "approved" installer was poorly done, overheated and failed after 15 months. They did repair it, but it was nearly a consumer unit fire, and there was consequential damage to other systems.

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад +1

      That's concerning to hear. It's crucial that "approved" installers maintain high standards, especially for something as critical as solar systems. Safety should never be compromised.

  • @sarahjrandomnumbers
    @sarahjrandomnumbers 8 месяцев назад

    And people wonder why I just DIY installed my battery system.
    Didn't want to spend an extra £3k on pointless red tape. DNO is happy with my G98 form, just waiting for Octopus to sort their stuff out so I can get an export MPAN.
    Now I just have to wait until some local sparky's (Leicester based) want to dip their toe into renewables, and are happy to throw 4 500w panels on my brick walled shed roof. Already got 500w on there, so rip them out, and over panel 2kw.:)

  • @Pulpdiction1999
    @Pulpdiction1999 9 месяцев назад

    Great timing as Octopus have announced they will take non MCS accredited installs.....

  • @scottcoleman2660
    @scottcoleman2660 9 месяцев назад

    It’s amazing how similar my experience of this is. Only difference would be went with easy mcs but that just feels like let another firm skimming off the industry. We’re now in a situation where if we sack it off at the end of the year will something happen that’ll make us regret it. On the flip side, we’ve won jobs as a result of being mcs so maybe it still holds value 🤷‍♂️

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад

      I totally get where you're coming from. Weighing the pros and cons of MCS can be challenging. If it's bringing in jobs, it might still have its value, but it's all about finding the right balance for your situation.

  • @yellownev
    @yellownev 9 месяцев назад

    If it's complicated for you ( and it sounds horrendously so ) what about the customers - how are we supposed to know who to use and what qualifications they should have and indeed how the job should be done ! You have my utmost sympathy dealing with all this slow time, behind the curve bureaucracy . I thought the Octopus announcement was only for certain pre approved installs on a trial basis ?

  • @mondotv4216
    @mondotv4216 9 месяцев назад

    That’s crazy. I accept that you need to use approved panels and inverters but the amount of paperwork just adds cost to the consumer. You don’t have to jump through that many hoops for a whole house install which us much more complicated.

  • @misstertash1701
    @misstertash1701 9 месяцев назад +3

    I am yet to hear anyone receive anything from Octopus without an MCS certificate. (Apart form being put on a waiting list). Also, as much as I dislike the MCS process, I believe that removing the need for it would lead to even more poor installations.
    It would be interesting to see if they offer the top export deals or a lower one if you do not have an MCS certificate.

    • @MrBobmeadows
      @MrBobmeadows 9 месяцев назад +1

      Definitely have heard of Octopus allowing non-MCS sites to get 'SEG' type payments. Actual clients who applied have documented the Octopus approval, explaining it was a little more extended at the time.

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад

      It was definitely good for us to get MCS approved, just was at the wrong time

    • @misstertash1701
      @misstertash1701 9 месяцев назад

      We thought exactly the same thing as you to be honest. It was a little insulting how the assessor went through all of our paper work like we had committed a crime. Yet the he turned up at the job, said yeah that looks really nice and then went home. However I am still not 100% sure that loosing the MCS will be a good thing for the industry, unless it is replaced with something better obviously. @@artisanelectrics

    • @misstertash1701
      @misstertash1701 9 месяцев назад

      What export tariff were they allowed on? The same export as an MCS installation. Like FLUX for example? @@MrBobmeadows

  • @highlandsparky
    @highlandsparky 9 месяцев назад +1

    It’s not much different to NAPIT, NIC, SELECT etc, you can still carry out electrical works, without being in a registered body.
    Although being in one is beneficial for many reasons, you know you have correct insurances, valid insurances, as well as correct procedures in place.

  • @paulizz
    @paulizz 9 месяцев назад +3

    Try doing ISO 9001 :)

  • @rich1483
    @rich1483 9 месяцев назад +1

    So how much money to get the registration for a small buisness?

  • @justme5384
    @justme5384 9 месяцев назад

    You know what license I need to install solar? Just the regular license I have that is one license, I can install anything below 1000VAC and 1500VDC and work as a electrician. And my employee's needs to have done a three year trade school or equivalent in trade working. They don't need any licenses or anything, I'm responsible for them

  • @richardmarkham8369
    @richardmarkham8369 9 месяцев назад

    MCS: Nice paperwork, shame about your leaking roof!

  • @davidreece1642
    @davidreece1642 9 месяцев назад

    Well done Octopus.

  • @Jigallo264
    @Jigallo264 9 месяцев назад

    We have been MCS certified since it’s existed. It’s a testing scheme but is important for controlling everyone. I don’t mind the audits, paperwork or associated additional works caused by MCS.

  • @mikeselectricstuff
    @mikeselectricstuff 9 месяцев назад +1

    Grid export seems poor value for money for your solar investment due to the rates paid - seems like it would be better to go solar+battery with no export so you don't need MCS.

  • @NikumbaUK
    @NikumbaUK 9 месяцев назад

    When I had my solar installed just over a year ago I was not aware of the MCS requirement for Octopus so initially I was not able to get the SEG from them.
    The company I bought my system from was certified by Flexi-Orb so my install is registered under the scheme which Octopus did not support, however where MCS gets silly I think is the people who installed my solar are MCS certified, but since they did not own the contract to install the solar they could not certify it for MCS.
    That just boggled the mind if the installer is MCS certified, install it to those standard but can not give me a cert for it is crazy but oh well.
    As you say in your video with Octopus not needing MCS should change things a lot, also will open the door I think to more things like micro wind turbines on homes and hopefully push domestic renewables forward.

    • @markrainford1219
      @markrainford1219 9 месяцев назад

      Micro wind turbines on homes was a fad twenty years ago, they even sold them in B&Q. They produced pathetic amounts of energy, packed up within two years and created airborne noise pollution, and transmitted noise via vibration through the building.

    • @NikumbaUK
      @NikumbaUK 9 месяцев назад

      20 years ago maybe, but technology changes, of course I am sure local planning laws are still in the dark ages so might hamper things, but this change would give more people to look at other options, especially if they can get paid for it. @@markrainford1219

  • @ryannowell3802
    @ryannowell3802 9 месяцев назад

    I am not sure if it is the same in England but in Scotland your customers need you to be MCS accredited so that they can apply for the grant/loan scheme. So even if it is not worth having as an installer it's a big selling point for the customer (at least in Scotland)

    • @ryannowell3802
      @ryannowell3802 9 месяцев назад

      If you want I would be happy to discuss what is required from a customer stand point because it is also not straightforward and is confusing!

    • @VinoVeritas_
      @VinoVeritas_ 9 месяцев назад

      The 0% loan scheme is now only available for solar PV when installed with a heat pump. Customers that qualified for the 0% loan scheme also paid well above the odds.

  • @lnostdal
    @lnostdal 9 месяцев назад +1

    This is why I go for an off-grid (hybrid inverter that doesn't feed back to grid at all; basically 0 paperwork needed here) and just use a Bitcoin miner to sell extra energy. 15kW, 30kWh. Leaning on government is just going to screw everyone over eventually IMO.

  • @zxrjimmy1
    @zxrjimmy1 9 месяцев назад

    Same as SEAI here in Ireland

  • @robtheplod
    @robtheplod 9 месяцев назад

    Any training or quality assurance needs to be attainable free otherwise theres always doubt over it?

  • @bromwichbloke
    @bromwichbloke 9 месяцев назад +2

    For your quality management system you could approach a company called citation based in Norwich who will walk you through the ISO 9001 process and write your manual and procedures.

  • @jamieblatantsparky
    @jamieblatantsparky 9 месяцев назад +10

    Got to say I feel for you on this one Jordan , you got mugged off you spent probably 10k and you just gave it all away in a 12 minuet video as well as then octopus saying MCS is no longer required and the fact your about to get slammed by MCS for slagging them off that is against the T&C,s it’s always been a protection racket and the hero’s are octopus , meanwhile I’ve been slamming in batteries at 2k Profit a pop for months without even PART P

  • @voltare2amstereo
    @voltare2amstereo 9 месяцев назад

    advantage to having it, though. Is you can proove to customers, your installs are legit. You quality check the install, not the customer, who lets face it, don't know and don't care, so long as insurance pays out if a battery fails catastrophically

  • @chrisyoung7362
    @chrisyoung7362 9 месяцев назад +1

    Ocptopus are doing the right thing ridding MCS for SEG payments, more customers for them at the end of the day. The DNO need to tighten their belt, maybe allow financial penalties "cough Ofgem" for systems connected to the grid outside of theyre scope of approval otherwise people can manipulate more power to Increase SEG payments i.e adding more solar than capacity allows, surely disrupts harmonics of the grid? which is my opinion anyway

  • @CShand
    @CShand 9 месяцев назад

    This literally sounds like my corporate mining industry with the quality management system ect. It's literally paper work over practical quality.

  • @marymadigan9707
    @marymadigan9707 9 месяцев назад

    Nice one 👏🇮🇪

  • @michaeldickson3314
    @michaeldickson3314 9 месяцев назад

    This sounds like quality assurance ISO 9001 document control.

  • @gavjlewis
    @gavjlewis 9 месяцев назад +2

    Getting rid of MSC will be the game charger for the solar business.
    Why are we currently using expensive electricians on roofs! You will be able to work with a roofing contractor so they can install the panels. They will be quicker and cheaper freeing up electricians so you can get more installs done per week.

  • @timballam3675
    @timballam3675 9 месяцев назад

    Where Octopus lead the others follow, British Gas now giving 1/2 price electricity for part of Sunday to try and compete with Octopus and advertising it massively! How about they pay the same amount for feed in?

  • @ParksElectrical
    @ParksElectrical 9 месяцев назад

    Just called Octopus, and at this time they are only considering dropping the MCS requirements and it is yet to be decided. Currently you still need an MCS certificate to be paid for export.

    • @markrainford1219
      @markrainford1219 9 месяцев назад +1

      It's already on their website under Export Tariff Eligibility section 5.8

  • @floridahummer
    @floridahummer 9 месяцев назад

    thing is most people, ie joe blog dont understand if you grab a DC power line your not letting go were as AC it at least throws you of,

  • @TheMiniMammoth
    @TheMiniMammoth 9 месяцев назад +1

    Amazing timing 😂

  • @endisforever22
    @endisforever22 9 месяцев назад +2

    Hasn't MCS just been nerfed by Octopus basically as far as im aware they have changed there policies and are now allowing non MCS installs to get SEG as far as im concerned this is a good thing MCS from what i have seen on installs does not mean quality. id just advise anyone getting an install to do research on the company they are using to make sure they do good work above anything else

    • @artisanelectrics
      @artisanelectrics  9 месяцев назад

      Yes the Octopus announcement has nerfed MCS a lot 👍

  • @imark7777777
    @imark7777777 9 месяцев назад

    Yeah I think the problem is in the name where it says "scheme" like why are you including self-destruct buttons on your inventions?

  • @ecoterrorist1402
    @ecoterrorist1402 9 месяцев назад

    Google drive - forget paper thing and other software, it offers version no

  • @SimplySketchyGT
    @SimplySketchyGT 9 месяцев назад +1

    Then along came Octopus Energy to shake things up 🤪 no more MCS required.

  • @jacopo.scarpellini
    @jacopo.scarpellini 9 месяцев назад

    Not needed and required are not conflicting requirement, right?