The purchasing cooperatives for roofing contractors support businesses wishing to enter the lucrative business area of photovoltaic panels. We will explain step-by-step how this works, taking as our example the master roofer Marc Clemens.
We at the ZEDACH Group promote the topic of photovoltaic panels in the roofing sector jointly with manufacturers, roofers and carpenters. All five of the roofers’ purchasing cooperatives support their members and customers, from the advice and planning stage, through technology and sales to actual training sessions.
We intend to do everything we can to ensure that this important component of the energy revolution remains in the hands of our businesses and is not left to specialist installers. To do so, we act in close cooperation with roofing trade associations.
Entering the business segment of PV systems: Marc Clemens
Marc Clemens started with a one-week additional training session to become PV Manager at BBZ Mayen, where he had also done his training to become a master roofer. “It was a helpful introduction to the topic and the problems were explained. You can’t really teach yourself all of it. And it’s also a good basis for advising customers.”
As his first project, Marc Clemens chose his own family home, for practice and testing the theory, so to speak. And only once everything had run smoothly there did he launch the business of also installing PV panels for customers. The roofing master did not need to provide much training for his five employees, including one trainee. “We had already installed hooks on the roof for electricians, and actually that’s the hardest bit,” said Clemens.
Roofer purchasing takes on planning, calculations and supply of materials
The business obtains all its materials for the PV system from the Bergisch Gladbach branch of the DEG Alles für das Dach eG. “We are a member and usually buy our material from them,” says Marc Clemens. “Sourcing everything from the same place saves us time.” After a consultation with the customer, the master roofer fills out a checklist, all quite simple. “On the basis of data about snow load, wind uplift and the desired quantity of electricity to be generated, DEG employees calculate the statics of the sub-structure, placement of the hooks and the number of modules,” is how Marc Clemens explains the service.
Roofer concentrates on professional installation
The material is always available and is delivered direct to the site so that his team can concentrate fully on professional installation, using the specified plans.
Inform yourself directly – come to the ZEDACH Trade Fair stand
If you need support when launching a PV system business, or if you have any questions on the topic, do please visit our ZEDACH Trade Fair stand in Hall 4 – specialist advisers from the five purchasing cooperatives will be happy to answer your questions.
