What is the MCS Certificate?Benefits of MCS Certificate for Solar PanelsAre All Solar Panel Installers MCS Certified?How to Confirm Your Solar Installer's MCS CertificationHow do You Get an MCS Certificate?What Other Certifications Matter for Solar Panel Installers?What Other Renewable Technologies are Covered by the MCS?Microgeneration Certification Scheme FAQs
What is the MCS Certificate?Benefits of MCS Certificate for Solar PanelsAre All Solar Panel Installers MCS Certified?How to Confirm Your Solar Installer's MCS CertificationHow do You Get an MCS Certificate?What Other Certifications Matter for Solar Panel Installers?What Other Renewable Technologies are Covered by the MCS?Microgeneration Certification Scheme FAQs
As you begin your research into solar panel installers, you'll likely encounter the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), a vital benchmark that ensures the quality and reliability of renewable energy installations.
This government-backed UK initiative is your key to ensuring that your solar panel installation meets the highest quality standards.
In this article, we'll look into the definition and purpose of MCS as well as other important certifications you should be aware of when choosing a solar panel installer.
The MCS Certificate, issued by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), is an official document that confirms your renewable energy installation meets rigorous industry standards for quality and safety.
Essentially, the MCS Certificate serves as a mark of assurance, validating that your installation complies with best practices and regulations, which is crucial for both performance and potential access to financial incentives like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) or the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS).
When considering solar panels for your home, obtaining an MCS certificate offers you several significant benefits:
Access to Smart Export Guarantee: With an MCS certificate, you gain access to Smart Export Guarantee tariffs, allowing you to earn money from the excess electricity your solar panels generate.
Perceived increase in Property Value: Professional installation by an MCS-certified installer could potentially boost the perceived value of your property. Potential buyers may appreciate the assurance of a quality solar system.
High-Quality Equipment: MCS certification ensures that your solar panels and related equipment meet rigorous quality standards. This means you're getting products that are safe, efficient and built to last.
Expert Installation: MCS-certified installers must demonstrate competence in designing, installing and commissioning solar PV systems. This expertise translates to a more reliable and efficient installation for you.
Improved Efficiency: MCS-certified installations typically result in higher output due to quality hardware and proper installation techniques. This means more energy production and greater savings on your electricity bills.
Fewer Issues: You could expect fewer malfunctions and problems with your solar panel system when it's installed by an MCS-certified professional. This reduces the likelihood of costly repairs and maintenance in the future.
Additional Safeguards: MCS-certified installers must be registered with a Trading Standards Institute Consumer Code. This provides you with extra protection if any issues arise with your solar panel installation.
Transparency: Certified installers are required to disclose all technical information to you before the sale including performance estimates and product datasheets. This ensures you're fully informed about your solar panel system.
Compliance with Regulations: MCS certification ensures your installation complies with current legislation and building regulations. This can be crucial if you decide to sell your property in the future.
Access to Incentives: While not legally required, an MCS certificate is often necessary to qualify for various financial incentives and schemes related to renewable energy. This keeps your options open for future benefits.
By choosing MCS-certified products and installers, you're investing in a solar panel system that offers peace of mind, quality assurance, and long-term benefits for your home and wallet.
As you explore your options for solar panel installation, you might wonder if all installers are MCS certified. The answer is no, not all solar panel installers are MCS certified.
While MCS certification is not a legal requirement for installing solar panels, it's highly recommended and offers significant benefits. When you choose an MCS-certified installer, you're ensuring that your installation meets rigorous quality and safety standards.
Without MCS certification, you may find it challenging to access financial benefits and might struggle to find customers if you're an installer yourself.
Therefore, while it's possible to find non-certified installers, opting for an MCS-certified professional, such as Glow Green, is generally in your best interest to guarantee quality and safety.
To confirm your solar installer's MCS certification, visit the official MCS website and use their installer search database.
Simply enter the installer's name and location, and the website will verify their certification status and provide their unique Certification Number.
Alternatively, you can call the MCS Helpdesk at 0333 103 8130 to directly check an installer's credentials.
When speaking with potential installers, don't hesitate to ask them to show their MCS certification as a reputable installer will be transparent about their accreditation.
To obtain an MCS certificate for your solar panels, you need to ensure your installation meets specific criteria.
Your solar panel system must be installed by an MCS-certified installer using MCS-certified products with a commissioning date after 15 July 2009. The installer will typically handle the certification process and should provide you with the MCS certificate within 10 working days of completing the installation.
You don't need to take any additional steps yourself - your chosen MCS-certified installer will manage the entire certification process.
If you don't receive your certificate within the specified timeframe, you can contact the MCS Helpdesk at 0333 103 8130 for assistance.
Beyond MCS certification, several other accreditations are important for solar panel installers in the UK. Here are key certifications you should be aware of:
Flexi-Orb: This is a new certification scheme recognised by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). It covers installations of Solar PV up to 50kW, Electrical Energy Storage Systems and Electric Vehicle Charge Points. Flexi-Orb aims to improve standards and consumer confidence in renewable energy installations. It is very similar to MCS.
Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC): This code sets high consumer protection standards for businesses selling or leasing renewable energy generation systems to domestic consumers. RECC membership signals that an installer adheres to strict guidelines throughout the consumer journey.
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC): While primarily an electrical certification body, NICEIC approval is becoming increasingly relevant for solar installations. NICEIC-approved electricians possess skills that align closely with solar installation requirements, ensuring efficient and secure installations.
Home Insulation and Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES): HIES is another important certification for renewable energy installers, providing consumer protection and ensuring high standards in the industry.
Beyond solar panels, the Microgeneration Certification Scheme covers a variety of renewable energy technologies for your home or small business. Here's an overview of the other green technologies you can have installed under MCS certification:
You can opt for MCS-certified ground source or air source heat pumps. These efficient heating systems extract heat from the air or ground to warm your home.
If you're interested in using organic materials for heating, MCS covers biomass boilers and stoves. These systems burn wood pellets, chips or logs to provide heat.
For properties with suitable wind conditions, you can explore MCS-certified micro wind turbines to generate electricity.
In addition to solar photovoltaic panels, MCS also certifies solar thermal systems, which use the sun's energy to heat water for your home.
These systems simultaneously generate heat and electricity which offers an efficient solution for your energy needs.
MCS has expanded to include certification for battery storage systems, such as the Tesla Powerwall 3, which allows you to store excess energy generated by your renewable technologies.
The MCS is a government-backed quality assurance scheme that certifies renewable energy products and installers in the UK, ensuring they meet rigorous standards for safety, quality and performance.
While not legally required, an MCS certificate is necessary if you want to qualify for government incentives like the Smart Export Guarantee and is generally recommended to ensure quality and consumer protection.
Your MCS-certified installer will handle the certification process and should provide you with the MCS certificate within 10 working days of completing the installation.
MCS certification ensures high-quality equipment, expert installation, improved system efficiency and access to government incentives which provides you with peace of mind and potentially better long-term performance of your solar panel system.
Yes, you can install solar panels without MCS certification, but you may not be eligible for certain financial incentives, and it may be harder to ensure the quality and reliability of the installation.
Glow Green is a MCS-certified installer but you can find more installers through the official MCS website or by using comparison tools provided by reputable energy advice websites.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme was established in 2007 to support the growing microgeneration industry in the UK.
