If you’re considering a domestic solar panel system, partnering with a reputable installer should be your first concern.
An accredited installer will have the experience and know-how to get your system off the ground. Like Project Solar, they should have previous experience (and plenty of satisfied customers!) Most of all, they should be MCS-certified.
But what is an MCS certificate for solar panels? As a baseline for the quality and installation of small-scale energy technologies, MCS certification is about making sure that consumers receive the quality they have been promised.
What Is The MCS Certificate For Solar Panels?
The ‘Microgeneration Certification Scheme’ (MCS) was established in 2007. It is a UK-based quality assurance initiative for low-carbon energy technology products, such as heat pumps, small wind turbines and solar panels.
Small-scale renewables that are members of the MCS are effectively stamped with a mark of quality. For over 18 years, they have set the standard for UK products and their installation. To be MCS certified, your solar installation must meet specific criteria:
- Compliance date: The commissioning date of the installation should be after 15th July 2009.
- Approved products: All components used in the installation, including the solar panels and inverters, must have passed rigorous testing to meet MCS’s performance and safety standards.
- Installer: The PV system must be commissioned by an MCS-certified installation company.
What Makes The MCS Certificate So Vital?
MCS certifications are pivotal to the UK’s small-scale energy sector because, again, they serve as a benchmark for quality.
Under MCS 005 (The Solar PV Standard), solar products are certified and approved based on the results of independent third-party testing. These technologies must also meet the standards set out in MCS 010 (Product Quality Requirements).
Plus, homeowners may feel more assured when an installer is MCS certified. The certification serves as proof that they have partnered with a technology provider who has taken the time to pass such stringent assessments.
Essentially, they prove that the products are safe, long-lasting and functional.
What Are The Benefits Of Having An MCS certificate?
The MCS certification provides several valuable benefits, both for domestic and commercial installations:
Consumer protection
MCS installers must follow approved consumer codes, such as the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC), the Home Insulation & Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES), or the Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF).
Companies that are members of consumer codes offer better customer protection, particularly when it comes to dispute resolution and service guarantees.
Improved resale value
Did you know that potential buyers may favour properties with certified solar systems? Some studies have suggested that homes with solar panels can sell for more.
In fact, a detailed study conducted by Solar Energy UK (‘The Value of Solar Property’) found that homes fitted with solar PV achieve a higher sale price than equivalent homes without them.
The analysis cross-referenced millions of housing transactions held in the Land Registry with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme solar installation database and found that installing a solar PV system was associated with an average increase in sale price of around £1,800.
Access to SEG payments
The SEG is a government initiative that compensates homes for surplus renewable electricity exported back to the national grid. To guarantee access to a regulated SEG export tariff, you must partner with an MCS-certified installer.
Do All Solar Panels Need an MCS Certificate By Law?
Homeowners do not have to purchase MCS-certified solar panels, as a certificate is not required by law.
However, it’s highly encouraged. As mentioned, an MCS certification is often a prerequisite for accessing various financial incentives, such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Plus, it guarantees that the solar panel system follows the highest standards of UK energy technology and installation.
How Can You Verify That Your Solar Installer Is MCS Certified?
So, you’re considering a solar installer and want to know if they are MCS-certified. How do you confirm their status?
The MCS website has an easy-to-use online tool! You can access this verification service by visiting the MCS’s official ‘Find a Contractor‘ page, where you simply input the installer’s details to check their certification status.
How Do You Get Your MCS Certificate For Your Solar Panels?
To receive an MCS certificate for your solar panel system, you won’t need to apply for it yourself: your installer should handle the process. Once your installation is complete, the certificate should be issued within ten working days (provided they are both MCS-certified).
A reputable installer will typically issue the certificate without asking for it, but it’s still worth confirming this at the beginning of the process.
If, for any reason, your installer is no longer in business or has lost its certification status, you can obtain a copy of your MCS certificate directly from the MCS. However, this will require you to pay a small admin fee and provide proof of ownership.
It’s also worth noting that systems built using second-hand panels or those installed without an MCS accreditation cannot be certified after the fact.
What Are the Risks of Not Using an MCS-Certified Installer?
Choosing a non-MCS-certified installer could come with risks.
One immediate concern is the potential ineligibility for financial incentives such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG). Then, there’s the fact that installations by non-certified professionals may not meet established industry standards.
Plus, some manufacturers’ warranties require that products be installed by certified professionals – failing to do so may void the warranty coverage.
What Other Solar Accreditations are Important?
Consumers should also keep an eye out for the following accreditations and memberships:
- National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)
- Home Insulation and Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES)
- Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC)
- National Association of Professional Inspectors (NAPIT)
- The Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL) scheme
Are You Ready to Join the Solar Takeover?
Now that you know what you’re looking for, are you ready to partner with an MCS-certified solar installer?
As the UK’s top-rated solar panel installer, Project Solar is proud to hold the MCS certification. We’ve already helped 45,000 homes and businesses across the country reduce their carbon footprint.
To find out more about our MCS-certified installations and how we can support your solar journey, get in touch with our team.