What is the MCS certificate for solar panels?

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a government-backed UK initiative that was set up in 2007 to make sure small-scale renewable energy installations, like solar panels and heat pumps, meet universal quality standards.

What does MCs stand for in solar panels?

If you’ve already started researching solar panels, you will have seen the acronym ‘MCS’ floating around, which stands for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. This is a key tool in helping homeowners receive top-quality care when buying solar panels – and we’re here to clear up any confusion about the scheme.

Where can I find MCs-accredited solar panel installers in the UK?

If you're on the hunt for MCS-accredited solar panel installers in the UK, you'd be hard-pressed not to stumble across a nifty little online platform called Glow Green. Bridging the 4,000 mark in November 2023, the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) has charted a new high in its journey.

Are solar panels MCs accredited?

Unlike the Gas Safe Register, solar panel installers and suppliers are not required by law to be MCS accredited. Instead, the scheme rewards suppliers, installers, and products with a certificate if they meet a certain standard – reassuring customers that the product and service they’re investing in will be of a good quality.

Do solar PV installations need to be MCs certified?

Also, the Council of Mortgage Lenders has advised that, as a minimum to avoid the risk of a property being ineligible for a mortgage, both new and existing Solar PV installations must be MCS certified. All renewable energy products are examined by certification bodies against MCS manufacturing and testing standards.

What if a solar product or installer isn't MCs accredited?

If a solar product or installer isn’t MCS accredited, it’s worth being a bit cautious. Although it’s not a legal requirement for installers to be MCS accredited, consumers need to have a certificate for their solar panels if they are applying for financial funding through an incentive scheme, such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).