Microgeneration Certification Scheme
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is intended to ensure the quality of renewable technology installations and products. The scheme certifies low carbon and renewable energy technology products and installers in accordance with consistent standards, providing greater protection for consumers.
It was launched in 2008 and is the only certification scheme to cover all microgeneration products & services and is supported by UK Government bodies and NGOs. The ambition is to grow the microgeneration industry by applying these rigorous standards to the manufacture and installation of all the approved technologies.
When you buy renewable energy technology, you are protected by schemes that cover not just the products and their performance but also the services provided by the installers. For you to be eligible for the Feed-in-Tariff or the Renewable Heat Incentive, both your system and your installer will have to be accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
Renewable technologies that are covered by the MCS include:
• Solar PV
• Heat Pumps (Ground, Air and Water)
• Biomass
Work is also underway to finalise the standards for hydro turbines, combined heat & power and fuel cell products.
The aim of the MCS is to:
• Help build a rapidly growing and sustainable microgeneration industry based on quality and reliability.
• Make a substantial contribution to cutting the UK's dependency on fossil fuels and our carbon dioxide emissions.
• Provide consumer confidence that products and installers meet and continue to meet robust standards.
Trade associations are united in agreement that the MCS is developing and moving the market forward. Importantly, for consumers to be eligible for a grant a certified installer and product must be used for their microgeneration project; while the MCS mark enables consumers to identify the certified microgeneration companies.
The MCS also offers consumers confidence in energy equipment and services, which is especially important due to the high capital investment often required.
