If you’re considering solar panels or battery storage for your home, you’ll probably come across the letters MCS.
But what does MCS actually mean, and why should it matter when choosing who installs your renewable energy system?
At Greenio, we believe homeowners should feel confident not only in the technology they are buying, but also in the company designing and installing it.
The latest MCS requirements strengthen the standards installers must meet and place even greater emphasis on protecting customers throughout the entire process – from the initial quotation and system design through to installation, commissioning, warranties and aftercare.
For homeowners, that’s good news.
What is MCS?
MCS – the Microgeneration Certification Scheme – is the recognised quality assurance scheme covering small-scale renewable technologies in the UK.
For technologies such as solar PV and battery storage, MCS establishes standards covering both the technical installation and the way certified installers operate.
Choosing an MCS-certified installer therefore isn’t simply about having the right certificate at the end of the job.
It means choosing a business that must demonstrate appropriate standards throughout the customer journey.
At Greenio, we see that as an important distinction.
A renewable energy system is a significant investment in your property. You should know what you’re buying, understand how it has been designed and have confidence that the business installing it will be there to support you afterwards.
Greater protection for homeowners
The latest MCS framework places significant emphasis on consumer protection.
Before entering into a contract, customers should be provided with clear information about the proposed installation, including what is being supplied, expected performance, costs, warranties, financial protection and the responsibilities of both the installer and homeowner.
The aim is simple: customers should be able to make an informed decision before committing to an installation.
That means greater transparency around areas such as:
- the equipment being installed;
- system size and specification;
- expected system performance;
- assumptions used when estimating generation and savings;
- total installation costs;
- payment arrangements;
- deposit protection;
- workmanship protection;
- cancellation rights;
- changes to the agreed installation;
- warranties and guarantees;
- maintenance requirements;
- complaints and dispute resolution;
- installation, commissioning and handover documentation.
At Greenio, we welcome this approach.
We believe customers should understand exactly what they are investing in.
More realistic information about solar performance
One of the most important parts of buying solar is understanding what the system is realistically expected to do.
There can be a big difference between saying:
“Solar will save you money.”
and providing a properly designed system supported by realistic performance estimates.
An MCS-compliant solar proposal considers factors such as the size of the system, panel orientation and inclination, shading and expected annual generation.
Where appropriate, household electricity consumption and expected self-consumption can also be considered.
If battery storage is included, its usable capacity and expected contribution to increasing the amount of solar energy used within the property also become important.
This is particularly important because every home is different.
At Greenio, we don’t believe in designing a system simply around how many panels can physically fit on a roof.
We look at the property, the customer’s electricity consumption, how and when they use electricity and what they want the system to achieve.
The right renewable energy system should be designed around the customer – not around a standard sales package.
Greater protection for your investment
The strengthened MCS framework also places greater emphasis on financial protection for domestic customers.
For qualifying domestic installations, MCS-approved financial protection arrangements provide additional protection around areas such as deposits and workmanship.
Greenio has arrangements in place with an approved financial protection provider so that the appropriate protection can be provided alongside qualifying installations.
This is an important distinction.
A solar PV and battery installation can represent a considerable investment. Customers should therefore ask any installer they are considering:
- What happens if something goes wrong?
- What workmanship protection do I receive?
- Is my deposit protected?
- Who provides that protection?
- What documentation will I receive?
A reputable installer should be comfortable answering those questions.
Your roof matters too
Installing solar panels isn’t simply an electrical job.
The equipment may remain on your roof for decades, which means the condition and suitability of the roof and the proposed mounting arrangement need to be properly considered.
A responsible installer should consider whether the building is suitable for the proposed installation and whether further structural assessment is required.
There may be occasions when Greenio recommends additional investigation before we’re prepared to install.
That can sometimes feel frustrating when a homeowner is keen to get started, but we’d rather identify a potential issue before installation than discover it afterwards.
Our responsibility isn’t to put solar panels on as many roofs as possible. It’s to install the right system safely and properly.
What happens if something changes?
Renewable energy projects occasionally change between the original proposal and installation.
A survey might uncover something unexpected. A component may need changing. Additional electrical work might be required. The final system design could need adjusting.
Under the MCS customer protection framework, significant changes shouldn’t simply appear unexpectedly on installation day.
Where an important change affects the agreed system, price, performance or installation, it should be properly communicated and documented.
That’s another reason Greenio operates a structured survey and design process.
We want customers to know what is happening and why.
Proper commissioning and handover
Finishing the physical installation isn’t the end of the job.
A professionally installed renewable energy system needs to be tested, commissioned and properly handed over.
Customers should understand how their system operates and receive the appropriate documentation associated with their installation.
Depending upon the system, this can include information covering:
- system design and specification;
- equipment manuals;
- warranties;
- commissioning;
- electrical certification;
- MCS certification;
- DNO documentation;
- Building Regulations requirements;
- financial protection;
- system operation;
- maintenance;
- emergency shutdown procedures.
At Greenio, we want customers to understand the technology we’ve installed rather than simply being handed a folder of documents they never look at.
Why choosing the installer matters
Solar panels, batteries and inverters are important.
But they’re only part of a successful renewable energy installation.
Who designs and installs the system matters just as much as the equipment itself.
Two companies can quote for similar-looking equipment and deliver very different outcomes.
The quality of the survey, design, mounting system, electrical installation, commissioning, documentation and aftercare all matter.
That’s why Greenio has deliberately positioned itself as an engineering-led renewable energy installer rather than simply a solar sales company.
We want to understand the property and the customer’s objectives before recommending the solution.
Sometimes that means recommending a different system.
Sometimes it means carrying out further investigation.
And occasionally it means telling a customer that something needs resolving before we’re prepared to install.
We believe that’s what a trusted installer should do.
Questions to ask before choosing a solar installer
Planning a solar installation?
Talk to Greenio
Contact us about your project
Before committing to any solar PV or battery installation, ask the installer:
- Are you MCS certified for the technology you’re installing?
- Who will actually carry out the installation?
- How have you calculated the expected system performance?
- Have you assessed the suitability of my roof?
- What happens if the design changes after I sign the contract?
- How is my deposit protected?
- What workmanship protection will I receive?
- Who do I contact if there is a problem after installation?
- What documentation will I receive when the installation is complete?
If an installer struggles to answer those questions clearly, think carefully before proceeding.
The Greenio approach
For Greenio, MCS certification isn’t something we want customers to see simply as a logo on a quotation.
It’s part of a much wider commitment to doing things properly.
Our approach is built around:
Survey. Design. Explain. Install. Commission. Support.
We believe renewable energy should be approached as a long-term investment rather than a quick sale.
Whether you’re considering solar PV, battery storage, EV charging or a combination of technologies, we’ll take the time to understand what you’re trying to achieve and recommend an appropriate solution.
And if we believe something isn’t right, we’ll tell you.
That’s how we believe trust is built.
Thinking about solar or battery storage?
If you’re considering investing in renewable energy for your home, speak to Greenio before making your decision.
We can review your property, discuss your current and future electricity requirements and explain the options available without drowning you in technical jargon.
Greenio – engineering-led renewable energy, designed around you.
Visit greenio.co.uk
Call 0800 810 0565
Email info@greenio.co.uk