Every solar installer's website says "MCS Certified". But what does it actually mean for you, the customer?
What MCS is
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is the UK's quality assurance scheme for renewable energy installations under 1 MW. It's government-approved and required for: - Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) registration - ECO4 grant funding - Boiler Upgrade Scheme (heat pumps) - Many local authority and trust funding programmes
In practice: if your installer isn't MCS, you can't access SEG income or any grant funding.
What MCS requires of installers
- Annual audit of installation quality
- Documented installation procedures
- Commissioning paperwork on every job
- Member of a Consumer Code (RECC, HIES) for dispute resolution
- Insurance to cover their work for 6 years
The audit is the most important bit. Random installs get site-inspected by MCS auditors. If too many fail, the installer loses certification.
How to verify
- mcscertified.com → search by company name → confirm certification status
- Ask to see their MCS number on the quote (real number, not "MCS-applied-for")
- Confirm they're also signed up to RECC (consumer dispute resolution)
Common dodges to watch out for
- "We're MCS through our parent company" — this is not how MCS works. Each trading entity must be certified separately.
- "We use an MCS subcontractor" — the certification covers the company that issues the MCS certificate. If the installer isn't MCS, the SEG application will be rejected.
- "MCS isn't required for cash buyers" — true that you don't need MCS to buy a solar system, but you need it to claim SEG income or any grant. Most "MCS-not-required" installers are saving on costs by skipping certification.
Our MCS number
Solar Maintenance Solutions Ltd carries MCS certification (number on every quote and certificate). RECC member. Audited annually. We have to be — about 30% of our customers fund through ECO4 or BUS grants where MCS is mandatory.