MCS certification shows that a small-scale renewable energy product, installer or installation meets the standards of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), the UK’s quality mark for home-grown energy. It covers technologies such as solar panels, solar water heating, heat pumps, biomass boilers and battery storage.
What it covers
MCS sets three kinds of standard:
| Standard | What it checks |
|---|---|
| Product | That equipment has been tested for performance and is made under controlled factory processes |
| Installer | That a business follows consumer protection rules from first enquiry to handover |
| Installation | That a system is designed and fitted correctly, using MCS-certified products |
The UK government set up MCS in 2006. It became independent of government in 2018 and is overseen by The MCS Foundation, a charity. MCS says more than 2.5 million certified systems have been installed in UK homes and small businesses.
Why it matters
Certification is often the key to public support:
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme. Installers must be MCS certified to apply for the grant on a property owner’s behalf.
- Smart Export Guarantee. For solar PV, wind and micro-CHP installations up to 50 kW, suppliers ask for an MCS certificate or an equivalent before paying for exported electricity.
An MCS certificate does not guarantee that a system is the right choice for a particular home or that it will deliver a promised saving. It shows that recognised standards were followed. Scheme rules change, so check GOV.UK and Ofgem for the current requirements; this is general information, not advice.
Read more: Solar panels for your home in the UK: costs, savings and how they work.