Certification 2
Developed by GTEC and Learning Lounge, MCS Made Easy provides a package of support, including tutorials, Q&As and real-life scenarios, covering the key requirements which need to be met in order to become MCS certified.
MCS is to consult on a new route to certification, removing one of the current barriers to participation in the scheme.
It has been just over three months since the government’s Green Homes Grant was rolled out for consumers and installers alike, yet the scheme has already been beset by teething problems. The most pressing issue is that of installer uptake and availability. Under its terms, installers must be Trustmark, PAS or MCS certified to carry out the eligible home improvements; however, consumer demand for the scheme has seemingly outstripped supply.
At the recent Solar & Storage 2020 live conference (2-4 Dec), one point that was consistently raised in the webinars was the critical role installers play in the road to net zero.
MCS launches new partnership with the Independent Warranty Association (IWA) to ease access to insurance backed guarantees (IBG)
Following the launch of the government’s Green Homes Grant on 30th September, Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, calls for improvements to be made for the long-term benefit of installers and consumers alike and highlights the challenges presented by the scheme;
“Since the launch of the Green Homes Grant, we have been fielding calls on a daily basis from installers seeking clarity and expressing their concerns over what they feel are flaws in the scheme.
MCS have collaborated with the Independent Warranty Association (IWA) and undertaken system development to enable contractors to raise an IBG for their consumer at the point of raising the MCS certificate for an installation.
A survey conducted by MCS has revealed that almost half of their certified contractors believe that the Green Homes Grant should be extended to 18 months or more.
National certification scheme MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) has published a new update of their Solar PV Standard. The timely new standard comes as strong signs of recovery can be seen after a turbulent 18-months for Solar PV installers.
The latest government update opening the new Green Homes Grant scheme up to domestic renewable technology installations including Heat Pumps and Solar Thermal, places MCS certified contractors at its core to ensure quality.
Heat is the largest single source of UK carbon emissions, accounting for over one-third whilst decarbonising heat stands as one of the most significant challenges in reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. To overcome this challenge it is vital business, government, regulators and communities work together to shape the policies and delivery mechanisms that will be needed.
The early signs of recovery witnessed in the UK’s domestic renewable energy installation market has positively continued into June as the country continues to emerge from lockdown.
The guide has been collaboratively crafted by MCS in partnership with Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC), Energy Saving Trust and Heat Pump Association (HPA). It streamlines advice by providing a single source of best practice on technical guidance and consumer protection.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is reporting early signs of a recovery in the domestic renewable installation market.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has called for a review of the limited £100 million funding that government has provisionally made available for its proposed Clean Heat Grant scheme (CHGS).
MCS is inviting installers to take part in a number of interactive webinar sessions designed to explain the impact of changes recently made to the scheme requirements.
The chief executive of MCS said he could see some early signs of recovery in the UK’s domestic renewable energy installation market as the government’s coronavirus lockdown restrictions begin to lift, but warned investment in a green economy was needed to increase economic and environmental resilience.
It follows the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) launching the ‘Future support for low carbon heat’ consultation, detailing its proposals for support mechanisms following the closure of the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
Since the pandemic hit the UK, MCS has been working hard to support its certified Installer base – regularly sharing updates and guidance as well as continually surveying Installers to help provide feedback direct to the government.
Concerns about cash flow and the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have topped a survey of renewable energy installers by the MCS certification scheme.
MCS has launched a one-month consultation on changes to its installation standard for solar PV systems (MIS3002).
The Solar Trade Organisation has welcomed the introduction of the Smart Export Guarantee as a much-needed boost to the domestic solar PV market.
On 28 January 2013, MCS published the document MCS 023 (Additional Requirements for MCS Installers to become Green Deal Authorised). This document outlines the criteria, which all MCS installation companies who are assessed and certified against, in order to become registered for the microgen measures under Green Deal. MCS 023 was developed by MCS, working closely with both DECC and the relevant MCS committees.
