MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme), the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewables like solar panels and heat pumps, is now rolling out its redeveloped installer Scheme which includes a new suite of protections for consumers.
Lisa Cooke, Managing Director at MCS, explains how these requirements and formal recognition from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has reinforced MCS’s new role as a consumer protection organisation, as well as a standards body. Renewables are going from strength to strength in the UK, with the first half of 2026 the best ever for MCS certified installations. Solar panels surpassed 2 million total installations, and battery storage installations in the first six months of this year have almost equalled last year’s annual record.
As installation volumes rise, certification is crucial to giving consumers confidence in what are likely to be unfamiliar technologies, and providing assurance that protections are in place if something were to go wrong – all key to the continued growth of the industry. That’s why the redeveloped installer Scheme includes new, robust requirements for consumer protection.
Putting consumer protection at the heart of what we do
MCS has two roles in the industry – to set standards for low-carbon technologies and to provide consumer protection. MCS certification itself is a level of protection for households, demonstrating that you use products that have been designed, tested, and installed to industry-reocgnised standards. However, the redeveloped Scheme goes even further to protect consumers and provides the assurances needed to give them confidence to invest in renewable technologies.
For every domestic installation, installers will need to purchase an MCS approved financial protection product. They provide your customers with a higher standard of protection, including a guarantee of remediation for issues even if an installer goes out of business and cover for at least six years (far above the two-year standard minimum).
For installations businesses, they provide an effective safety net if something goes wrong, reduce ongoing liability thanks to dependable remediation pathways, and provide a competitive advantage for certified installers.
With MCS now managing complaints in-house, MCS is the single point of contact for consumers to report concerns about their installation if an agreement cannot be reached with their installer. This streamlines the process and allows us to support both consumers and MCS installers in reaching an acceptable outcome for all parties. If a resolution can’t be determined, cases will be referred to free and binding alternative dispute resolution (ADR). MCS will also be reaching out to every recipient of an MCS certified installation, asking about their experience and helping to drive continuous improvement across our installer base.
Formal recognition
In June, DESNZ formally recognised the consumer protection offered by the redeveloped installer Scheme as a Code of Practice for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), This means that, if an MCS certified installer is operating under the redeveloped Scheme, they no longer require membership to a consumer code to deliver installations under the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
An evolving industry
With renewables continuing to break records in the UK, ensuring that consumers feel protected and reassured in their investment is crucial to the continued confidence in home-grown energy. That is what MCS’s redeveloped installer Scheme aims to do.
As our current installer base works to the deadline of 31 March 2027 to move over to the redeveloped installer Scheme, installers looking to become certified for the first time will do so under the redeveloped Scheme. We encourage installers to learn more about how the redeveloped Scheme can benefit them and to prepare for the changes with the resources available on the MCS website. To find out more about how to get your business MCS certified, you can access MCS’ free interactive guide here: www.mcscertified.com/installers/viewour-guide-to-certification
