MCS Certification: nurturing home-grown energy

With energy costs forever rising and climate change affecting us all – low-carbon technology has a bigger and bigger role to play in the future of UK energy. Working with industry, we define, maintain and improve quality – certifying products and installers to ensure that people have confidence in the low-carbon technology they invest in. From solar and wind to heat pumps, biomass and battery storage, we want to inspire a new generation of home-grown energy, fit for the needs of every UK home and community. Since 2008, MCS certification has become the recognised UK standard for products and their installation in the small-scale renewables sector. We create and maintain standards that allow for the certification of products, installers and their installations. MCS certification demonstrates adherence to recognised industry standards, highlighting quality, competency and compliance. MCS covers electricity generating technologies including solar photovoltaic (PV), micro-combined heat and power (micro-CHP), wind turbines up to 50 kilowatts, as well as heat generating technologies such as heat pumps, solar thermal and biomass up to 45 kilowatts. The UK domestic renewable energy sector has radically changed since our organisation was formed. Since then, nearly 1.2 million homes have been fitted with renewable energy technology and installation cost has dropped by approximately 65%. Achieving new net zero goals won’t be easy but I firmly believe two factors will be central to future success – quality and confidence. Taking positive action Many of us worry about climate change and rising energy costs. It’s easy to feel powerless, but there are positive steps you can take. Renewable, ‘home-grown’ energy is increasingly affordable and gives you the opportunity to heat and/or power your home, independent from external suppliers. From solar panels to wind turbines, biomass boilers to heat pumps, there are many different solutions to suit different needs – no matter what home, building or land that you have. Generating your own energy reduces your dependence on traditional fossil fuels – lowering your energy bills, and your carbon footprint. Additionally, you could make a financial return from your investment in home-grown energy; either by being paid for excess energy that you generate, or through the Renewable Heat Incentive. In April 2019, we were delighted to see Octopus launch the UK’s first smart export tariff - outgoingOctopus, which pays people for the green energy they generate at home. Since then, the government introduced the Smart Export Guarantee meaning all major energy suppliers have to offer an export tariff from 2020. By investing in renewable energy technology you’ll be making a real contribution to the global fight against climate change. A ‘home-grown’ solution is something that matters to people personally – something they can take pride in. That’s exactly the feeling we want to create across the UK as we help more and more people embrace a home-grown energy future. It’s an exciting prospect and one we at MCS are fully committed to making a positive reality.

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS