MCS reforms to make the renewables sector scheme ‘stronger, simpler and fairer’

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), which sets standards for UK renewable energy installers, has announced a series of reforms to transform the small-scale renewables sector.

The updated scheme intends to shift the focus from administrative burdens to priorities like workmanship and consumer satisfaction. The reforms come after a six-week public consultation earlier this year in which hundreds of renewable energy stakeholders, including over 50 per cent installers, provided feedback.

Since the consultation closed, MCS has been working to collate and review feedback to inform and help finalise proposals to redevelop the scheme.

The majority of proposals gained support from respondents across the low-carbon sector including: restructuring the scheme to place consumer protection at its heart, simplification of scheme documents to make MCS more accessible to contractors, refining MCS Installation Standards to become solely technical requirements, and removing the mandatory requirement to purchase insurance-backed guarantees (IBGs).

There will be a fundamental shift in how contractors are assessed to gain and maintain MCS certification. MCS will determine how often each contractor is assessed based on a number of indicators of risk. These assessments will, in future, focus on the delivered quality of systems as installed, rather than the quality of back-office paperwork as seen historically.

Other welcomed proposals included those suggesting MCS take a more active, centralised role in dealing with contractors, consumers, and complaints. MCS will take ownership of complaints and dispute management for the sector. In a move to place safeguarding consumers at the heart of the scheme, MCS will launch an industry first project, proactively contacting every consumer with an MCS certified installation to measure satisfaction.

MCS CEO, Ian Rippin, said:

“This process is a first major step forward in the redevelopment of the MCS scheme. When I became CEO five years ago, I pledged to make the scheme stronger, simpler and fairer. This redevelopment will be critical in enabling the growth needed in the low-carbon technology sector, making MCS fit for the future and giving people confidence in home-grown energy.”

Responding to the consultation response, Heat Pump Association (HPA) CEO, Charlotte Lee said:

“We welcome and support MCS’s proactive approach to redeveloping the installer certification scheme, making it work better for the industry. The changes set out in the consultation response are a significant step towards enhancing support for compliant, safe and optimised heat pump installations and to strengthen trust and confidence from consumers. This is vital as we continue to grow heat pump deployment in line with decarbonisation targets. We look forward to continuing work with MCS and our members ahead of the targeted publication of documents by the end of the year and the launch of the updated scheme in 2024.”

With strong industry support, MCS will now proceed with the development of the new scheme, Standards and associated documents and processes. These will be published before the end of 2023. Then, following a period of transition the redeveloped scheme will launch in summer 2024.