Microgeneration certification scheme

[edit] Introduction

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme MCS was launched in 2007 as a Government backed scheme, in April 2018, the Scheme transferred to the MCS Service Company Limited, and the MCS Charitable Foundation. Today it forms a key element of the current Government Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), and other funding mechanisms, requiring installers to be certified by the scheme and also to use products recognised by MCS via the Product Eligibility List (PEL).

In July 2023 the MCS website contained just over 4,000 MCS qualified installers in the UK. The search function of the website to find installers can be found here https://mcscertified.com/find-an-installer/

MCS website also contains products that meet MCS standards currently containing just over 65,000 products. The search function of the website to find products can be found here https://mcscertified.com/product-directory/

The Product Eligibility List (PEL) is a shorter list which is published by Ofgem these list products that meet MCS standards, but are specifically air, ground and water source heat pumps as well as biomass boilers. There are currently there are just under 3,000 products covering these areas, all of which are recognised by the current Boiler Upgrade Scheme. .

Some of the financial incentives that are on offer by the government, previously the Feed-In tariff and the Renewable Heat Incentive (now closed) and today the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) require confirmation of accreditation to the Microgeneration Scheme of product and installer, as well as requiring an up to date EPC.

[edit] Technologies covered by the MCS scheme

The Microgeneration certification scheme covers the following electricity producing technologies which have a capacity of up to 50kW and heat producing of up to 45kW:

• Air source heat pumps.
• Exhaust air heat pump.
• Gas absorption heat pump.
• Biomass.
• Ground/water heat pump.
• Micro combined heat and power.
• Pitched roof installation kit.
• Solar photovoltaics.
• Solar thermal.
• Solar assisted heat pump.
• Wind turbines.

[edit] Certification

The quality assurance scheme confirms the reliability and quality of products and installers. The certification is undertaken by a third party organisation or Certification Body and confirms compliance with the technical specification. Certification Bodies must be accredited by UKAS and licensed by the licensee to issue certificates. All the standards and scheme requirements are available as MCS Standards to download.

[edit] Installers and product lists

It is possible to find a list of accredited installers from the MSC Installer List and for products, from the MSC Product List.

[edit] Reform

For information about changes to the MCS, see: Microgeneration Certification Scheme 2020.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings

• BSRIA domestic hot water heat pumps testing.
• Microgeneration.
• Non-domestic building services compliance guide.
• Domestic building services compliance guide.
• Renewable energy.
• Making the most of renewable energy systems DG 531.
• Microgeneration Certification Scheme 2020.
• Micro CHP.
• Micro grid.
• Feed-In tariff.
• Renewable Heat Incentive.
• Air source heat pumps.
• Biomass.
• Ground source heat pump.
• Renewable Energy Consumer Code RECC.
• Solar photovoltaics.
• Solar thermal.
• Wind turbine.

[edit] External references

• Department of Energy and Climate Change.
• Feed-In tariff.
• MCS Standards.
• Microgeneration certification scheme.
• Renewable Heat Incentive.