News and Information
Latest News
1 December 2008:
BRE Global successfully completes development of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)
BRE Global has successfully completed its government contract to develop the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Standards are now in place which should help to provide reassurance to consumers that both microgeneration products and installers meet robust quality and performance criteria.
BRE Global continues to offer UKAS accredited certification services for both installer and product approvals under MCS.
In keeping with the requirements of its contract BRE Global has developed MCS to the point at which may be opened up to other certification bodies working under the umbrella of UKAS towards accreditation for this work.
At this point BRE Global is pleased to hand over the administration of MCS to Gemserv Ltd who were chosen by the Department of Energy and Climate Change working in partnership with the MCS Steering Group.
For enquiries concerning installer or product approval BRE Global experts continue to be available by telephoning 0845 6181514 or emailing microgeninstallers@bre.co.uk or microgenproducts@bre.co.uk
For issues concerning the administration of MCS please contact Gemserv Ltd. on 020 7090 1082 or mcs@gemserv.com
Ends.
NOVEMBER 2008: Withdrawal of the Clear Skies registers of approved installers and products
The Clear Skies certification scheme closed to new applicants on the 31st March 2007 and at that time it was made clear that the Clear Skies register would subsequently be withdrawn in line with development of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). Since then significant progress has been made on the development of MCS and to date applications have been received from over 550 installation companies and the 160th certificate has just been issued.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), following discussions with the MSC steering group, has now taken the decision to withdraw the Clear Skies registers of approved installers and products.
On 31 March 2009 the Clear Skies register of approved installers will be withdrawn.
Any installation companies on the Clear Skies installer register at that time, and not certificated under MCS, will lose that registration along with any access to the various grant programmes and wider initiatives, where certification under MCS is a requirement.
On 31 December 2009 the Clear Skies register of approved products will be withdrawn.
Any products not MCS certificated (or Solar Keymark for solar collectors) will cease to be eligible for use in grant programmes and wider initiatives where MCS approval is a requirement.
NOVEMBER 2008: 100th Microgeneration Installer Approved By BRE Global
BRE Global are pleased to announce that Finn Geotherm UK Ltd are the 100th installer to be approved to the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
David Gall, MCS Scheme Manager, comments "The MCS at BRE Global is going from strength to strength and we are proud to present Finn Geotherm with the 100th installer certificate."
"Our certification process is very robust and assesses an installer's procedures at the company itself, as well as the work they undertake at a site. Annual surveillance assessments are undertaken to ensure continued quality and as our scheme is the only one currently accredited by UKAS, this underlines our commitment to quality and consumer protection."
The profile of the installers approved so far by BRE Global is broad, ranging from sole traders to large corporations. They are based throughout the UK, with over a third certificated to install multiple technologies including solar thermal, photovoltaics, wind turbines, ground and air source heat pumps.
Further information on the scheme, including details of how to apply, can be found at http://www.microgenerationcertification.eu/
OCTOBER 2008: Mitsubishi Gains Microgeneration Product Certification
BRE Global is delighted to announce that Mitsubishi Electric has become the latest manufacturer to gain Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) Product Certification for its range of Ecodan® Air Source Heat Pumps.
Speaking at the BRE Innovation Park Visitor Centre, where an Ecodan Heat Pump is already installed to provide space and water heating, Max Halliwell, Product Manager, Mitsubishi Electric Heating said "Recognition under MCS is important as it helps the industry and the public have faith in heat pumps as a viable alternative to gas and oil heating."
Richard Hardy, Director of Sustainability, BRE Global added "Mitsubishi is challenging everyone involved in the built environment to reduce their energy consumption and it is therefore excellent to welcome a manufacturer of this stature into the scheme".
The Ecodan system is designed to supply heating and hot water in domestic applications and can help achieve the minimum reductions in CO2 emissions required for Level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Mitsubishi Electric says it provides a 30-50% reduction in emissions, with a 30% saving on running costs against a modern gas boiler. Savings against older gas boilers, oil, LPG and direct electric can be greater. It is also eligible for reduced VAT, from 17.5% to 5% for domestic applications.
Further details on the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, including information for manufacturers and installers on how to join the scheme, can be found at http://www.microgenerationcertification.eu/
AUGUST 2008: Updated Installer Fee Sheet Includes New Discounts
The revised fee sheet for the MCS Installer scheme is now available. A discount of up to 50% (£900) will be avilable subject to eligibility, for full details:
- FS 025 Fee Sheet Microgeneration Installers Scheme
JULY 2008: NEW BIOMASS INSTALLER AND ROOF-INTEGRATED SYSTEMS STANDARDS RELEASED
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), which covers installers and products for technologies including wind, solar thermal, heat pump and solar photovoltaic has now been further extended to include the certification and listing of biomass installers. For further information, please click: Information for Installers.
There are now over 400 applications in progress for the MCS installer scheme. The addition of biomass installers will further add to this growth and set standards for this rapidly growing sector. Richard Phillips, MCS Scheme Manager at BRE Global comments "The growth of the MCS is fantastic, it shows a real commitment by industry to meet the quality and reliability requirements of this rigorous certification. Feedback from listed installers has been very positive, certification to the MCS installer scheme is generating real benefits in terms of increased sales enquiries, customer confidence and differentiation within an increasingly competitive market place".
The MCS product scheme has also been updated to include roof-integrated photovoltaic modules and solar thermal collectors. These products are designed to fit unobtrusively within the roof to provide an aesthetically pleasing installation. The standards particularly address the issue of ensuring the integrity and performance of these products are in line with the surrounding structure. For further information, please click: Information for Product Manufacturers and distributors.
JUNE 2008: MICROGENERATION CERTIFICATION SCHEME BIOMASS PRODUCT APPROVAL NOW OPEN
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme is now open for the certification and listing of Biomass products. Document MCS 008 - Issue 1_0 Product certification scheme requirements - Biomass 250408.pdf' identifies the evaluation and assessment practices for the purposes of certification and listing of solid biomass fired heating systems. For further information, including application form and supporting documentation, please click: Information for Product Manufacturers and Distributors.
FEBRUARY 2008: MICROGENERATION CERTIFICATION SCHEME PRODUCT APPROVAL NOW OPEN
Specifiers working in microgeneration will soon be able to choose from a recognised list of approved products. Following notification of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to the European Commission, MCS is now open for the approval of microgeneration products.
The MCS product scheme, which was notified under the Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC) is now operational. Interest from manufacturers has been sustained and the scheme is now making good progress assessing heat pumps, solar heating collectors, micro wind turbines, and non roof-integrated solar photovoltaic products. The Scheme's new mark is about to be awarded to certified products and installers.
Chris Beedel, MCS Scheme Manager at BRE Global comments, "This is good news for microgeneration. MCS will evaluate products and installers against robust criteria for each of the microgeneration technologies, providing greater protection for consumers and helping to build a rapidly growing microgeneration industry based on quality and reliability."
MCS standards are currently being finalised for roof integrated solar PV and solar heating collectors, inverters, biomass, hydro turbines, combined heat and power and fuel cell products.
For the purposes of grants under the Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP), BERR is accepting products which are:
- Certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme
- Non roof-integrated solar thermal products which bear the Solar Keymark
- Products on the "Clear Skies" list (until further notice)
So far the MCS installer scheme has attracted more than 400 installer applications and over 100 assessments have been completed. Once certificated, installers will be able to carry out installations which are eligible for grants under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) and to use the MCS certification mark.
Background Information
What is Microgeneration?
The official definition of microgeneration is in The Energy Act 2004, Section 82. Essentially 'Microgeneration' is the generation of energy of up to 45kW (heat) or up to 50kW (electricity).
The term 'microgeneration' is not restricted to energy generated only from renewable sources. It also covers low and zero carbon technologies. These technologies involve the generation of electricity or heat and in some cases both, which is referred to as cogeneration.
Cogeneration technologies
- Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
- Fuel Cells
Electricity generation technologies
- Solar PV (Photovoltaic)
- Wind Turbines
- Micro Hydro
Heat generation technologies
- Solar Heating
- Heat Pumps (Ground, Air or Water Source)
- Biomass Heating
BERR plans to promote microgeneration and remove the barriers currently preventing its widespread take up.
The Aims of Microgeneration
Buildings account for 47% of carbon emissions in the UK, so microgeneration has the potential to contribute to UK's challenging EU 2020 renewables and greenhouse gas targets by generating some energy from secure and reliable small-scale installations.
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)
MCS has been developed to provide manufacturers, suppliers, installers and consumers with an independent assurance that microgeneration products and installers meet a robust set of standards, with benefits which include:
- The opportunity to reduce carbon emissions
- Saving money on generation of energy
- The opportunity to sell excess energy back to the grid
- Assurance to consumers on the reliability and quality of product and installation services and also a complaints procedure through a recognised Code of Practice
- Clearly recognisable labelling to enable consumers to make informed purchasing decisions
- Allowing companies to differentiate within the market
- Increased sustainability of the market through increased take-up of these technologies
- A robust and flexible scheme, capable of achieving UKAS accreditation
- Realistic assessment of the energy performance of microgeneration systems.
- Ongoing monitoring and surveillance of installation and manufacturing quality
- Access to grant schemes
- A means of ensuring that the taxpayer's grant money is spent in an effective manner
MCS has been developed and administered by BRE Global Limited, but the MCS mark is owned by The Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR). The Scheme is governed by an independent Steering Group made up stakeholders including representatives from industry, trade and consumer associations and Government.
The MCS Steering Group has already agreed a number of installer and products standards. MCS standards are, where appropriate, fully harmonised with international and European technical standards. When fully developed, MCS standards will cover the following technologies and their installers:
- Heat Pumps (ground, air or water source)
- Wind Turbines
- Solar Thermal Collectors
- Solar PV (Photovoltaic)
- Biomass
- Micro-Hydro
- Fuel Cells
- Renewable Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
- Micro Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
As the Scheme develops further, new technologies may be added as part of the government's commitment to the microgeneration and to the renewables industry and to its aim to to enhance consumer education, protection and choice.
Current Scope of the Scheme
Certification schemes for installers and for products have been launched. Both schemes are open to applications from all technology areas and currently the following may be assessed:
- Solar Heating Collectors
- Solar PV
- Micro Wind
- Heat Pumps
- Biomass
Work is underway to finalise standards for hydro turbines, combined heat and power and fuel cell products.
