Important Installer Information

Here you will find important information on the planning permissions, metering requirements, notification to DNOs and sub-contracting requirements. This information is useful for installers who are currently certified, as well as those wishing to become certified and operate in the market under the MCS mark.

Planning Permission

While it is normally the customer’s responsibility to obtain the planning permission, the MCS approved installers should make their customers aware of all permissions and approvals required for the installation. Where required, planning and/or building control approval should be obtained before work is commenced. The installers should also ensure that the building will meet the requirements of the building regulations and other applicable regulations applicable to their work during and following installation.

More information on planning requirements can be found here.

Information on any relevant Building Regulations and European Directives can be found in the MCS 002 document available available for download here.

Metering requirements

All metering which is intended to be used to record generation or export for FIT payment purposes must comply with specific metering legislation. The National Measurements Office (NMO) approve meters, on Ofgem’s behalf, for use where the maximum demand exceeds 100kW. List of NMO approved meters is available here.

A meter can also be regarded as approved if it has been approved by, or under similar regulations to the MI (AEEM) Regulations after 2007 in other European Member States.

The metering requirements under the FIT are detailed in the Ofgem document 'Feed-in Tariffs: Guidance for Renewable Installations'. The latest version of this document is available for download here.

MCS Metering Guidance document is available here and provides further guidance on the metering requirements.

Notification to Distributed Network Operators (DNOs)

It is required that all electricity generating installations that are connected to the grid are notified to the Distributed Network Operator (DNO). The DNO varies between the regions and details of the different Network Operators can be found here.

The notification may fall under either ER G83/1 or ER G59/2 requirements and further information can be found by visiting the Energy Networks Association website.

Please note that MCS are unable to notify grid connections for you. For technical guidance please contact the relevant Distributed Network Operator.

Sub-contracting requirements

MCS 001 states that a contract for the sale and installation of a system be only between an MCS certified company and a customer. An MCS certified company may carry out work under subcontract to another MCS certified Company in which case clause 10 of MCS 001 must be satisfied.

If the MCS certified company obtains sales leads from any third party, the MCS certified company must require that the third party complies with all the relevant requirements of the MCS standards and the Consumer Code. The MCs certified company will be responsible for any non-compliance.

Please see MCS 001 and the relevant technical standards for further details in the MCS Standards section of this website.