Managing Director of GTEC Training and Heatly, was invited to join fellow guest Aaron Darvill from Anker Solix, and eFIXX hosts, Gary Hayers and Joseph Hammond on 11 June on a live streaming episode to discuss smart meters, MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) and SEG (Solar Energy Guarantee), balcony solar, whether an EICR is sufficient for solar installation and government funding for the Warm Homes Skills Programme.
The show features industry-impacting discussions and news, along with valuable advice for electricians and installers. Here’s a summary of key discussion points from the episode:
How you can be 100% compliant and not need MCS for SEG
SEG licensees currently default to a requirement of MCS certification, but this is not a legal requirement for consumers to access SEG. Time and cost barriers are the main reasons that prevent some installers from becoming MCS certified, but by simply following what the Ofgem guidance states, there is a way to get access without the need for MCS certification.
Previously, Octopus has opened up the market, although this requires a separate process and a fee to allow people to go through a specific process to access SEG payments without an MCS certificate; but other energy suppliers also have to allow for non-MCS certified installations to be eligible for SEG based on the official Government guidance published by Ofgem.
Griff has successfully investigated how to obtain SEG eligibility for small-scale generators without an MCS certificate by analysing the regulations to ensure other routes to compliance and following the process for his own home solar installation. He now receives regular payments for the spare energy generated.
The guidance issued by Ofgem to the energy suppliers currently states that: For solar PV, wind, and micro-CHP installations up to 50kW, generators need to demonstrate that the installation and installer are suitably certified. This is often demonstrated through a Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certificate, but other equivalent schemes may also be recognised by the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).
Standard Licence Conditions define an equivalent scheme as one that is accredited in accordance with EN 45011 or EN ISO/IEC 17065.
This means that any installer who is a member of a competent person scheme that covers the scope of work that’s relevant (including Solar PV) is accredited under ISO/IEC 17065. Solar PV is covered and assessed under BS7671, which means as long as installers have been assessed under these competencies, they are accredited under ISO/IEC 17065 and covered for solar installations and all the other work that falls under the regulations.
They can then produce certification in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065. MCS certification, at a cost of £30 per installation (plus the initial registration fee), is therefore not required for certified solar installations to benefit from SEG.
Whether an EICR is good enough to gain SEG ?
An EICR is a formal report that assesses the safety and condition of an existing electrical installation, identifying any damage, defects, or non-compliance with current regulations (BS 7671).
In response to a live question from an installer who questions whether an EICR is sufficient for solar installation (in the absence of an MCS or EIC), Griff explains that although not tested in practice, this might be possible if installers are members of a scheme that certifies them for that installation activity under ISO/IEC 17065, but that further confirmation is needed. This could, however, be a great solution for consumers who have had solar sold to them and installed, but then the installer company goes into liquidation.
Balcony solar and its potential in the UK
UK homes are currently blocked from using balcony solar, which are small-scale, plug-and-play solar power systems designed for use in apartments or homes with limited outdoor space. These systems are currently gaining popularity for residential housing in other European countries and offer energy savings from the moment you start using them. For example, Anker Solix is striving for energy independence for everyone and is currently voted the world’s number one in balcony storage, and is a popular choice in other countries.
Although there is demand for these types of systems in the UK and Ireland, regulations don’t currently permit balcony solar installations due to a combination of safety, compliance, and grid connection concerns.
UK wiring regulations (BS 7671) do not permit plug-in solar inverters to feed electricity into standard sockets; all generation systems must be properly installed on a dedicated circuit by a qualified electrician.
Additionally, installers must notify the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO), without formal safety standards for plug-in solar inverters, and with planning and lease restrictions in many flats, balcony solar remains impractical under current UK rules.
That said, there is growing pressure to see future government regulatory changes that may open the door to meet demand, but there are technical barriers to overcome before plug-in energy storage, and solar can be safely rolled out.
£13.2 billion confirmed by the government towards the Warm Home Programme and Warm Homes Skills funding training, which includes solar PV for the first time
The government has allocated £13.2 billion towards the Warm Homes programme, with more details to be finalised in October. Central to this effort is the government’s ambition to deliver clean, affordable energy nationwide by 2030 while supporting the transition to clean heat and progressing toward the net-zero 2050 target.
Funding will be allocated towards insulation upgrades, heat pumps, low-carbon heating systems, energy storage and solar, and is for local authorities to deliver energy performance and low-carbon heating upgrades to low-income homes in England. The scheme aims to reduce household emissions, lower energy costs, tackle fuel poverty and improve the quality of housing for millions of people.
Watch the full show here and take a look at Griff’s previous appearances on eFIXX TV, discussing solar installation and the common mistakes electricians make, and the MCS scheme and how it applies to solar installations.
