Well, the legal requirement is not to be  registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, but to notify the DNO, I am not sure why the grid coping will be any more or less of a factor, that is a DNO issue.

In a way for those with the enthusiasm and skill, "DIY" PV has been possible for a long time,and in any case MCS did not exist before 2007 or so.

New circuits come under part P in England and Wales so to be legal, notification or 3rd party verification for none scheme members - so I suspect the majority of work will be done by members of NICIEC/NAPIT who are unlikely to be totally dangerous, even if they are not signed up.

It is an odd move though for Octopus, and makes you wonder what fraction of installations will now be permitted that previously were not.

Mind you as the feed in tarrifs nosedive, I'm not sure that the extra permium for an MCS cert is worth what it was.

There were plenty of MCS registered installations going in  each month of last year (about 15000 per month on average according to their own blurb.)

It may have the effect of lowering the costs a bit.

Mike.

Granted that most installs will be done by competant NICIEC/NAPIT members but of those doing the install how many will understand about roof structures and wind load calculations.  We would not want a ON roof Solar panel taking flight when the wind picks up.  With there being the 2 types of roof panel I wonder why the government does not make new builds and large home extensions have solar panels fitted like they do in Italy?  In Roof Solar PV panels are probably cheaper than a tile or slate roof, although not the same longevity.

Non MCS installers may or may not put enough attention to the Design, Selection and Erection.
Working at high course
Do they need both AC and DC isolators?
Do they need both AC and DC SPDs (especially if battery storage is implemented)
Cable selection difference for the AC and DC side (will the SY, CY, YY cable be used incorrectly)
Non labelled up 600V DC cable in loft
Poorly connected MC4s
Building insurance compliance
Fire regulation BS5839-6 aware for dwelling
Fire regulation BS5839-1 aware for commercial
Logistics of ground mounted Solar PV arrays

I am sure there are many more that could be added to the list

Does MCS membership guarantee that those points will be correctly handled  any more than having the same info in the instructions to installers.? One could still recommend installers to have the LCL Awards Level 3 Certificate, without the membership.

Mike.

Does MCS membership guarantee that those points will be correctly handled  any more than having the same info in the instructions to installers.? One could still recommend installers to have the LCL Awards Level 3 Certificate, without the membership.

Mike.