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.

Hence we have: https://shop.theiet.org/code-of-practice-for-grid-connected-solar-photovoltaic-systems-2nd-edition

Quite frankly, some of the MCS installers I encountered were originally trained a roofers and just did a minimal amount of extra electrical training to get the cert. (rather like kitchen fitters when part P came in) - and as a result some of the ordinary electrical side wasn't entirely up to the standard I would have expected from a traditional electrician. So all swings and roundabouts.

  - Andy.

Hence we have: https://shop.theiet.org/code-of-practice-for-grid-connected-solar-photovoltaic-systems-2nd-edition

Quite frankly, some of the MCS installers I encountered were originally trained a roofers and just did a minimal amount of extra electrical training to get the cert. (rather like kitchen fitters when part P came in) - and as a result some of the ordinary electrical side wasn't entirely up to the standard I would have expected from a traditional electrician. So all swings and roundabouts.

  - Andy.

AJJewsbury said:

some of the MCS installers I encountered were originally trained a roofers

It is interesting that you say that.  I have also seen some examples of shoddy Solar PV installs.

This poses the question.  When the installers registered to become MCS they will have been assesed on their paperwork and processes.  I wonder how much time the assessor spent on site looking at the actual install with a copy of BS7671 or OnSite Guide or Guidance note 2 & 3?

This poses the question.  When the installers registered to become MCS they will have been assesed on their paperwork and processes.  I wonder how much time the assessor spent on site looking at the actual install with a copy of BS7671 or OnSite Guide or Guidance note 2 & 3?

I suspect MCS rely on the building regs competent person schemes for that side of thing. My installer used my installation for his competent persons scheme assessment - it was quite interesting - clearly the assessor knew a lot about installation in general, but seemed a little unsure about PV specifics (this was over a decade ago when they were quite new to be fair). When the assessor questioned the lack of an AC isolator at the CU end of the PV a.c. cable, the installer was stuck for an answer and it ended up with me (with no formal wiring qualifications at all) quoting the relevant parts of BS 7671 to sort things out.

   - Andy.

Like Andy, we had our install in the early days.  We had 3 quotes 2 from "specialist" companies who sent basically salesman with a spiel and gave a "double glazing" style quote.  The third was from a local electrician who clearly knew what he was talking about and quoted as an electrical install with supplied components.  Very tidy install with all the expected isolators, dc and ac, and completed all the registration paperwork.  When I wanted the installation expanded a year later, he organised that and the extension to the FIT.  Touch wood it has been trouble free for 13 years.

I would prefer a registered installer who knew what they were about, as long as you do the usual research and due diligence

David