So, you're considering buying solar panels for your home? That's great news! Solar power is a fantastic way to save money on your energy bills, gain energy independence, reduce your carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the environment!

But with so many accreditations out there and logos and acronyms galore, it can be really overwhelming trying to figure out what it all means, let alone which ones are the most important and why.

Well, fear not - Sunsave is here to help! In this article, we'll demystify UK solar accreditations and explain why they're essential for ensuring quality and safety in the installation of solar panels.

MCS: The Microgeneration Certification Scheme

MCS is a certification scheme for microgeneration technologies, including solar panels. It's a UK-wide accreditation, and companies who are MCS certified must follow strict guidelines, including the use of approved products and installation techniques.

MCS provides the industry recognised Standards for both the certification of renewable energy products and their installation. To achieve MCS certification for the installation of renewable energy products, an installer is required to belong to a Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) approved Consumer Code, such as HIES (which we go onto to talk about in more detail below).But the most important thing to know is simply that upon completion of your solar installation, an MCS certified installer will provide you with an MCS certificate; this is your all important proof that your installation has been designed, installed & commissioned to the highest standard using only MCS certified products by an MCS certified installer.

You'll want to keep this safe as should you ever want to move house, it'll give your potential buyers the assurance they need that everything has been carried out professionally, and to the highest standards.

HIES: The Home Insulation & Energy Systems Contractors Scheme (HIES) is a Consumer Protection Organisation.

HIES is an accreditation scheme for companies who install renewable energy systems in homes.

HIES and MCS work together hand in hand to ensure a high quality solar installation process for consumers. While MCS certifies the quality of solar panels and the competence of installers, HIES (Home Insulation & Energy Systems) makes sure the companies installing solar panels treat you fairly and professionally.

complete installations to the highest standards, and

come with comprehensive guarantees which are underwritten with specialist insurance

If you see the MCS logo, you know that the installer has met the necessary technical, quality, and health and safety standards. For this reason, we would always strongly advise you to only consider solar installers who are a member of HIES. 

As George Clarke, an accomplished architect, TV presenter, and HIES Ambassador says:

“Using a member of HIES gives you the trust, confidence and peace of mind you deserve”

Trustmark is a government-backed scheme that recognises tradespeople who have been independently assessed as meeting high standards of professionalism and customer service.

Companies who are Trustmark certified have been thoroughly checked, and you can have confidence in the quality of their work.

EPVS: The Energy Performance Verification Scheme

EPVS is a scheme for companies who carry out Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Renewable Energy Performance Certificates (REPCs) for homes. EPVS-accredited companies must demonstrate that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out these certificates accurately and efficiently.EPVS work closely with their accredited installers to protect consumers from receiving incorrect performance estimates or running costs by auditing the contractual paperwork to ensure it meets our certification standard.

Essentially, EPVS look out for consumers, making sure they're being treated fairly and not misled. As transparency is one of our core values here at Sunsave, we really value EPVS' role in the solar market and work very closely with them.

The Approved Code of Trading Standards (ACTS) is another government-backed scheme that provides a code of practice for traders to follow. The code covers everything from customer service to health and safety, and it's designed to protect consumers.

Companies who are Approved Code certified must demonstrate that they follow good business practices and treat their customers fairly. So, if your installer is a member of ACTS, it's a sign that they are committed to providing a high standard of service and that they follow best practice in their work

NAPIT: The National Association of Professional Inspectors and Testers

NAPIT is a trade association for electrical, heating, plumbing, ventilation, and micro-renewables industries. Companies who are NAPIT certified must meet high standards of competence and technical knowledge.The NAPIT logo is a sign that the installer is a qualified professional who has been trained to a high standard and is committed to providing safe and effective installations.

So, there you have it – the most important solar accreditations in the UK. If you see these logos, you can be confident that you're working with a trusted and reliable professional who will provide a high-quality installation.

By choosing a company that's accredited by all of these schemes, you can have peace of mind that your solar panels, inverter and battery will be installed to the highest standards of quality and safety.

Hopefully after reading this, you’re feeling empowered to continue your solar exploration knowing that by choosing a company with these accreditations - you’ll be in safe hands. And if you're looking for a trusted, accredited company for your solar panel and battery installation, then look no further than Sunsave! Our team of experts are fully accredited and committed to delivering top-notch solar solutions for UK homeowners, just like you.

And you’ll see from our independent reviews that we don’t just do things ‘by the book’, but we do our best to go over and above to deliver the best solar experience we can.

Ready to explore solar with Sunsave? Calculate your savings to get started!

Overwhelmed by acronymns? Worried about warranties? Well, this article will help you navigate which solar accreditations are important and why.

A UK Homeowner's Guide to Solar Accreditations

A UK homeowner's guide to solar accreditations

Solar installations have more than tripled since 2020

According to Solar Energy UK (the trade association representing the solar industry), weekly solar installations in the UK have more than tripled since July 2020. The association state that in 2020 approx. 1,000 installations took place each week, but this year that number has already surpassed 3,000. 

And that number is still increasing at an incredible rate. Data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is forecasting solar installations to average over 4,000 a week in 2023. Meaning that by the end of this year solar adoption will actually have quadrupled in just 3 years!


What's causing this increase in solar uptake?

Although this exponential increase might seem crazy, when you look at what's driving solar adoption, it's not actually that surprising. Although many people are choosing solar because of the environmental crisis and their desire to reduce their carbon footprint - this isn't the main reason most of us are turning to solar. 

As reported to Parliament in June this year, energy prices increased by 54% in April 2022. That’s a huge increase by almost any household's budget. And unfortunately, although we're in a slight dip right now (due to government intervention), energy prices continue to be volatile and the overall trend is still very much on the rise. 

Energy bills savings is #1 reason for switching to solar

It is in fact exactly these rising costs and lack of energy security that's driving more and more of us to switch to solar. 

To put this in real terms, did you know you that adding a solar and battery system to your home could save you over 70% on your electricity bill? With bills sky high and set to stay elevated for the foreseeable, that's a substantial amount of money. And explains why more and more UK residents are choosing to power our homes with solar.

No one can deny the energy crisis is causing a lot of pain for the UK, but there is at least one silver lining; more of us are turning to renewable energy sources to power our homes. 

The other part of the puzzle is that this rise in solar uptake has resulted in a drop in solar prices, making solar more accessible and affordable than ever. Put simply, paying for your solar and battery system has never been cheaper. In fact, the price of solar panels has dropped by a whopping 65% since 2010. And advances in battery and inverter tech are reducing system prices even further. So, as the meteoric rise in people switching to solar illustrates; solar makes more sense now than ever. 

There are many other benefits to installing solar

But it's not just saving money on your bills which is causing people to switch to solar. From increased energy security and independence from the grid, to cheap electric car charging and adding some serious £££ to the value of your home; there are a whole heap of benefits when it comes to installing a solar panel system. (If you haven't read it already, it's well worth checking out our our top 10 reasons to switch to solar for the full lowdown.)

But, even with so many people now choosing solar, this doesn't mean you won't still have some good questions on your mind if you're beginning to consider solar yourself. People who come to us at Sunsave are often looking for answers to a number of questions, such as: Are solar panels worth it? How much will solar panels really save me? Is my roof suitable for solar panels? To name just a few. Thankfully, we're here to help. (After all, most of us can't afford a solar array like these guys... no wonder they look so smug.) 

Interested in exploring solar but unsure where to start?

If you have questions about solar, but are a bit overwhelmed by all the information out there, and don't want a pushy sales person coming to your door (for what it's worth, we wouldn't like that either), speaking to us is a great place to start. At Sunsave we offer free solar consultations, which are remote via a short call. Our friendly, expert team will run you through your home's bespoke solar design (all we need to create this are your answers to our 45 second solar suitability quiz). Our solar specialists will also answer any questions you might have and run you through all the savings calculations and costs in detail. 

Getting all the facts and figures you need

There are no back of envelope calculations here. We use high-tech 3D modelling and energy algorithms to accurately breakdown how much you can save, with a pdf copy of your solar proposal to look through in your own time. We're also on hand via email or phone any time you have a question. And importantly, there's absolutely no obligation to proceed. As we mentioned above, we're not a fan of pushy sales people - but a short call with one of our solar specialists can give you all the information you need to decide if you want to explore further.

In conclusion, the one silver lining to come out of the energy crisis and continued energy volatility, is the increase in people looking to renewable technology for the answer. Solar offers a green way to save more than 70% on your electricity bills and, among many other benefits, protect you from future volatility by making you less dependent on the grid (and all the external forces that impact it). 

So if you're curious about solar and want to see if joining the 3,000+ households a week already switching to solar makes sense for you, why not book a chat today? It’s completely free, can be as quick as 10 mins with no obligation to proceed. You've genuinely got nothing to lose, so why not get started by taking our 45 second solar suitability quiz today?

Understand why thousands of people are installing solar each week and discover how to find out if the switch is right for you.

Why are thousands choosing to install solar each week?

Solar switchers have tripled since 2020

Have you been considering exploring the idea of solar energy for a while now, but you're still not quite convinced? Well, we're here to tell you there’s never been a better time to explore solar than right now. Don’t believe me? Well, that’s fair, I mean we barely know each other, right? So, allow me to explain why…

First and foremost, solar panel systems have become far more affordable in recent years. In fact, according to research undertaken by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the cost of solar panels has dropped by over 65% since 2010 – that's pretty massive by anyone’s calculations.

As well as solar panels becoming better value, as technology continues to advance and economies of scale improve, so the prices of solar batteries and inverters have also steadily decreased.

This means solar energy is becoming more accessible than ever before, ensuring that people from all walks of life can enjoy the benefits of solar without breaking the bank (i.e. you no longer have to be the green equivalent to the Kardashians!)

With UK energy bills soaring, solar can now provide bigger savings than ever. In fact, with a typical Sunsave solar and battery system, you could save more than 70% off the cost of your electricity bill, which - using figures provided by Ofgem - means a typical 3 bed semi with 8 panels fitted, could save well over £800 a year - and with more panels or a higher energy usage the savings could be even higher!

Solar efficiency & storage is greater than ever

The latest inverter and battery technologies offer far greater efficiency than they did even a year ago. For example, the second generation batteries we include in our solar packages boast an impressive 100% depth of discharge; a huge 20% increase in efficiency compared with the first generation model.

This means your solar system can generate more energy with fewer losses. Why does this matter? It’s simple – this efficiency translates into more savings on your energy bills and a faster return on investment.

Furthermore, modern battery systems have higher energy density and storage capacities, allowing you to store more of the electricity generated by your solar panels. This is important because it means you rely less on the grid and can be more energy-independent, especially during peak times or when electricity prices are high.

Recent advances in solar technology have resulted in more durable and longer-lasting products. This means you can expect a longer lifespan from all the elements of your solar system, which further improves the overall value of your investment. This increased durability is backed up by manufacturers increasing their warranties to 10, 15 and even 25 years as standard (depending on the piece of hardware). There aren’t many items in our homes that we'd expect to last 25 years - let alone be guaranteed to. 

One of the main reasons Sunsave moved into the solar market, was not only because we felt that customers deserved a better quality of installation and customer service, but also because we couldn’t believe how complicated the industry was to navigate! How are you supposed to know whether you need a G99 or whether a 5kW or 3.68kW inverter is the most suitable for your home, when there’s no clear information to explain it in plain english? Clearly transparency and expert guidance is needed to help people just like you make informed and empowered decisions.

This is why we’re committed to taking the complexity away from going solar. We select the best products in the market and present them as one clear, cohesive package that will not only work seamlessly together, but will also look great and last for years and years to come.

Cutting-edge battery and inverter technologies now incorporate smart features, such as remote monitoring and control, predictive maintenance, and integration with smart home devices. These capabilities allow for better energy management, making it easier to optimise your solar system's performance and maximise your savings. 

What's more, we’ll set up all these presets for you at installation, so that after a quick chat with our experts who will discuss your needs and walk you through the app to ensure you’re happy with the set up - all you need to do is relax, knowing your system is smart enough to do all the hard work for you. 

Solar provides more protection and peace of mind than ever

It hasn’t always been the case, but the solar industry is now pretty well regulated. Some accreditations and certifications are voluntary - meaning you should always make sure that the company you’re buying from is fully certified and that a comprehensive workmanship warranty is included, but as long as they are, you can proceed in the peace of mind that both you and your home are fully protected.

And to make doing this due-diligence easier than ever, we’re written an article all about the most important solar accreditations, what they mean and how they protect you. You’re welcome.

Our planet needs solar power more than ever

Last but definitely not least, with our journey to net zero still a long road ahead, there’s never been a better time to take one of the biggest steps you can toward reducing your carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner, green Britain.

So, with the ongoing improvements in solar panels, batteries and inverter technology, and the increased economies of scale reducing their cost, paired with our environmental and economic climate, now is the ideal time to invest in solar energy. By purchasing a solar system today, you can take advantage of higher efficiency, better energy storage, enhanced durability, smart features, and lower costs, and all at a time when energy prices are high, meaning the electricity savings are more impactful than ever.

If we've convinced you that there's never been a better time to explore solar (and we very much hope we have, because that was kind of the whole point of this article),  you can find out more by clicking the link below and fill out the very short (multiple choice) survey. At the end, we'll quickly and accurately assess your home's solar suitability based on your answers and even calculate how much you could save right there and then.

There’s no obligation to proceed, but if you're keen to explore further, you can use the online calendar at the end of the survey to quickly and easily book a call to speak with our friendly, expert team at a time that suits you.

So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring solar - the time is now!

Have you been considering exploring solar energy, but aren't quite convinced? This article explains why now is the perfect time to charge right in!

Juliet Mance

Posts from Juliet Mance

A UK homeowner's guide to solar accreditations

Solar switchers have tripled since 2020

Solar makes more sense now than ever