✅ The MCS certificate is one of the best stamps of approval for green technology 

☀️ It covers both solar panels and solar panel installers

➕ There are many benefits to have a certified solar panel installation

📃 It’s not mandatory to have an MCS certificate, but your system should be certified

❌ Be wary of solar panel installers that aren't certified

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The world of solar panels is awash with technical terms and acronyms, and one you’ll come across a lot is MCS, or the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. 

While lots of solar panel jargon is not essential for you to know before you get a solar & battery system, it’s definitely worth knowing a bit about the MCS - particularly when it comes to choosing a reliable solar company.

Along with Flexi-Orb, it's one of the two top certification schemes for solar installers and products.

To find out how much a certified solar & battery installation could save you on your energy bills, answer a few quick questions below and we'll provide you with an estimate. 

What is the MCS certificate for solar panels?

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a government-backed UK initiative that was set up in 2007 to make sure small-scale renewable energy installations, like solar panels and heat pumps, meet universal quality standards.

This came at a very important time for the solar panel industry in the UK, as it wasn’t long before the Feed-in Tariff suddenly fired up demand for solar across the nation. And given the fairly high upfront cost of solar panels, it makes sense that solar installations need to meet a certain level of quality. 

There are MCS certifications available for solar panels and installers, which when combined should mean your installation goes smoothly. You should also look for products and specialists with a Flexi-Orb certification, which will ensure the same high standards.

It's vital that your solar panel system and installer have an MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate, as this is the only way to make sure they'll work to the high standard you deserve.

If an installer has one of these certifications, it means they’ve met a whole host of rigorous requirements, ranging from technical skills (under the MCS 001 and Solar PV-specific Standards) to their competency in running a reputable business.

Either certificate is a seal of approval that shows consumers that a product a) is safe, b) will work as it should, and c) is built to last.

Like Flexi-Orb, MCS has created Product Standards that include a lengthy list of testing and performance criteria, checks panels have regulatory safety marks, and ensures manufacturers carry out regular audits.

When speaking to solar panel installers, be sure to ask them if they're certified by MCS or Flexi-Orb - along with these six other important questions. 

🤔 Thinking of going solar? Here's why a larger system makes sense ⬇️

What are the benefits of having an MCS certificate?

If your domestic solar & battery installation has an MCS certificate, it means you’ll experience the following advantages: 

Access to most smart export tariffs, potentially worth around £360 per year*

Fewer malfunctions and issues with your system

Higher output due to efficient, quality hardware, leading to more savings

Increased property value through professional installation

*Based on a home using 3,400kWh of electricity per year (which is the UK average) with solar irradiance of 850kWh/kWp, a 4.4kWp solar PV system, and a 5.2kWh battery. The home is signed up to E.ON’s Next Export Exclusive for export, E.ON Next Drive for import, and exports 65% of its solar electricity.

The UK's first solar subscription

Is it mandatory for your solar panels to have an MCS certificate?

It's not strictly mandatory for your solar panels to come with MCS or Flexi-Orb certification, but it's highly recommended, especially if you want to take advantage of certain financial incentives.

Having an MCS or Flexi-Orb certificate opens doors to export tariff schemes like the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), which allows you to get paid for sending surplus electricity to the grid.

Export tariffs tend to have strict requirements, one of which is MCS or Flexi-Orb certification.

Suppliers may eventually relax this rule to include other certifications, but they will always want to ensure your installation was fitted to a high standard before signing a contract.

How can you verify that your solar installer is MCS certified?

Checking if your solar installer is MCS certified is pretty straightforward. The MCS website has a handy database where you can search for certified installers by their name and location – just pop in their details and the site will confirm if they're registered, as well as their unique Certification Number. 

How do you get your MCS certificate for your solar panels?

Your installer usually takes care of getting an MCS certificate for your solar panels during the installation. But to be eligible for an MCS certificate, your solar panel installation must first:

Be commissioned by an MCS-certified installer

Have a commissioning date after 15 July 2009

Your installer should issue your MCS certificate within 10 working days of wrapping things up. A good solar panel installer will give you an MCS certificate automatically – but it's always a good idea to double-check at the beginning.

There are only two situations where you can get a copy of your certificate directly from MCS: if the installer isn’t MCS certified anymore or they stop trading. In these cases, you’ll need to pay an administration fee and provide proof of ownership for your solar panel system – if not, you’ll have to go back to your installer to ask for your certificate.

If you decide to cut costs and buy used solar panels, you'll have to install the panels yourself (which we do not recommend, due to safety risks) and you won't be able to get your system certified by MCS or Flexi-Orb. 

Is the MCS certificate easy for installers to get?

You’ll be glad to know that getting an MCS certificate isn't a simple tick-box exercise for solar panel installers – it requires them to meet a set of strict standards. Here's a brief breakdown of what’s needed:

Getting assessed: Installers need to know and show they understand both parts of the MCS 001 Standard and the technical standards for solar PV technology.


Competency criteria: The installation company needs to prove they have skilled employees who meet the MCS 025 Standard. This involves identifying a Nominated Technical Person (NTP) who has completed an MCS approved training course for solar PV technology.


Processes and procedures: Installers should have evidence of an appropriate Quality Management System (QMS) in place to handle installation quality.


Consumer Code membership: Installers have to join a Consumer Code approved by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), like the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) or the Home Insulation & Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES).


Applying to a Certification Body: Finally, installers apply to a Certification Body to assess and inspect their company practices.

As you can see, the MCS certification process for installers is thorough. An MCS-certified installer has to be dedicated and put in effort for each step to maintain a high standard.

Can I trust installers who don't have an MCS certificate?

Installers without an MCS certificate are still well worth using if they have a Flexi-Orb certificate instead.

In fact, a Flexi-Orb certification actually indicates a higher level of quality in many ways. 

For instance, Flexi-Orb’s Installation Scheme has stricter requirements, meaning it requires much more effort from installers to get certified.

This continues after the assessment as well, as Flexi-Orb’s certification bodies keep evaluating installers once they’ve been certified, to ensure they maintain their standards.

Customers are also protected by an insurance-backed guarantee, plus they can leave reviews that will be available to all customers looking for a renewable installation.

But if an installer hasn't been certified by MCS or Flexi-Orb, they're not worth hiring.

Some of these installers will still produce high-quality work, but the risk is too large for any homeowner to take.

You also wouldn't be eligible for an export tariff, which could cost you hundreds of pounds per year.

What are the risks of not using an MCS-certified installer?

The risks of not using an installer who's been certified by MCS or Flexi-Orb include:

Not being eligible for financial perks like an export tariff

The potential risk of poor installation or subpar product quality, which would affect efficiency, output, and savings

Manufacturer warranties might require installation by certified professionals

Shoddy work may affect your property's market appeal and value

How many solar installers are MCS certified?

As of January 2024, the MCS has certified more than 3,300 solar installers – with 1,300 of these certified in 2023 alone, marking a 65% increase from the previous year. 

What other solar accreditations are important?

In the UK, there are a few other crucial solar accreditations and membership associations for installers, apart from the MCS and Flexi-Orb. These include:

The Renewable Energy Assurance Limited (REAL) scheme

National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC)

National Association of Professional Inspectors (NAPIT)

Home Insulation and Energy Systems Quality Assured Contractors Scheme (HIES)

These accreditations help ensure that installers are qualified, follow best practices, and provide work with certain levels of guarantee or warranty. 

Summary

If you're considering installing solar panels on your home or business, hiring an installer who's been certified by MCS or Flexi-Orb is an important step to ensuring the quality and safety of your system.

To find out how much a certified solar & battery system could save you on your energy bills, provide us with a few quick details below and we'll get back to you with an estimate.

MCS certificate for solar: FAQs

Do you need an MCS certificate for solar panels?

How do I get an MCS certificate?

How much does MCS certification cost?

The MCS certificate for solar panels: an expert guide [2025]

What's in this guide?

The MCS certificate for solar panels: an expert guide

🐦 Birds can damage solar panel systems

🐿️ High-quality solar panel bird proofing can also keep out other animals

💷 Solar panel bird proofing costs roughly £50 per panel

📅 Properly installed spikes can last as long as your panels

🌞 Bird proofing systems shouldn't require maintenance

As much as we love our feathered friends and other local wildlife, they can become an inconvenience for a solar panel system.

The space under solar panels is prime property for animals looking for a safe haven – and if homeowners aren’t careful, they could end up with a set of nuisance neighbours who are difficult to remove. 

In this article, we’ll explore what you can do to safeguard your solar panel investment from unwanted visitors – whether they’re birds, squirrels, or something else. 

To find out how much a solar & battery system (with bird protection) could save you in the long run, answer a few quick questions below and we'll generate an estimate. 

Do you need to get bird proofing for your solar panels?

Bird proofing for your solar panels can be a sensible precaution if your area has a lot of birds looking to make a nest.

The UK is home to around 170 million wild birds, including 18 million pigeons who all enjoy nesting under solar panels – which they can then damage with poo and by pecking at the wiring.

And if you've ended up paying the high upfront cost of solar, it makes sense that you want to protect it.

However, bird proofing isn’t vital for all households, because birds don't nest on every domestic roof.

If there are other homes in your neighbourhood with solar panels, we'd recommend asking the occupants whether they've had any bird problems.

If you’re on the fence, we'd advise getting bird proofing during your solar installation, since you'll pay much more to add it on at a later date, as you'll have to pay for scaffolding all over again.

What problems can birds cause under your solar panels?

Birds nesting under solar panels can cause chaos, messing up everything from the panels' output to the surrounding structures. In some cases, the damage can end up being an expensive headache. 

Let's look at some of these issues in more detail:

Your solar panels’ output is everything. It determines how much money you can save on your energy bills – but it can be significantly diminished by hotspots.

Once birds have nested beneath your panels, they’ll start to poo on top of them, which naturally reduces how much light can get through.

This will increase the affected cells' electrical resistance, causing hotspots, which can melt or burn the cells, damage their electrical parts, or cause cracks in the glass – all of which can permanently damage your system.

In this way, bird poo will have the same effect as permanent shading.

Birds' urine, which gets excreted at the same time as poo, can corrode your panels.

It contains uric acid, which can wear away the anti-reflective coating and reduce your system's efficiency.

If this happens to your panels, make sure to clean it away relatively quickly, especially during drier months.

Nesting birds have a habit of pecking at wiring and other components essential to the functionality of the solar panels, causing damage and reducing their output.

There are a few theories why birds do this, including that wires look like twigs they could break apart to use for their nests, and that a wire's shiny outer coating makes it look like an edible - if strange - beetle.

In any case, it's self-defeating. Birds love the warmth provided by panels, but they don't know that mindlessly breaking some cables could stop this plentiful supply of heat.

If you've ever had the pleasure of being rudely awakened by pigeons at the crack of dawn, you'll understand just how disturbing their noises can be.

Pigeons' calls are generally quiet, but if you sleep directly under your roof, they can still wake you up – particularly during mating season.

Throw in the inevitable sounds of nest-building on the roof above you, and you have a bothersome situation.

Birds, like so many animals, are a sloppy bunch. The accumulation of nesting materials and the aforementioned excrement can create an unsightly mess on rooftops.

Regular cleaning is a must, otherwise you'll end up with clogged gutters and drains.

They can also damage your roof tiles, partly through their unfortunate custom of dropping stones on it from a height as they go about building their nests.  

And if you already have a broken roof tile, they may peck at it to damage it further, so they can gain entry to your home.

To learn more, check out our guide to solar panel cleaning.

A bird’s cosy nest can attract other pests like squirrels, rats, mice, and insects who want in on the action.

These fellow trespassers can exacerbate damages to both panels and the structure of the building.

This is especially true of squirrels and all other rodents, which will instinctively chew through your panels' wiring to control the length of their teeth.

Some birds, including pigeons and sparrows, also carry mites that can infest your home.

Types of solar panel bird proofing

Solar panel bird proofing usually involves putting physical barriers around the edges of the panels, which prevent birds from nesting underneath them. However, there are a few other strategies. 

Installing wire or plastic mesh around the edges of the solar panels to prevent birds from accessing the space underneath

Placing plastic or stainless steel bird spikes around the solar panels to create an uncomfortable landing surface for birds

Adding solar ‘skirts’ to the edges of solar panels. These operate in the same way as wire mesh, except they're often the same colour as the panels

Objects such as reflective tape, scare balloons, or fake predators (like owls or hawks) can be used as visual deterrents to discourage both land- and air-based pests from getting too close

It's also worth keeping your garden clean and outdoor bins sealed, as this will deter birds (and other critters), and therefore make it less likely they’ll try to nest under your panels

Acoustic deterrents like ultrasonic devices. Humans usually can’t hear these sounds, but they're designed to repel birds – though there's no evidence they work

How much does solar panel bird proofing cost?

Compared to the overall cost of installing a solar & battery system, bird proofing is relatively inexpensive, at roughly £50 per panel.

<div style="text-align: center; font-size: 14px;">
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<table style="background: rgba(0,0,0,0.02);">
  <tr style="background: #4EE5D3; text-align: left; border-radius: 4px;">
    <th style="padding: 12px;">Solar system size</th>
    <th style="padding: 12px;">Number of panels (430W)</th>
    <th style="padding: 12px;">Rough cost of bird proofing</th>
  </tr>
  <tr style="border-bottom: 1px rgba(0,0,0,0.1) solid;">
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>2kWp</center></td>
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>5</center></td>
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>£250</center></td>
  </tr>
  <tr style="border-bottom: 1px rgba(0,0,0,0.1) solid;">
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>3kWp</center></td>
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>7</center></td>
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>£350</center></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
  <tr style="border-bottom: 1px rgba(0,0,0,0.1) solid;">
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>4kWp</center></td>
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>10</center></td>
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>£500</center></td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>5kWp</center></td>
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>12</center></td>
    <td style="padding: 12px;"><center>£600</center></td>
  </tr>
</table>
</div>
</div>

As you can see, if you were to get a 3-4kWp solar panel system (which is approximately the right size for a three-bedroom property), you’d spend about £350-500 on bird proofing.

However, these costs are in the context of getting bird protection at the same time as your solar installation – if you add protection later on, you’ll have to pay for scaffolding all over again.

Can you add bird proofing to an existing solar panel system?

In most cases you can retrofit bird proofing, but it's usually more cost-effective to do it when you install the solar panels, to make the most of the scaffolding.

What’s more, if birds have already nested under your solar panels before you add bird protection, you may also have to pay for an initial clean-up process.

How long does bird proofing last?

Bird proofing solutions can last as long as your solar panels.

If you get high-quality protection, like metal spikes, and they're installed correctly, they'll almost certainly last the full lifespan of your solar panel system – meaning upwards of 30 years.

However, it depends on the type of bird proofing you choose.

How to remove birds from under your solar panels

If you've already got birds nesting under your solar panels, be careful to avoid breaking the law.

The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 means it’s an offence to take, damage, or destroy a wild bird's nest while the nest is in use or being built.

Anyone convicted of such a crime will face a fine with no built-in limits – meaning the amount is left entirely up to the judge – or six months in prison.

You’re free to remove any inactive nests, so once you're absolutely sure the chicks and their parents have left home, feel free to take it away and clean the area thoroughly.

It's always safer to get a professional to carry out this duty, seeing as any roof work can be dangerous.

Are there any other pests that nest under solar panels?

There are other pests aside from birds that are attracted to the shelter, warmth and superior nesting spot that solar panels provide.

Just like their avian counterparts, these animals can cause damage by gnawing on wiring, breaking roof tiles, and leaving their waste everywhere.

Squirrels in particular will gnaw on anything to perform their own DIY dental work, and wires make perfect chew toys.

There have also been cases of hornets and wasps building large nests under solar panels, which can interfere with the ventilation system, since the space between your panels and the roof keeps your system cool.

This can make your system less efficient – not to mention it leads to an increased likelihood of being stung.

Fortunately, high-quality bird protection like spikes should also keep out these animals.

Next steps

Solar panels are an excellent addition to any home in the UK, but it’s important that they don’t become a home for birds in the process. If you’re thinking of getting a solar & battery system for your property, it’s sensible to invest in some sturdy bird protection. 

To discover how much a solar & battery system could save you on your energy bills, answer a few quick questions below and we’ll generate an estimate. 

Solar panel bird proofing: FAQs

How do I protect my solar panels from birds?

What is the best bird deterrent for solar panels?

How much does it cost to bird-proof solar panels?

Does bird proofing require any maintenance?

Are any birds capable of getting past bird proofing?

Is solar panel bird proofing worth it?

Do high-frequency bird deterrents work?

Why are birds afraid of reflective tape?

Here are all the reasons to bird-proof your solar panels, how much it costs, and whether it's worth it.

Solar panel bird proofing: an expert guide [UK, 2025]

Solar panel bird proofing: an expert guide

Batteries without solar panels: at a glance

🔋 With a battery, you can use an Economy 7 tariff to import cheap electricity

💷 A battery costs £2,000-£3,000 more without solar panels

👎 You’re unlikely to ever break even on a standalone battery

📈 You’ll still be vulnerable to energy price inflation

☀️ As part of a solar & battery system, a battery is extremely profitable

Despite solar panels and storage batteries being a very common and productive pairing for households in the UK, it is technically possible to have a storage battery without solar panels.

In this article, we’ll explain how it works to have a standalone battery, how much it costs, and why it makes much more financial sense to get a battery with solar panels.

At Sunsave, we don't install standalone batteries for this very reason. To find out how much a solar & battery system could save you in the long run, answer a few quick questions below and we'll generate an estimate.

Get a quote for a solar & battery system

Can you have a storage battery without solar panels?

Yes, you can have a storage battery without solar panels.

Storage batteries, or battery energy storage systems (BESS), can store electricity from a variety of sources, including the grid or renewable sources like wind or hydroelectric power.

Their primary role is to hold electricity for later use, but it doesn’t actually matter where this electricity comes from. 

Your installer will first work out where to put your battery, which will ideally be outside or in your garage (as per the latest guidelines).

You’ll also need an inverter that sits one or two metres away from your battery (if it’s not built-in), to enable the system to send information to the grid and your app, which is made by the inverter’s manufacturer.

The installer will also run a communication cable, usually known as a comms cable, between the battery and your supply meter.

It’ll then be up to you to take advantage of the ways having a battery can save you money.

You’ll need to sign up to a time of use import tariff – that is, one that comes with peak and off-peak periods.

Using your inverter app, you can set your battery to only import electricity from the grid during off-peak periods – usually nighttime hours – then use this electricity to power your home during peak times.

Some batteries communicate with the grid smartly, so they can automatically import electricity when it’s cheapest, but even then, it’s worth checking on them every so often.

You should also get an export tariff, just in case you import more electricity than you ultimately need, and end up having to send it to the grid. Unfortunately, there aren’t many export tariffs that work with just a battery.

What are the benefits of battery storage without solar?

There are just two benefits of having a battery without a solar setup.

One is financial – though the money you make will be a fraction of what you can earn with solar panels – and the other relates to power cuts. 

You can buy electricity when it’s cheaper

Understand the key limitations of battery storage without solar panels, and why it’s better to include solar.

Melody Abeni

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