Solarsol – Solar PV in the North East
What do I need to know?
It is important that any small-scale generation technology is specified, installed and maintained correctly for you, as the consumer. MCS wants to ensure that you know what to look out for to guarantee you have a good experience.
You need to have accurate information and enough time to understand what it is you are buying. You must be clear about what your expectations are, and you should know the extent to which the technology(ies) you are considering are capable of meeting them. In particular you should be clear about the likely performance of the system, and what this is likely to deliver for you in financial terms.
Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC)
RECC has been set up to ensure your installer provides a high quality experience, as well as offering protection for consumers. For further information on this scheme please visit the Renewable Energy Consumer Code section of this website.
Insurance and Warranties
The Deposit and Workmanship Warranty Insurance Scheme was introduced to protect your deposit. The installation company should provide you with the workmanship guarantee once the installation is complete. Find out more here.
Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
This is not an MCS requirement therefore it is the customer’s responsibility to obtain the EPC before they apply for the Feed-in Tariffs. Read more about the EPC requirements here.
Planning Permissions
Always check with your local authority to find out if you require planning permission or not. Some useful information is available in the planning section of this website.
Handover Information
Once the installation is complete, the installation company will provide you with a comprehensive handover pack, including the MCS certificate, user manual and any relevant manufacturer’s guarantees. A downloadable checklist is available here.
Rent-a-Roof Schemes
The installation company may offer free solar panels to get the income from the Feed-in Tariff (FITs), while the homeowner will benefit from the free electricity. More information and questions that you should be asking before signing the contract can be found on the Energy Saving Trust website here.
