Consumer protection schemes

When you buy renewable energy technology, you are protected by schemes that cover not just the products and their performance but also the services provided by installers. There are more details on consumers' legal rights in the  consumer section of the government's Directgov site.

For you to be eligible for Feed-In Tariff,  Renewable Heat Incentive or Renewable Heat Premium Payments, both your system and your installer will have to be accredited under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme or Solar Keymark Scheme

Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS)

Logo of the MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) demonstrates that an installer can install to the highest quality every time, using MCS-certified products that have met rigorous testing standards. The scheme ensures protection relating to any technical aspect of your install.

To check that your installer is MCS certified,  search for them on the MCS website or call the Energy Saving Trust for free advice on 0800 512 012.

For more information about the scheme,  go to the MCS website.

Solar Keymark

Supported by the European Solar Thermal Industry Federation, the Solar Keymark certifies compliance of a product with the relevant European standards and is the official European benchmark for solar panels and systems.

Products that have been certified under the Solar Keymark will also be eligible for the Renewable Heat Premium Payment and future Renewable Heat Incentives.

Find out more at the Solar Keymark website.

Renewable Energy Assurance Listed (REAL assurance)

Logo of REAL - Renewable Energy Assurance Listed

Set up by the Renewable Energy Association, this is a government-backed consumer code of conduct, approved by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

All MCS-certified installers must belong to an OFT-backed consumer code-of-conduct scheme, and the REAL Assurance Scheme is currently the only one available. The scheme ensures a level of protection against the standard of service that you have received. This may encompass:

  • general business standards
  • selling techniques
  • pre-sales documentation
  • prepayment protection
  • contract terms
  • after-sales activities
  • independent conciliation and arbitration schemes.

For more information about the REAL consumer code of conduct,  go to the REAL website.

To check that your installer is a member of the REAL assurance scheme,  go to the REAL website or call REAL on 0207 981 0850.

What to do if things go wrong

Making a complaint

If you've had a system for generating your own energy installed but something has gone wrong and you need to make a complaint, we explain what to do and who to contact.

Solar PV panels

Before you start...

Energy efficiency first! Before you think about installing a system to generate your own heat, make sure your home is as energy efficient as it can be. All heat-producing systems are most efficient when used in highly insulated buildings. Focus on improving insulation and tackling draughts.

Solar Energy Calculator

See how much you could benefit by installing solar electricity panels on the roof of your home, and get a tailored report.

Publications
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The Energy Saving Trust's buyer's guides and field reports have lots of extra information about systems to let you generate your own energy.