March 17, 2008—Specifiers working in microgeneration in the EU will soon be able to choose from a recognized list of approved products. Following notification of the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to the European Commission, MCS is now fully operational and open for the approval of products.
The program is making good progress in assessing heat pumps, solar heating collectors, micro wind turbines, and non roof-integrated solar photovoltaic products. MCS standards are currently being finalized for integrated solar PV and solar heating collectors, inverters, biomass, hydro turbines, combined heat and power, and fuel cell products.
For the purposes of grants under the Low Carbon Building Programme (LCBP), BERR (formerly the Department of Trade and Industry) is accepting products that are:
- a) certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme
- b) non roof- integrated solar thermal products which bear the Solar Keymark
- c) products on the “Clear Skies” list (until further notice).
So far the MCS installer program has attracted more than 400 installer applications, and over 100 assessments have been completed. Once certified, installers will be able to carry out installations that are eligible for grants under the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) and to use the MCS certification mark.
For further information visit the MCS Web site.
