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MCS disputes renewable energy installer shortage
12/03/10
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has disputed a claim in the Sunday Times that a lack of qualified builders and installers could scupper the government's plans to boost the adoption of renewable energy sources among residential property. In its report, the newspaper said that there are around 500 tradesmen qualified to install this type of equipment for a scheme that aims to incentivise the use of solar panels and wind turbines in millions of homes.
By comparison, the Sunday Times said there are 120,000 members of the Gas Safe Register, formerly Corgi.
MCS licensee Alexander Ring said that there are currently 560 certified installers of renewable energy systems, with an average of eight to ten people qualifying every week.
Of these, 335 have MCS accreditation to install solar thermal technology, while 87 are cleared to install wind energy sources.
He added that the MCS will shortly introduce a standard for micro hydro power.
Under the feed-in tariff scheme, households that generate up to five megawatts of electricity from low carbon sources like solar panels will be paid for the power, even if they use it themselves. The scheme comes into force on April 1st.
