Media pack, visuals and infographics to use alongside our data
MCS has pioneered the installation of small-scale renewable energy technology across Great Britain and while we have been raising consumer confidence to invest in home-grown energy, we’ve also been monitoring uptake over the last 14 years.
This report outlines the journey since 2007 and shows the dramatic change in the landscape for low carbon technologies over the past 14 years. Crucially, it also provides us with insight to shape the future, showcases the many opportunities that are now open to us, and highlights the long-term policy framework needed from government to enable the sector to flourish.
We believe that small-scale renewables must play a crucial role in tackling the climate emergency and greening Britain's homes. Through raising consumer confidence and a supportive government policy framework, small-scale renewables can become the norm, and not the exception.
That’s why we work to create a future where every UK home and business has renewable energy sources installed – supporting the growth of the sector, ensuring quality and helping deliver the government’s commitment to Net Zero carbon emissions.
Download the full report About MCSIn 2008, there were just 43 small-scale renewable installations registered under MCS.
By the end of 2020, this figure had exceeded 1.2 million
Since 2007, MCS installations have saved nearly ten million tonnes of CO2e.
(gas fuelled)
every year for the past ten years
Forests; areas with the most installations
Deserts; areas with the least installations
162,423 installations
1 in 15 households
144,175 installations
1 in 18 households
107,829 installations
1 in 18 households
73,527 installations
1 in 19 households
57,846 installations
1 in 20 households
111,906 installations
1 in 22 households
102,447 installations
1 in 23 households
160,693 installations
1 in 23 households
89,345 installations
1 in 26 households
105,252 installations
1 in 30 households
46,548 installations
1 in 72 households
Top ten areas of home-grown energy
To better reflect the extent to which renewables have been adopted in an area, we calculated the number of MCS certified installations as a percentage of the number of households in a local authority since 2008.
Areas with the lowest home-grown energy
The ten local authorities with the lowest percentage of households with an MCS certified installation.
Based on the data analysis outlined in our report, we have compiled a list of key recommendations and findings for the industry, that outlines our path to achieving the UK’s Net Zero target.
Learn from successes
Particularly the success of renewables in rural areas
Set clear, ambitious,
evidence-driven targets
To tackle gaps and drive an increase in installations
Devise an integrated
package of support
To help households and property owners to access not just any renewable system, but the right system for them and the area they live in
Continuation of the
redevelopment of MCS
To ensure high standards for the sector and to support new installers to become certified
Removing VAT on domestic
renewables for ten years
This will reduce costs for consumers and reduce paperwork for contractors. We believe that zero carbon should equal zero VAT
Changing building regulations so that all new build homes from 2024 have zero carbon heating options
Building regulations are vital in transforming how new homes are built, the energy efficiency measures and how they are heated
MCS is a standards organisation.
We create and maintain standards that allows for the certification of products, installers and their installations. Associated with these standards is the certification scheme, run on behalf of MCS by Certification Bodies who hold UKAS accreditation to ISO 17065.
MCS certifies low-carbon products and installations used to produce electricity and heat from renewable sources.
MCS is a mark of quality. Membership of MCS demonstrates adherence to these recognised industry standards; highlighting quality, competency and compliance.
Visit our website
MCS Charitable Foundation is a new organisation with big ambitions.
Our vision is a world where everyone has access to affordable and reliable renewable energy and low carbon technologies – for the benefit of our environment, our communities and the general public.
As a Foundation we work to increase public confidence, awareness and access to renewable energy and low carbon solutions across the UK. We support education and engagement programmes, fund research and facilitate innovative solutions to drive widespread adoption.
Visit the websiteFor media enquiries, please contact Rumpus on mcs@rumpuspr.com or 0161 942 9988.
Thank you to all the organisations who we have worked with across the years, and who have provided data for this report
