Greg Barker launches third edition of MCS PV installation guide

The long-awaited update to the MCS's guide to installing PV systems has been published today to mark the launch of the Restarting the Market Roadshows.

Launched by Energy Minister Greg Barker, the updated Guide to the Installation of Photovoltaic Systems will have a significant effect on the UK solar industry because following the guide is currently one of the requirements under the MCS scheme, which must be adhered to in order to qualify for feed-in tariff payments.

The first edition of the guide was published in 2002, with the second edition introduced in 2006. Since the second edition was introduced, the UK solar industry underwent a huge transformation after the introduction of the feed-in tariff scheme. As a result of the huge improvement in technology and the growth of the UK market the second guide required an almost complete overhaul.

The MCS PV working group has been working hard to update the guide to better reflect the maturity and complexity of the UK solar market. However, the industry has expressed frustrations at the continued delays to the document. Back in September 2012, MCS announced on its website that the guide was “due imminently“.

MCS will provide a full introduction and update to the latest MCS guide at the series of roadshows being held across the country orgnanised by Solar Media, which publishes Solar Power Portal. Also speaking at the event will be Martin Cotterell – a key member of the MCS PV working group who will be able to answer any queries surrounding changes outlined in the guide.

There will be a three month transitional period from today until use of the new guide's requirements will become mandatory. 

Below are the full dates and times of the Restarting the Solar Market series of roadshows: