Leading certification body, BABT/TÜV SÜD Product Service, has started providing assessments of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for the UK market only 16 months ago and is now proud to announce its 100th customer under the UK Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS), making it the leading MCS certification body for PV modules.

MCS has been developed as an independent Government-backed scheme that allows certification of various types of microgeneration products such as PV modules in accordance with consistent standards. Under the scheme a small number of independent and impartial third party organisations such as BABT/TÜV SÜD Product Service have been appointed to perform assessment services on solar PV modules, leading to certification under the scheme.  

Only installations using MCS certified PV solar panels can benefit from the subsidised UK feed-in tariffs that allow householders and any other owners of PV equipment to sell any excess electricity generated back to the power companies. 

Certification is achieved by demonstrating compliance with the requirements set out in the MCS standards through product testing and a factory production control audit. These results are then submitted to an accredited MCS certification body, such as BABT/ TÜV SÜDProduct Service, which assesses and certifies them and then recommends the public listing on the MCS website to the scheme licensee.

If successfully certified, the product is affixed with the MCS logo and the certification body logo, and with a unique certification number which demonstrates to PV users and approved installers that the use of the products entitles them to benefit from the UK feed-in tariffs.