Last chance for new London solar installers to claim £1,000

MCS have issued a last call for businesses wishing to claim a £1,000 grant through the Solar Skills London project ahead of 31 March 2023.

Solar Skills London is a joint project launched by MCS, Solar Energy UK and the Mayor of London’s office. It offers new solar installers, certified before 31 March 2023, a grant from the Mayor of London, which will remove the initial cost of entry in the first year.

This will be paid directly into the company’s bank account once registered on the MCS Installation Database.

The first phase of the project was launched in March 2021 and saw Solar Energy UK build a range of tools to support the development of a skilled solar workforce. These include an online careers hub, training grants and learning pathways. 

In its second phase the project is looking to develop London’s solar supply chain by recruiting 25 businesses to become certified solar PV installers – a 50 % increase to the current number of solar installation companies in London

The project also aims to increase diversity in the sector and support underrepresented groups in growing their businesses in the renewable industry.

Last October, Solar Energy UK and MCS launched the first Installer Training Hub at Solar & Storage Live. The hub, business development manager at Solar Energy UK, Sturge Mazzocchi said, was built in response to the “significant risk” to the solar sector posed by a lack of skilled workforce.

As the rollout of solar continues to pick up pace in Britain, the demand for solar installers has increased substantially. Over the last three years there’s been a 315% increase in the demand for solar installers, according to recent data from hiring platform Indeed for example.