Government publishes yet annother consultation on Microgeneration

[A.L.]

hi all,

Climate Change Minister Greg Barker today launched a formal consultation document on the coalition’s Microgeneration Strategy.

www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/news/PN10_131/PN10_131.aspx - link at bottom of page

have not had time to read it all but on page 17

We therefore propose that the MCS should be extended to provide certification for installations larger than the strict microgeneration limit as set out in the Energy Act 2004. This is primarily to support projects at a community scale, but we also need to consider implications for the commercial sector, particularly given the much larger capacities eligible for the Feed-In tariff and potential uncapped limit for the Renewable Heat Incentive.

nothing yet on RHI

[Ivan]

I thought this government were keen on reducing red tape, rather than extending it. Another waste of taxpayers' money.....paving the way for more money to be wasted by the laughable MCS scheme

[Outtasight]

It says something like "While we acknowledge that there's an issue with small companies and individual installers... tough luck.  We'll think about it later."

It still completely ignores DIY installers.

Extending the MCS reign of power to solar thermal installations?  Better get my "transition period" DIY install in double quick then... 

Under the quality section of the consultation, one of the main points seems to be how to off-load the loss making "not for profit" MCS body on to a private company.  Not sure how this relates to the "quality" of the services provided...

[malkybydan]

The whole system of MCS, RHI and FITs is going to collapse due to the way it has been set up and run. The biggest barriers to a greener future are the latest government because they can't fund the last government’s reckless promises.
I put my small business through MCS accreditation at great expense in 2008, but could not find enough work due to all the uncertainty about the grant system so closed it down in early 2009. We only did a handful of installation because my main competitors where unregistered dodgers who would rip people off and not tell them about the grants available. I spent too much time advising ripped off consumers about why there system didn’t perform and was sometime verbally abused because we where MCS registered and should help them out. My business is also Gas safe registered and I think we will be sticking to the Gas market until this mess is all sorted out.

Why products that have already been approved for use in the EU need addition accreditation is a huge money making con and should be investigated by the DTI. The gravy train will roll on for some time yet so will wait a few years until all this nonsense disappears before installing renewable tech again.
I found REA/Real to be totally incompetent and not up to the task of policing consumer protection or for that matter ensuring that there members where provided a service.