As a major supplier to the Solar Thermal and Solar photovoltaic industry - Navitron are very much aware of the administrative and bureaucratic burden being placed upon installers with the introduction of the MCS and Feed in Tariff schemes. Ultimately these burdens are having a negative effect on the industry as it limits the ability of a non MCS installer to only carrying out work that is not to be registered under the Feed in Tariff / Renewable Heat incentive schemes.
Navitron has introduced the EasyMCS Scheme to facilitate easy access to the MCS for smaller installation companies, by making our MCS licence available to our installers. Many installers will be put off the MCS scheme because of the high level of hidden costs (you'll need to budget in excess of £5000 to comply with MCS registration requirements), and its greater emphasis on paperwork rather than workmanship. Many installers have had to take on extra staff simply to cope with the paperwork burden caused by the MCS.
Navitron believes that installers should concentrate on providing high quality workmanship, and leave us to do the paperwork. Thus, joining the Navitron EasyMCS scheme allows you to concentrate on what you're best at. Of course, if you prefer to register as an MCS installer, you can do so, and use the EasyMCS option to allow you to start doing installations right away, whilst you transit through the approval process (usually 3-6months).

Installer Obligations
The MCS scheme is heavily weighted towards the consumer. Under MCS rules, if the consumer complains, certain steps have to be taken, which are onerous both in terms of QMS and for the installer. Because of this, Navitron needs to ensure that installers take full responsibility for their installation work, and agree to comply with the MCS requirements. Therefore installers taking advantage of Navitron's EasyMCSTM scheme must agree to the following:

The installer must use 'competent persons' to sign off work requiring certification (eg Part P).
The installer must attend a recognised solar installation training course, eg BPEC, City & Guilds or attend one of our “In House” installation courses run by Epogee.
The installer must provide copies of his Training Certificate, Public Liability Insurance Certificate, and the certificates of any subcontractors used for certification or work.
The installer is responsible for ensuring that they comply with ther “Working at Hieght regulations – 2005” when carrying out above ground installation works.
The installer agrees to carry out the installation according to MCS standards, and in compliance with any specific instructions provided by Navitron.
The installer agrees to work to a high standard and guarantee their workmanship for a period of 2 years from commisioning.
The installer will be responsible for the quality of the installation. If this falls short of the requirements of the MCS standard, it will be the installer's responsibility to rectify this, at his cost.
If the customer makes any complaint regarding the installation, the installer will be required to visit the customer to assess the problem within 14days, at his costs, regardless of whether or not the customer's complaint is upheld. (This only applies if the installation is still within its 2 year
workmanship warranty period).
In the event of equipment failure within the guarantee period, the installer will be required to diagnose and rectify the problem. The failed equipment will be exchanged free of charge by Navitron, but the installer will be expected to carry out the remedial work at his cost.
If the installer is unable to attend the customer's site for a meeting, assessment or rectification work as detailed above, Navitron will arrange an alternative installer, the cost of which will be the responsibility of the original installer contracted for that job.
*RHI not available until April2011. Payment of RHI dependent on government honouring announcements made in Feb2010!

Joining the scheme
If you are interested in joining the “Easy MCS” scheme you can download all this information as a PDF including the registration form by clicking here. You can send it along with the required documentation either by E-Mail to mcs@navitron.org.uk

or by mail to:

The MCS Manager
Navitron
2 Lands End Way
OAKHAM
Rutland
LE15 6RB