Solar Panel Scams in the UK: How to Spot Them

Key Takeaways

• Scammers often impersonate legitimate MCS certified installers or falsely claim to represent MCS directly.
• Always verify an installer's MCS certification using the official "Find an Installer" tool or by contacting the MCS Customer Support Helpdesk.
• Be wary of urgent deals, "free" services, or claims that MCS has shared your details with an installer, as these are common scam tactics.
• Report any suspected solar panel scams to the Citizens Advice Consumer Service and inform MCS to help protect others.

How to spot solar panel scams in the UK

Solar panel scams in the UK often involve misleading claims, high-pressure sales tactics, or impersonation of legitimate bodies like MCS. To protect yourself, it is crucial to recognise common scam patterns and perform essential checks before committing to any solar installation.

Common Solar Panel Scam Patterns

Scammers use various methods to deceive consumers interested in solar energy. These patterns often aim to rush you into a decision or make false promises about savings or incentives.

Essential Checks to Protect Yourself

You can take several steps to verify an offer and ensure you are dealing with a legitimate installer. These checks focus on verifying credentials and understanding the terms of any agreement.

Verifying MCS Certification

MCS is the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewables, including solar panels. Its certification ensures that installers meet industry-recognised standards and use tested products. Many UK government incentives, such as the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), require MCS certification for eligibility.

To check if an installer is MCS certified:

1. Use the MCS "Find an Installer" online tool: You can search by the installer's name or certification number. You can also search by technology (e.g., solar panels) and your location.
2. Contact the MCS Customer Support Helpdesk: If you cannot find an installer or have doubts, MCS can confirm their certification status.

What MCS Will and Will Not Do

Understanding how MCS operates can help you identify fraudulent claims:

• MCS will never cold call you.
• MCS will not ask you to purchase items like warranties directly from them.
• MCS never shares your details with installers or asks them to contact you on their behalf. Any claim otherwise is untrue.

From May 2026, the Customer Insights team at MCS will contact a selection of customers with an MCS certified installation to verify their MCS certificate and ensure satisfaction. This contact will only occur if you have agreed to receive communications from MCS. The only channels for this will be via phone on 0333 103 8198 or by email at insights@mcscertified.com. MCS may also contact you if you have requested information, made a complaint, or had an MCS installation through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme to monitor for fraudulent activity.

General Advice

• Do not sign up for anything on the spot. Take time to explore all available options.
• Check if any claims in online adverts are accurate before making a purchase.
• Always check the credentials of anyone claiming to be from a genuine installer.
• If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Do not be rushed into anything. If you are in doubt, just say no.

Why MCS Certification Matters for Your Solar Installation

MCS certification is not just a quality mark; it is a gateway to financial benefits and consumer protection. It ensures that your solar panels are installed to high standards and that the products used are reliable.

MCS certification is a requirement for accessing many UK government incentives. These include:

• Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): This scheme allows you to receive payments from energy suppliers for the electricity you export to the grid. An MCS certified installation is essential to qualify for a SEG tariff. It is important to note that Ofgem does not set the export rate; energy suppliers determine their own rates, which must always be above zero. For more details on this, see our guide on the Smart Export Guarantee.
• Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS): This scheme helps homeowners in England and Wales to install low-carbon heating systems, including heat pumps, which often complement solar PV installations.
• Home Energy Scotland Grant & Loan: Available in Scotland, this provides financial support for energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements.
• Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4): This scheme, set to end on 31 December 2026, supports energy efficiency measures for low-income households.

Before proceeding with your renewable installation, always confirm that your installer is MCS certified and uses MCS certified products. This protects your investment and ensures eligibility for available support schemes. Our guide on what MCS certification is provides further details on its importance.

What to do if you suspect a scam or have a complaint

If you encounter a suspected scam or have issues with an MCS certified installation, there are clear steps to follow.

Reporting a Suspected Scam

If you want to report a scam or have any information about a possible scam, contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133.

You should also inform the MCS Customer Support Helpdesk. This helps MCS stay informed about scam tactics and provide better advice to others.

Making a Complaint About an MCS Certified Installation

If you have a problem with an MCS certified installer or installation:

1. Contact your installer first. Explain the problem and what resolution you would like. Allow them reasonable time to respond, typically up to 14 days.
2. Escalate to MCS. If your installer does not resolve the issue, you can escalate it to MCS. You can do this by completing an online form, emailing mcscomplaints@mcscertified.com, writing to MCS at First Floor, Violet 3, Sci-tech Daresbury, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, Cheshire, WA4 4AB, phoning 0333 103 8130, or using their live chat.
3. Provide necessary information. When contacting MCS, include details of what went wrong, photographic evidence, supporting documents (like contracts or quotes), your desired outcome, and your willingness to allow the installer access for remediation.
4. MCS investigation. MCS will acknowledge your complaint within 5 working days and provide updates every 10 working days. Most complaints are resolved within 8 weeks. MCS may speak to third parties, conduct a technical review, and work with your installer for a resolution.
5. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). If you are not satisfied with the outcome, your complaint may become a dispute. MCS's ADR partner is the Dispute Resolution Ombudsman (DRO), operating as The Furniture & Home Improvement Ombudsman (FHIO). Decisions are legally binding for installers certified under the redeveloped MCS Scheme. For contracts under the original Scheme (on or after 1 January 2025), ADR can be accessed if the installer agrees in writing to engage and comply with the outcome. For contracts before 1 January 2025, ADR is available via the installer’s CTSi approved Consumer Code (RECC or HIES).

What the published sources do not tell you

While MCS provides clear guidance on scam awareness and complaint procedures, specific details about the "robust protections" mentioned for MCS certified installations are not fully elaborated beyond the complaints process itself. The exact content of the "MCS Installation Standards" and "MCS Product Standards" is not detailed in the consumer-focused information. Furthermore, while MCS certification is a requirement for "many UK government incentives," no source we could reach publishes every single incentive or the precise mechanism by which MCS certification gates them, beyond the key examples of BUS, SEG, Home Energy Scotland Grant & Loan, and ECO4. This article provides general information and is not a substitute for professional legal or financial advice.