The vast majority of UK businesses are concerned with saving energy, according to UrbanWind, the renewable energy company. NAPIT claim this is an opportunity for Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) installers to gain commercial business.
The survey from UrbanWind found 94% of UK businesses have or are actively pursuing an energy reduction programme. Due to rising energy bills it makes sense for companies to look into saving money through renewable energy solutions. Installers can take advantage of this by gaining MCS to install these types of technologies.
This comes at a time when renewable energy power capacity is growing at its fastest ever rate, with green technologies now producing 22% of global electricity. The government is also aiming to boost business interest in sustainable heating systems through the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI). The RHI helps businesses, public sector and non-profit organisations meet the cost of installing renewable heat technologies over a period of 20 years through retrospective payments for any heat produced.
MCS Certification covers the installation of biomass, heat pumps (air source and ground source), micro hydro turbines, micro combined heat and power (CHP) systems, pitched roof mounting systems, solar photovoltaic, solar thermal and wind turbines. MCS is limited by scale, not by location, so installations under the scheme can be on domestic, commercial or industrial properties. The current scheme covers electricity generation capacity up to 50kW and heating capacity up to 45kW, making it ideal for smaller businesses to use MCS installers for these technologies.
David Cowburn, managing director of NAPIT Certification, said: “The current climate of positivity within the renewables industry, coupled with the demand from businesses to save money through energy saving, creates a perfect opportunity for installers to provide renewable technologies. MCS installers who install technologies that are eligible under the RHI are in the perfect position for businesses to get in touch with them and utilise their services. The skills and approach instilled by membership of MCS can prove really valuable, even when working on larger projects.”