INSTALLER RESOURCES
Renewables Insurance Backed Guarantee Guides
For solar, battery, heat pump and EV charger installers. What MCS requires, what the new rules change, and how the right Insurance Backed Guarantee keeps grant-funded work flowing.
Under the redeveloped MCS installer scheme (MCS 26), every registered installer must give the homeowner an Insurance Backed Guarantee from an MCS-approved provider on domestic jobs — a minimum of six years’ cover, with deposit protection included. All MCS-certified installers must be on the redeveloped scheme by 31 March 2027. HomePro received MCS 26 accreditation in July 2026 and has issued over 1.78 million Insurance Backed Guarantees since 1999.
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RENEWABLES
All Renewables Guides
Guides for MCS-certified installers — solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and EV chargers. Scheme rules, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, and diversifying into renewables. New guides added regularly.
RENEWABLES
Quick answers for installers
The questions our team gets asked most often — answered clearly, without jargon. Last updated July 2026.
Do solar and heat pump installers need an Insurance Backed Guarantee under MCS?
Yes, under both regimes. Installers still on the legacy MCS scheme must belong to an approved Consumer Code (RECC or HIES), which requires an Insurance Backed Guarantee on domestic work. Installers on the redeveloped scheme (MCS 26) must instead provide an MCS-approved financial protection product — an Insurance Backed Guarantee — on every domestic job.
What does the redeveloped MCS scheme (MCS 26) require?
A minimum six-year Insurance Backed Guarantee with deposit protection, from an MCS-approved provider, on every domestic installation. Separate Consumer Code membership is no longer required under the redeveloped scheme. The transition is rolling out now, with all MCS-certified installers required to move over by 31 March 2027.
Do I still need RECC or HIES membership?
Not once you’re on the redeveloped MCS scheme — consumer protection is handled by MCS directly, and DESNZ recognises the scheme as a standalone Code of Practice. One exception: Flexi-Orb-certified installers doing domestic work must still belong to a CTSI-approved Consumer Code.
Does Boiler Upgrade Scheme work need an Insurance Backed Guarantee?
Yes, in practice. Homeowners can only claim the grant when the work is done by an MCS-certified installer, and MCS rules require approved financial protection on domestic jobs. If heat pumps funded by the Boiler Upgrade Scheme are part of your plans, your Insurance Backed Guarantee arrangements need to be in place first.
Can one provider cover solar, battery storage, heat pumps and EV chargers?
Yes. With HomePro, one membership covers multiple renewable trades, so you don’t need a separate provider for each technology you install.
How long does a renewables Insurance Backed Guarantee last?
A minimum of six years on domestic jobs under MCS 26. The cover mirrors your own written guarantee, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy — if you give a longer guarantee, ask your provider what maximum term is available.
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