Better regulation is needed in the solar industry to protect customers from cowboy builders. These were the words of leading voices in the relatively new sector.
Speaking at Solar Power UK in Birmingham, two solar bosses told ELN more had to be done to give consumers the confidence to have solar panels installed. Gregory Spanoudakis, President of European Operations for Canadian Solar UK said: “The installers need to go through some type of certification programme as they do in other parts of Europe. Especially in a virgin market, there should have been an accreditation programme.”
Often compared to the double glazing salesmen of a couple of decades ago, such unaccredited workmen risk tarnishing the name of solar power in the UK.
Carsten Pump said the Microgeneration Certification Scheme simply wasn’t good enough. The Managing Director of Wagner & Co said: “This is a problem. I don’t think the MCG scheme is securing the industry from cowboy builders or from bad products. I’m sorry to say but MCS is just a money-making vehicle. It doesn’t protect the industry and I think there needs to be a body that makes sure everything is done the correct way.”