Who we are: 

The MCS Foundation engages in grants, advocacy, research, and programmes to drive the widespread adoption of renewable energy technologies in UK homes. We were founded in 2018 to oversee the MCS, the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewables like solar panels and heat pumps. Since then, we’ve distributed more than £3 million to organisations across the UK, contributed to the development of ambitious government policies, and overseen record growth in certified renewable installations. 

How we will accelerate change: 

Significant strides toward a carbon-carbon free future have been made in recent years. Renewables generated more than half of the UK’s electricity in 2025, up from just 19% just a decade ago. However, UK homes have largely been left behind on the UK’s decarbonisation journey.  

To accelerate change, The MCS Foundation’s work is focused  around three core pillars: 

• Clarity: Making low-carbon home upgrades simple, clear and desirable for households, reducing fragmentation and confusion for consumers.  

• Affordability: Ensuring low-carbon homes are affordable for all households, increasing upfront affordability and recognising performance in property value.  

• Authority: Driving quality through standards and expectations for small-scale renewables. 

About MCS:

MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is the UK’s quality mark for small-scale renewable energy systems like solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage. It has two main roles: setting and maintaining standards for installers and products and providing consumer protection.

The MCS Foundation oversees MCS and its activity. Being owned by a charity ensures that MCS is not driven by profits and is run for public benefit. Any surplus that MCS makes is reinvested back into the sector to help grow the industry through the work of The MCS Foundation and the certification scheme.

Our status:

The MCS Foundation is the operating name of the MCS Charitable Foundation, a UK registered charity.