This milestone comes after a record-breaking year for certified renewable installations in 2024, which shows both the growing demand for renewable energy technologies and the increasing consumer confidence in MCS-certified contractors to deliver these installations.

Following the closure of the Feed-in Tariff (FiT), MCS contractor numbers dropped from nearly 5,000 in 2012 to just 1,700 in 2019. Since then, MCS has rebuilt its contractor base, certifying around 700 new businesses yearly.

According to the MCS Data Dashboard, 1,443 installers gained certification in 2024 across a range of renewable technologies.

Solar PV saw the biggest rise, with 718 contractors gaining certification for solar PV in 2024, bringing the total number to over 4,000.

The number of MCS-certified heat pump contractors also continues to grow, with 387 becoming certified in 2024, bringing the total to over 2,000.

This rise reflects the increasing demand for low-carbon heating, as heat pump installations hit a record 60,000 last year—a 43% jump from 2023.

Battery storage also saw a growing number of contractors, with 332 contractors gaining certification in 2024, taking the total to over 2,000. The demand for battery storage is accelerating, with MCS data showing January 2025 was a record month, exceeding 2,600 installations for the technology – a 176% increase compared to January 2024.

As the numbers outline, contractors are increasingly becoming certified across multiple technologies, enabling them to provide customers with multi-technology solutions that meet industry-recognised standards.

There was also renewed momentum in the slight wind sector, with three contractors gaining certification in 2024. Ryse Energy’s G-11 wind turbine also became the first MCS certified wind product on the Scheme in three years, potentially paving the way for further growth in the UK’s small wind sector.

To further support industry growth, MCS is transitioning to the Redeveloped Installer Scheme over the next 18 months, making certification more accessible and helping more installers meet industry standards.