Solar Skills London – Growing London’s solar potential
Solar Skills London aims to grow the capital’s solar sector by creating career pathways for the next generation of solar experts, increasing the number of registered solar installer businesses in London and helping create more green jobs.
MCS is delivering the second phase of Solar Skills London, with the goal to fast track the uptake of solar technologies by established businesses through subsidised certification.
Working with Solar Energy UK and Community Energy London, we are also actively promoting the growing solar sector as an attractive career path to target audiences such as business owners, schools, colleges and training providers.
Project goals
Solar Skills London aims to support the Mayor of London’s commitment to achieve 1.5GW of installed solar capacity by 2030.
The first phase, launched in March 2021 and delivered by Solar Energy UK, focused on building a range of tools – such as an online careers hub , learning pathways and training grants – needed to develop a skilled solar workforce.
In the second phase, MCS is further developing the solar supply chain in London by increasing the number of businesses certified as solar PV installers in Greater London.
Currently, there are just over 50 MCS certified solar businesses in Greater London – so we are calling on Londoners to join the growing solar supply chain.
Our aim is to recruit 25 businesses to become certified for solar PV installations and to support increased diversity in the solar sector.
How does it work?
We will remove the initial cost of entry in the first year for 25 contractors that wish to become MCS certified for solar PV installations. This will be a saving of £1,000 for a business becoming certified for MCS solar PV technology.
Successful contractors will also be offered help from the MCS Scheme Support team to ensure the process is simple and understandable.
Our experienced team will mentor you through the process of certification, demonstrating the quality-based approach that is at the heart of MCS certification.
How do I apply to be a solar contractor as part of Solar Skills London?
The below application form must be completed and sent to MCS as soon as possible during the certification process. Applicants will need to provide their business banking details to MCS as well as information on their employee diversity profile.
A grant of £1000 will be payable to installers when their certification is successfully registered on the MCS Installer Database, assuming they meet these eligibility criteria:
- Installer is a newly certified Solar PV installer (current certification for other technologies does not exclude installers. New industry starters are also encouraged.)
- Installer’s registered company address has a London post code
- Installer has never previously been removed from the MCS scheme
- Certification is complete by 31 March 2023
For more information on Solar Skills London and the eligibility criteria, please see below.
What constitutes a business “in London” and how many companies are eligible?
The £1000 grant and all further support will be available for businesses within Greater London. Exact postcode eligibility can be checked with your certification body on application.
I’m already MCS certified for other renewable technologies, can I still apply?
Yes, Solar Skills London is open to any contractor within the Greater London area that wishes to enter the solar sector for the first time.
How are the MCS certification bodies involved?
Your process of application to join MCS starts with your choice of Certification Body and Consumer Code. We are specifically working with NAPIT and NICEIC but are happy to accept applications from other Certification Bodies.
To learn more about applying to MCS, visit our website.
How can I find out more about careers in the solar industry?
You can visit the Solar Skills London Online Careers Hub to find out lots more about careers in solar.