Batteries to MCS or not MCS.

[Lincolnshire Ian]

We are looking at a solar PV and battery setup on our new build. We are getting quotes and noticing that some installers are MCS certified for panels and batteries and some just panels. We always have one eye on selling a house before we build or buy it and I was wondering if anyone had run up against a problem with selling a house without a MCS certificate for the storage battery. 

Thanks 

[G and J]

Maybe a dumb question but if one has MCS’d solar panels then one can earn from export, so adding a non MCS’d battery later automatically allows selling stored cheap leaky back, should you wish.   
 

Or have I missed something (again)?

[joth]

1 hour ago, Lincolnshire Ian said:

if anyone had run up against a problem with selling a house without a MCS certificate for the storage battery. 

Goodness if the battery caused any issues with house sale I'd just disconnect it and take it with me. 

Edited February 2 by joth

[JohnMo]

2 minutes ago, joth said:

Goodness if the battery caused any issues with house sale I'd just disconnect it and take it with me. 

Not even sure I would leave them in the house, just take them with you.

 

MCS battery install, doesn't allow you export and get paid for it. Panels yes - battery no.

[sharpener]

On 02/02/2025 at 18:03, JohnMo said:

MCS battery install, doesn't allow you export and get paid for it.

 

Don't see why not subject to DNO approval. Not sure if DNO needs MCS for battery, mine didn't, was self-installed.

 

However in getting the Octopus export tariff the MCS cert does save the £250 fee and maybe loads of aggro, see this thread.

 

My second array of panels is wired in to the 48V battery via a charge controller, so the installers said they couldn't provide an MCS cert as it has to have an AC meter serial number. A brief discussion about the balance due on completion resulted in a swift change of heart and certificate with the number off a random meter still in their stores.

 

Would be surprised if your typical conveyancing solicitor is sufficiently clued up on what paperwork is appropriate for the electric house with all mod cons, solar PV, battery, heat pump, EVCP etc.

 

 

Edited February 7 by sharpener
Added link

[JohnMo]

55 minutes ago, sharpener said:

Not sure if DNO needs MCS for battery

It doesn't 

 

56 minutes ago, sharpener said:

However in getting the Octopus export tariff the MCS cert does save the £250 fee

Granted, but will not give you anything without solar as well.

 

£250 at 5p (without a smart meter) is 5000kWh of export. Or at 15p (with smart meter) is 1666kWh.

 

5000kWh represents 1 whole year of generation for me. It's not effective to pay £250. 1.6kWh escaped today and less yesterday. Would rather put into hot water and into floor via ASHP (23kWh of heat into floor today at a CoP of 4).

[sharpener]

30 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

Granted, but will not give you anything without solar as well.

 

Some ppl are prepared to use battery for arbitrage between the 5p on Cosy off-peak and their Fixed Export at 15. Depends if the warranty is on elapsed time or number of cycles. Might think about it later in the spring when I don't need all the storage for the HP.