The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) today (19 October) launched the Renewable Installer Accreditation Scheme, aiming to provide an affordable alternative to the current Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

The programme, devised in conjunction with HHIC's partners, is based on the Competent Person Schemes (CPS) and TrustMark and aims to ensure that a quality service is delivered to the consumer, but at a fair price to the installer.

According to the HHIC, MCS had just 3,544 members as of 16 September.

Isaac Occhipinti, the member organisation's head of external affairs, said: “HHIC has long been a critic of MCS as it is too bureaucratic and expensive, but with government support for microgeneration technologies waning we do believe that an alternative is needed to keep interest in the renewables market alive and protect quality and consumers.

“Our new scheme is based on the existing Competent Person Schemes and TrustMark and has been created through consultation with full industry backing.

“The potential cost saving for installers using CPS and TrustMark as an equivalent scheme to MCS and a suitable Consumer Code is between £1,500 and £2,000, based on 30 notifiable jobs a year, a two-year warranty and 10 employees,” he said.

“We believe that this offers excellent value for installers as most are already CPS registered while still delivering a quality service to consumers,” Mr Occhipinti added.

Further details of the scheme are available by visiting www.eua.org.uk