Site Logo

Installer MID guidance

MID Guidance for Installers

Find any guidance you may need on using the MCS Installations Database (MID).

Visit the MID
Home|Installers|Help & Resources
Installer holding sign.

About the MID

The MCS Installations Database, often abbreviated to the MID, is a central online database that holds the information of every MCS certified small-scale, low-carbon installation in the UK since 2008. The MID is the most comprehensive reference for small-scale, renewable energy installations in the UK. It is unique to MCS and continues to be the single reference point for compliant installation information. It is used by stakeholders across industry, including the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem to inform policy development and facilitate regulatory activities.

All MCS installations must be registered in the MID. For each installation, a certificate must be obtained from the database and provided to the customer within 10 working days following the system’s commissioning date, as outlined in the MCS Standards. To reflect this requirement, the MID will not allow the registration of an MCS certificate with a commissioning date of more than 10 working days in the past.

An MCS certificate is proof that an installation has been designed, installed and commissioned to the highest standard using only MCS certified products by an MCS certified installer. It enables customers to access eligible financial incentives and is also used by energy suppliers to verify the installation’s eligibility.

All MCS certified products are listed in the MID. This enables installers to review and select appropriately certified products to complement their installation.

If you need assistance with any aspect of MCS certificates or the MID, please contact the MCS Customer Support Helpdesk.

How to raise an MCS certificate

To create an MCS certificate on the MCS Installation Database (MID), you need to log in. If you need any assistance with your username or password, please contact the MCS Customer Support Helpdesk.

Once logged in, click ‘CREATE CERTIFICATE’ – this will then take you through a number of steps where you will fill in details of the installation.

Once all the steps have been completed, you will be able to generate your certificate. You should print this out and include it in the Handover Pack for the customer.

You can also choose to send the certificate electronically.

What if I’ve not created the MCS certificate within the 10-day window?

If you have failed to register an installation within the 10-working day rule as per the MCS Installation Standards, then you are still able to register these installations. However, in this instance, this will need to be done with your Certification Body. Please follow these steps:

  • You will need to create the certificate (see above) and select the commissioning date as 10 days ago.
  • The following day, you will be able to go back into the certificate and click the ‘EDIT’ button.
  • This will then send an automated request directly to your Certification Body, advising them that you wish to amend the commissioning date on the certificate.
  • Your Certification Body will be in touch with you to confirm the reasons for the amendment.
  • Once your certification body has authorised this, you will receive an email confirmation.
  • Within 24 hours of authorisation being granted, you will then be able to log back in to make the amendment to the commissioning date.

If the time expires and you haven’t had the opportunity to amend – you will need to start this process from the beginning.

How to amend an MCS certificate

From time to time, we understand admin errors may occur when creating an MCS certificate. All fields on an existing MCS certificate can be amended at any time by an installer (except for the commissioning date – which requires CB approval).

To amend an MCS certificate;

  • Search for the certificate that needs amending,
  • click ‘EDIT’,
  • you will then be able to go through the steps and amend the required field(s),
  • once you have finished, click ‘FINISH MAKING UPDATES’,
  • this will then override the previous version of the certificate giving you your most up-to-date version of the MCS certificate,
  • provide the system owner with the updated version.

Please note that all edits are recorded and provide an audit trail. This is visible to FiT licensees.

How to use the MID

For those who need a helping hand when using the MID, we’ve created some simple step-by-step guides for our installers that you can access below.

Biomass

725263

Biomass: Certificate Creation Guidance

View Download

Electricity Generating Technologies

651891

Electricity Generating Technologies: Certificate Creation Guidance

View Download
pilon icon

Heat Pump Technologies

773666

Heat Pump Technologies: Certificate Creation Guidance

View Download

Solar Heating

608709

Solar Heating: Certificate Creation Guidance

View Download

Battery Storage

2521115

Battery Storage: Certificate Creation Guidance

View Download

Payment

1580961

New Payment Gateway & IWA IBG integration

View Download
handshake icon

PayPal

1404207

PayPal Manual for MCS installers

View Download
handshake icon

MID Notifications

953709

MID Notifications Guidance

View Download
speaker icon

Access to the MID

Your Certification Body grants login access to the MID. If you require any assistance with accessing the MID, please contact the MCS Customer Support Helpdesk.

If an MCS installer has been suspended or removed from the Scheme, access to the MID will be revoked and they will not be able to view, generate or make amendments to MCS certificates. Customers who are seeking amendments to their certificates (where the installer no longer has access to the MID) should be advised to contact our Customer Support Helpdesk.

Installers who are reinstated onto the Scheme will have their access rights returned by their Certification Body.