Low Carbon Landscapes

What is Low Carbon Landscapes?

Low Carbon Landscapes is our initiative to showcase this valuable data and success stories of small-scale renewables – making our insights readily accessible to the industry.

The MCS Installations Database (MID) contains detailed records of every MCS certified small-scale renewable energy installation across the UK since 2008. This rich dataset uniquely positions MCS to deliver data-driven insights that support and drive sector-wide progress.

This hub includes a range of data-driven tools, such as a detailed 2022 certified installation performance report for the UK, the MCS Data Dashboard and a range of case studies. It’s valuable to talk with the many people installing renewable technologies as well as the people installing them, showcasing the benefits to homes, businesses and the importance of MCS certification.

About the MCS Data Dashboard

The MCS Data Dashboard provides near-real-time dynamic visualisations of the uptake of small-scale renewable technologies across the UK. Crucially, it also provides us with insight to shape the future, showcases the many opportunities that are now open to us, and highlights the long-term policy framework needed from the government to enable the sector to flourish.

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A look at the nations

England Embraces Renewable Energy

England installed over 180,000 certified small-scale renewables, such as solar PV, heat pumps and battery storage in 2023 alone. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) plays a big part in heat pump uptake in England, with heat pump numbers set for a record-breaking year in 2024.

Wales Leads with a Strong Renewables Workforce

Wales ended 2023 on top for small-scale renewable installation uptake in 2023, surpassing the rest of the UK nations! Wales also ended 2023 six areas in the UK’s top 10 for renewable uptake being the Isle of Anglesey, Ceredigion, Powys, Gwynedd, Pembrokeshire and Denbighshire

Scotland Drives Forward in Sustainable Energy

Scotland, which had the highest renewable uptake in 2022, fell just short of Wales with over 8.2% of households having a renewable installation by the end of 2023. In 2024, Scotland is on track for a record-breaking year for certified heat pump installations, with over 5,000 installed from January 2024 to August 2024. More people are investing in heat pumps to keep their homes warm in colder climates.

Northern Ireland is Navigating Net Zero

Northern Ireland is making progress in terms of transitioning to renewable energy. Our latest data shows that there are nearly 35,000 small-scale renewable installations in Northern Ireland, which accounts for just under 4.6% of households having a renewable installation.