Editorial and evidence policy

Evidence before certainty

Solar proposals mix genuine physics, real cost variables and marketing language. Our guides separate what a general explanation can responsibly cover from what needs a site-specific survey and professional judgement.

Source order

1. MCS's own installation standard (currently MIS 3002 v6.0) and certified-installer register.
2. Ofgem's Smart Export Guarantee guidance, RECC's consumer code and Competition and Markets Authority guidance on unfair commercial practices.
3. Other official UK energy-policy reporting for context.
4. Commercial provider material only for clearly labelled examples, never as the sole basis for a technical or pricing claim.

AI-assisted production

Automated tools may help organise research, draft structures and refresh figures against current sources. A page is not published merely because a tool produced it. Claims must fit the cited sources, duplicate pages are avoided, and metadata must accurately describe the visible content.

Review and corrections

Every guide carries a review date. A changed date should reflect a real review or material edit — standards references are checked against MCS data at each review. Corrections are made in place. Report a problem through the complaints and corrections page.

Commercial separation

Informational ordering is based on user need, not on the commission value of an enquiry. Any active referral relationship or paid placement must be labelled. An installer cannot buy an unqualified endorsement.