Solar Success in the West Midlands
Craig Michael Renewables upgraded Stephen and Zoe’s Telford home in March 2023 by installing MCS certified solar panels and a battery storage system. Discover why Craig Michael Renewables chose to become MCS certified and learn about founder Craig’s day-to-day activities as an MCS certified installer. You’ll also find out why Stephen and Zoe decided to invest in renewable energy and how their new installations have positively impacted their home and lifestyle.
MEET CRAIG AND HIS TEAM
Craig Michael Renewables is an MCS certified solar PV and battery storage contractor based in the West Midlands. We spoke to founder Craig Haycock about his business’ transition to installing renewable energy and his passion for delivering quality installations for his customers.
Craig originally managed his own business for 13 years as an electrical engineer. But after seeing the growth in demand for renewable energy, he enrolled on a solar PV course and began installing solar panels.
Reflecting on the transition, Craig said, “We quickly became inundated with customers wanting to invest in home-grown energy, leading us to shift our focus to small-scale renewables at the start of 2022.”
Certification
Craig decided to become MCS certified to show his customers that he installs quality installations in line with industry-recognised standards. MCS standards are defined by industry, for industry, and ensure that renewable energy and heating systems are installed to the highest quality using certified products.
Craig said, “We chose to become MCS certified for both solar PV and battery storage installations, knowing that MCS certification, as a mark of quality, would provide assurance to our customers and ultimately strengthen our business’ reputation. The renewables industry is a growing industry with plenty of work around, and my sales have increased tenfold since I became certified.”
A TYPICAL DAY AS AN MCS CERTIFIED INSTALLER
For Craig, a typical day as an MCS certified installer involves conducting site surveys for both new and ongoing projects, designing and planning new installations, ordering materials and assisting consumers with their queries.
Craig finds satisfaction in having several weeks of installations lined up: “I enjoy it when we’ve got several weeks of work scheduled for installation. It’s incredibly satisfying to see our systems up and running, especially as we can check data remotely and can therefore keep an eye on system performance,” he says.
Besides delivering quality installations, Craig values spending time with his family. “I’ve got quite flexible working hours, which means no weekends or late nights. My wife is a Stroke Nurse and works long shifts, so it’s important for me to be there to help with the kids and other family commitments,” he explains.
Meet Stephen and Zoe
Craig and his team upgraded Stephen and Zoe’s Telford home in 2023 by installing MCS certified PV and a battery storage system. Making the move to renewable energy has been a longstanding goal for Stephen and Zoe.
“We wanted to ‘grow’ our own energy, partly to cut down on our energy bills but also to show our grandchildren that we’re doing our bit for the planet,” they said.
Stephen and Zoe’s told us that they were very impressed with their solar PV and battery storage installation and that it has provided them with around two-thirds of their electricity.
Stephen said, “The technologies have significantly decreased our energy bills, and we’ve also been able to earn money by selling the surplus electricity generated from our solar panels (and stored through the battery storage) back to the national grid through our supplier.”
Stephen added that the most surprising part of their experience has been the electricity generated by their solar panels during the colder and darker months.
“I was a bit worried about how well our system would hold up in the colder weather. But when I checked the numbers, I was happy to see that even though we didn’t make as much solar power as in the sunnier months – only about a third as much – we still generated over half of what we needed, and even, at times, sold extra electricity back to the grid.”
Why MCS?
Stephen used the ‘Find a contractor’ tool on the MCS website to search for certified solar PV and battery storage contractors near to him. He got a few quotes from MCS certified installers, but ultimately decided to go with Craig Michael Renewables.
“I didn’t consider anyone that wasn’t MCS certified,” said Stephen.
“I started researching home energy solutions online and came across MCS. Having worked in the large-scale utility generation sector I know the importance of ensuring that equipment and installations are sized correctly and built to the right standards.”
“The whole set up of MCS standards and certification is aimed at providing assurance and protection to the consumer.”
Stephen’s right, MCS gives consumers confidence to invest in small-scale renewable technologies by ensuring that renewable energy and heating systems are installed to the highest quality using certified products.
The benefits of battery storage
Installing battery storage with their solar panels was a real game-changer for Stephen and Zoe. It has allowed them to use more of the renewable energy they generate by storing it, which has saved them money on their energy bills, whilst reducing stress on the grid.
“The best part is the flexibility that the battery gives us, allowing us to sell our extra electricity back to the grid. In the future, with the new electricity tariffs that are set to be introduced, we can sell more power when prices are high and (even if it isn’t sunny) we can charge the battery up when electricity rates are lower.
Stephen added, “It’s like having a little energy bank at home, helping us get the most out of our system while keeping costs down.”
Stephen and Zoe are delighted with both their installations – and told us that the process of installing solar PV and battery storage for their home system as complicated as they thought.
Commenting on the process, Stephen said: “Craig and Bernie, from Craig Michael Renewables, were brilliant. They carried out a full home survey and discussed options with Zoe and I about which technologies would be most suitable for our home. Three months later work commenced, and our solar and battery installations were completed within a few days.”
He added: “Sometimes we put things off because we think they look complicated. Getting home renewables isn’t as complicated as you may think.”
If you’re thinking about getting a battery storage system for your home or small business, you can find an MCS certified contractor near you by visiting our MCS ‘Find a Contractor’ tool here.