Thermodynamic solar panels are temporarily being suspended from the Microgeneration Certificate Scheme (MCS) installation database.
In a letter to MCS-registered solar thermal installers, Gemserv - which runs the MCS scheme on behalf of the Government - said: 'This decision does not mean that the products cannot be installed in the UK, simply that they cannot be registered within the MCS installation database.'

Gemserv cited a number of reasons for the decision. Among them were:

· The performance of UK installed products could not be fully determined.
· Systems with a compression heat exchange unit were unable to meet the requirements for completing SAP and performance estimation calculations required under MCS.
· It was unclear how the requirements of Part G of the building regulations would be met.
· A decision was needed about whether thermodynamic panels should be classified as solar thermal or heat pump systems.

Gemserv added that no further installations could be registered within the MCS installation database after 19 November, but that MCS was working with a number of manufacturers 'to develop the requirements either by extension to the existing MIS 3001 or MIS 3005 or a brand new scheme if appropriate'.