What are the differences between the MCS and Easy PV self-consumption calculations?

There are a few differences between the Easy PV and MCS self-consumption calculations: 


 easy-pv.co.uk MCS Easy PV
Easy PV task

Completed at the end of Performance task, select MCS in Financial task to use

Completed in Consumption task, select Easy PV in Financial task to use

System size and consumption

Strict limits: 

  • Consumption: 1500-6000kWh
  • Generation: <6000kWh
  • Usable battery capacity: <15.1kWh

No limits on system size or consumption. Any consumption, generation or battery capacity

Consumption profile Domestic profiles only: home all day, home half the day and out all day

Domestic or commercial consumption profiles. Plus the option to upload half-hourly data from customer

Method Determines self-consumption based on look-up tables specified in MGD 003, using annual generation and consumption totals Models how generation is distributed using PVGIS data, then calculates usage minute-by-minute across the entire year.
Additional options Limited since it only compares annual figures and cannot factor in real-time changes. Minute-by-minute calculation means export limits, inverter clipping, variable tariffs and forced charging/discharging of batteries are factored into calculations

 


Revision #10
Created 17 October 2025 12:04:31
Updated 3 August 2026 11:21:22