- Solar PV installer training -

Endorsed by SAPVIA PV GreenCard

PV GreenCard - Qualification• For very long there was no formal qualification in South Africa for

doing solar PV designs, installations and/or commissioning.

• Pr. Eng/Tech normally had to do the design which was very costly.

• SAQA (South African Qualification Authority) registered qualification Solar Photovoltaic Service Technician (ID: 99447) was accepted Dec. 2016.

• The qualification was made of 80% QCTO (Quality Council for Trades & Occupations) electrical modules and 20% solar PV modules.

• SAPVIA (South African PV Industry Association) PV GreenCard short course was developed to cover the solar PV modules.

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PV GreenCard - Qualification

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PV GreenCard – Enlisted Installers

• In Germany all installers had to have a PV Passport in place to be allowed to do solar PV installations.

• SAPVIA undertook the same initiative by allowing voluntary installers who passed the PV GreenCard assessment to complete and issue PV GreenCards to their customers.

• All installers will be listed on the PV GreenCard database. (https://www.pvgreencard.co.za/reg/installers/inst-directory.php)

• Multiple municipalities are buying into the PV GreenCard concept even though the participation is voluntary.

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Germany – PV Passport

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PV GreenCard

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Installer Company Database

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PV GreenCard in SA

Why PV green card?

– Most PV solar installers do not know how to install a

proper, safe and well working system

– Roof builders doing electrician work and vice versa

– No quality guarantee for costumers were given

– In Germany; almost 40% of fire damage was due to

installation failure and more than 30% due to product

failure

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PV GreenCard in SA

With PV green card;

– Installers and customers will be sensitised for quality

installations, components and understand the

risks involved

– Improve the safety and quality of PV installations

– Installers vetted through the PV GreenCard system

– Indirectly, create more sustainable market uptake of

rooftop PV in South Africa

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PV GreenCard in SA

The PV GreenCard will serve as a measure for high quality

installation as an as-build report and aims to cover

standards and best practices for the following areas:

– PV solar components

– AC installation (especially in terms of grid connection)

– DC installation (DC cable, Switches, fuses, etc)

– Lightning protection

– Fire safety

– Rooftop installation

– Safety at work

– Commissioning, Operation and Maintenance

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PV GreenCard – As Build form

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PV GreenCard

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Building Blocks of Quality and Safe

PV Installations

QCTO CurriculumSAPVIA PV

Assessment

Standards (SANS 10142-

1-2)

SAPVIA Industry Guidelines

PV Short

Course

SAPVIA PV GreenCard

SAPVIA Approved PV Installer Database

Competent PV

installers

Standardised

practices

Standardised

“as-built report”

PV GreenCard

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Solar PV Assessment

Assessment to prove a) mounting and b) installing competency

Practical and theoretical elements

Recognition of prior learning (RPL Toolkit)

PV Installer Course

1 week short course with focus on design and compliance

Special additional focus on the DC-side of PV systems

Includes minimum requirements to install a PV system

Quality FrameworkTraining and Assessment

PV GreenCard

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Customer Installers

PV Assessment

Pass Fail

Training

Choose an Installer

Requirements for Registration

DoL Registration Pass PV Assessment Registration Fee

Checklist for Customer

Fill in required fields Compliance Checklist GreenCard Fees

Benefits of a PV

GreenCard and the

Installer Database

Activate the PV GreenCard RedCard the Installation

Redeploy InstallerAdress Customer Complaints

SAPVIA Endorsed PV Installer Database

Checklist for Installations

Issue PV GreenCard

Address Customer Complaints

PV GreenCard – Can provide relevant

info for Municipal application processes

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DoL registered Electricians vs non-

ElectriciansElectricians Registered with the

Department of Labour (DoL)

Non-Electrician

• Can do PV GreenCard assessment

and training

• Can become an SAPVIA endorsed

PV GreenCard installer and listed

on database

• Can do the installation themselves

• Can fill in and issue CoC and PV

GreenCard form for the installation

• Can acquire Qualification Solar PV

service Technician ID 99447

• Can do PV GreenCard assessment

and training

• Can become an SAPVIA endorsed

PV GreenCard installer and listed

on database

• Shall do work under the supervision

and control of a registered person.

• Cannot fill in nor issue CoC or PV

GreenCard form for the installation.

• Cannot claim part qualification;

need to attend 2 year training.

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