WĀNANGA

Successful participation is the key qualification to become part of the PV GreenCard programme.

GREEN Solar Academy, SAPVIA and GreenCape encourage Solar PV installers to undertake a 2-day voluntary PV assessment. The skills assessment allows participants to test their theoretical and practical capability of installing PV rooftop systems. It is intended that this assessment will lead the way for the development of a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Toolkit in order to accumulate credits counting towards an officially-recognized qualification. GREEN Solar Academy operates SAPVIA PV Assessment Centres in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Ballito, KZN.

Installers who successfully complete the assessment will receive a Certificate from GREEN Solar Academy and will qualify to be part of a SAPVIA-endorsed installer database which also forms a key entry point to become part of the PV GreenCard programme.

The ideal preparation for the  assessment is participation in the SuperSolarSchool , the SAPVIA endorsed 5-day preparation course.

  

PV Assessment Agenda

The PV assessment lasts 2 days, one day theoretical assessment and one day practical assessment.

For the remainder of 2022, the structure for the assessment will be as follows:

• 12h30pm to 5pm (9am to 1pm for Cape Town), theoretical assessment day
• 9am to 5pm (8am to 4pm for Johannesburg), practical assessment day

From January 2023:

Theoretical Assessment day (8am to 3 pm)

• Introduction & Explanation of Assessment Process
• Theoretical Assessment (in the classroom
• Familiarization workshop and induction (only installers)
• Grouping of the participants for the practical assessment

Practical Assessment day (8am to 1pm)

• Random selection of installation teams of 3 installers.
• Installation and wiring of a 6-module PV system on assessment roofs
• Overall Feedback session

 

South African PV Quality Programme

SAPVIA has partnered with the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar) and the German International Cooperation (GIZ) to develop a national standardized “as built" report called the PV GreenCard to promote a high standard of quality Solar PV installations in the RCI market segment.

The South African PV GreenCard offers a profound quality label to the customer and builds on multiple columns including training, verification of PV installer qualifications and, most importantly, compliance with national standards and labour law. The South African PV GreenCard is inclusively designed, opens new business opportunities to both PV companies and customers and contributes to sustainable job creation in the country. 

It is expected that Solar PV installers will undertake a voluntary Solar PV Installer Assessment which will act as a needs analysis to determine whether an installer is sufficiently skilled to install a rooftop PV system. This is the access point of installers to be part of the SAPVIA-endorsed installer database. Should an installer not pass this Assessment, mitigation measures in the form of training will be recommended before the installer will be allowed to redo the Assessment. It should be noted that this training course is not a requirement, but can help to prepare for the SAPVIA Solar PV Installer Assessment which is a crucial requirement to work under the PV GreenCard programme.

 

Solar PV Installer requirements to register for the PV Assessment

• Be employed/associated with a registered PV GreenCard company (please register here)
• Be a qualified and trade-tested DOL registered electrician and hold a wireman‘s license OR
• Be a qualified PV Installer employed with a rooftop Solar PV installing company

Furthermore, it is recommended that installers familiarise themselves with the SAPVIA Solar PV Installation Guidelines. This document in conjunction with all relevant national electrical codes, building codes and regulations shall be the basis for PV installations in the country. 

Solar PV Installer requirements to issue the PV GreenCard

• PV GreenCards can only be issued by persons who are registered in the PV GreenCard database.
• PV GreenCards can either be issued by:
• one person, who is Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) registered and has successfully passed the PV Installer assessment or
• two persons, one Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) registered and one who has successfully passed the PV Installer assessment

 

Applicability

Graduates from the PV Installer Assessment:

• qualify to be part of a SAPVIA endorsed installer database which also forms a key entry point to become part of the PV GreenCard programme
• shall get the opportunity to apply for the qualification of a "Solar PV service technician" once the accreditation with MerSETA is successful.

 

GREEN Covid Protocol

Please be sure to read the GREEN Covid Protocol prior to registration for any assessment.