SAPVIA PV Assessment

The SAPVIA PV GreenCard is a voluntary quality assurance programme for PV installers in South Africa. Many banks, clients, and solar companies require or prefer a PV GreenCard qualification when selecting or approving installers, and its importance in the market has grown steadily as the industry matures.

The assessment itself runs over two days at one of GREEN's accredited assessment centres. Day one is a closed-book theoretical exam. Day two is a practical installation assessment on real equipment on our assessment roofs. Assessors are experienced industry professionals.

Assessment structure:

Day 1 — Theory and Individual Practical Assessment (8am to 3pm)

Theory

• Introduction and explanation of the assessment process
• Closed-book theoretical exam

Practical

• Identification of installation errors
• Design exercise: Design and prepare the installation of a grid-tied PV system including material list, basic calculation, roof layout and wiring diagram

Day 2 - Group Practical Assessment (8am to 1pm)

• Workshop familiarisation and introduction to the group assessment process
• Health and safety briefing
• Discussion of the required tool list
• Team allocation by random draw*
• Practical installation and wiring of a 6-module grid-tied PV system including inverter connection in teams
• Completion of installation tasks under assessment conditions

* The practical assessment is completed in randomly selected teams.

Scoring:

• Theoretical exam: 80% pass rate required
• Practical exam: 80% pass rate required
• Overall: 80% pass rate, weighted 42% theory / 58% practical

Installers who pass receive a Certificate of Approval from SAPVIA to certify that they completed the Assessment and that they are approved PV GreenCard Installers. For full details on the PV GreenCard programme and what it qualifies you for, visit our PV GreenCard information page.

We recommend familiarising yourself with the SAPVIA Solar PV Installation Guidelines before the assessment. It is the main reference document for both the theoretical and practical components.

Click REGISTER on your preferred date and location. You'll be asked to provide your details, after which you'll receive a pro-forma invoice. Your place is confirmed once full payment has been received. Please review our T&Cs before registering.

GREEN Alumni receive a 10% discount on all assessments - find out more >>

The PV GreenCard Assessment is for trained and experienced PV installers who want to become recognised as SAPVIA PV GreenCard Installers. It is ideal for professionals who already have practical installation experience and now want to formalize their competence. It's suitable if you are:

• An electrician or solar technician who has completed the SuperSolarSchool or equivalent preparation
• An electrician or solar technician with practical experience who wants industry-recognised certification
• Installation companies developing qualified in-house teams
• Installers and electrical contractors wanting to register on the PV GreenCard Portal to meet growing client, bank, or municipality expectations

Important note: Certified PV GreenCard installation companies must be registered electrical contractors and employ both a registered installation/master installation electrician and an assessed PV GreenCard individual; the PV GreenCard is supplementary to the electrical CoC, not a replacement.

The PV GreenCard Assessment evaluates the practical and theoretical competence required of professional PV installers. Key assessment areas include:

Theory Assessment

• Electrical fundamentals relevant to PV systems
• Solar PV fundamentals and component knowledge
• Site inspection and system evaluation
• Basic PV system design principles
• Installation best practices and workmanship standards
• SANS 10142 electrical regulations and compliance requirements
• Inspection, commissioning, and testing procedures

Practical Assessment

• Preparing material lists and interpreting project requirements
• Reading and applying wiring diagrams
• Identifying and correcting installation errors
• Practical installation of a grid-tied rooftop PV system
• Quality of workmanship and professional installation standards
• DC wiring of PV circuits
• AC wiring and inverter connections
• Distribution board work and system integration
• Safe working practices and use of tools
• Roof work, mounting, and on-site safety procedures

There are no formal entry requirements set by SAPVIA. However, only participants who achieve 80% overall are declared competent and pass the assessment. Insufficient preparation is one of the most common reasons candidates do not make it through. Practical readiness matters.

We strongly recommend completing the SuperSolarSchool before registering - it is the SAPVIA-endorsed preparation course for this assessment and covers the full scope of what is tested. If you have a strong electrical background and solid hands-on PV experience, you may be ready to register directly.

Please note: Passing the assessment qualifies you as an assessed PV GreenCard Installer. However, only registered electrical contractors can register companies on the SAPVIA PV GreenCard platform and issue PV GreenCards for projects.

Not sure if you're prepared? Get in touch and we'll give you an honest assessment.

The PV GreenCard Assessment is administered by GREEN Solar Academy on behalf of SAPVIA (South African Photovoltaic Industry Association). GREEN operates SAPVIA-endorsed PV GreenCard Assessment Centres in Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Ballito, Pretoria and PE.

Installers who pass receive:

• A Certificate of Approval from SAPVIA
• Official recognition as a SAPVIA PV GreenCard Installer
• Eligibility to support a company's registration on the SAPVIA directory

For company registration requirements, visit www.pvgreencard.co.za or our PV GreenCard information page.

The PV GreenCard is a widely recognised qualification that opens up more work - but the market continues to move. Commercial projects are growing, compliance requirements are tightening, and clients are increasingly selective about who they work with. Most installers who want to stay competitive keep building after certification.

Here's where people typically go next:

• Move into commercial projects Commercial PV Design (3 CPD) - Design and commission larger systems up to 1 MWp. Includes PV*SOL software training and 3 CPD points.
• Build a recurring service income PV System Operation & Maintenance - As the installed base in South Africa grows, maintenance contracts are becoming a reliable revenue stream for installers.
• Improve your compliance work Compliance for PV Systems (1 CPD) - Covers CoCs and commissioning for solar systems specifically. Useful for electricians who want to reduce rework and inspection issues.

Not sure which direction makes sense for you? Talk to our team, we're happy to help you think through the options.