Build your solar career – step by step

Guide on how to become an accredited solar installer

The PV GreenCard is the entry ticket. Real success depends on what you build after.

What do you want to do? Choose an option below:

Career Paths

“You don’t need experience, you need a starting point.”

For: Career starters, career pivoters, job seekers. No technical background required.

Step 1: Principles of PV Systems eLearning
The quickest start when you are ready for solar but still sorting out your budget.

Step 2:  Solar 101 (2 days)
Start here with zero pre-knowledge. Walk out with a solid understanding of how solar PV works.

Step 3: PV Mounter (2 days)
Get the practical skills that get you job-ready. Hands-on installation course for people who want to work on-site.

Steps 2 & 3 can be taken in either order. Start with whichever is next on the calendar.

Exam: GREEN Solar Mounter Exam (online)
Online open-book exam. Available to GREEN alumni only.

SEE BEGINNER PATH COURSE DATES

“You’ve got the foundation, now get the qualification.”

For: Electricians, technicians, engineers, and people with a technical background in PV or electrical work.

Optional pre-step — Self-Assessment (free, online)
Check your readiness here before booking. Takes 5 minutes.

Step 1: SuperSolarSchool (5 days)
Comprehensive theory and hands-on practical training. The core of your journey to the PV GreenCard.

Step 2: PV Mounter (2 days)
Build practical experience. Hands-on installation training that prepares you for the on-site day of the PV GreenCard Assessment.

Step 3: PV GreenCard Assessment (2 days)
2-day practical and theoretical assessment. After passing you are a qualified SAPVIA PV GreenCard Installer.

Steps 1 & 2 can be taken in either order.

Certification: SAPVIA PV GreenCard Installer
The most requested certification for PV Installers in South Africa

SEE INSTALLER PATH COURSE DATES

“The GreenCard gets you in, real skills keep you there.”

For: Certified PV GreenCard installers who want to grow income, take on bigger projects, or build a more resilient solar business.

Specialisation A: Commercial PV Design (3 days)
Design and commission commercial PV systems up to 1 MWp. Earn 3 CPD points. Includes PV*SOL software training.

Specialisation B: PV System O&M (1 day)
Build a recurring service income stream. Maintenance contracts become the most stable revenue in solar.

Specialisation C: Compliance for PV Systems (1 day)
Fix your CoC bottleneck. Essential for electricians who want to work on solar without rework. Earn 1 CPD point.

Exam: GREEN PV Designer Exam (after Spec. A only)
Advanced design certification. Online open-book exam, GREEN alumni only. Accredited by DGS.
Exam available after completing Commercial PV Design.

Certification: GREEN Commercial & Industrial Designer

SEE SPECIALIST PATH COURSE DATES

Do you like working with your hands?

Or do you prefer to keep it strictly theory?

Not sure which path is right for you?

Answer 2 quick questions in our solar training quiz and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Question 1 — What's your background?

Question 2 — What's your main goal?

We recommend

Still not sure? Our team helps people find the right path every day:

All courses at a glance

Looking for the full picture? Here’s every course we offer, including accreditation and exam details. Proper accreditation is just as important as the actual training – we’ve accredited our solar courses with national and international institutions. Click here to read more about the accreditation of our trainings.

Use the Career Paths above to see how each course fits into a learning journey.

Course Name Duration Level Accreditation Examination Path
Solar 101 2 Days Starter DGS, GREEN n/a Beginner Path
PV Mounter 2 Days Starter DGS, GREEN, ECSA SAIEE 2 CPD GREEN PV Mounter Exam Beginner Path
SuperSolarSchool 5 Days Intermediate DGS, GREEN, SAPVIA, ECSA SAIEE 5 CPD PV GreenCard Assessment Installer Path
PV System O&M 1 Day Starter DGS, GREEN n/a Specialist Path
Commercial PV Design 3 Days Advanced DGS, GREEN, ECSA SAIEE 3 CPD GREEN PV Designer Exam Specialist Path
Compliance for PV Systems 1 Day Advanced DGS, GREEN, ECSA SAIEE 1 CPD n/a Specialist Path
Solar Sales Expert 1 Day Advanced DGS, GREEN n/a Specialist Path
Financing of PV Systems 1 Day Advanced DGS, GREEN n/a Specialist Path

Exams and Certifications

There are currently two types of exams available: the GREEN Online Exams, and the PV GreenCard Assessment offered on behalf of SAPVIA

Path Exam Name Duration Exam Type Certification
Beginner Path GREEN PV Mounter Exam 2 Days, Online Open book online exam. Available to GREEN Alumni only GREEN Solar Mounter, accredited by the German Solar Energy Society (DGS)
Specialist Path GREEN PV Designer Exam 2 Days, Online Open book online exam. Available to GREEN Alumni only GREEN C&I Designer, accredited by the German Solar Energy Society (DGS)
Installer Path SAPVIA PV GreenCard Assessment 2 Days, On-site 4-hour theoretical exam + 1 Full Day practical installation assessment SAPVIA PV GreenCard Accredited Installer

Join our Alumni network

Over 10,000 participants have levelled up their skills through our training. Choose a path you want to grow on, and join the community too.

What makes GREEN different?

GREEN doesn’t offer random training – it structures your entry into the solar industry step by step.
You don’t have to guess what to do next. You are guided from beginner → certification → specialisation → business growth.

You don’t just ‘learn solar’ – you become capable of working in the field immediately.
State-of-the-art components in all our workshops.
Trainers who are active industry professionals.
You get all context you need, but we focus on job-relevant skills.

We’ve been training solar installers in South Africa since 2011
Fun Fact: There is already a GREEN-trained person in most solar companies.

GREEN doesn’t offer random training – it structures your entry into the solar industry step by step.
You don’t have to guess what to do next. You are guided from beginner → certification → specialisation → business growth.

You don’t just ‘learn solar’ – you become capable of working in the field immediately.
State-of-the-art components in all our workshops.
Trainers who are active industry professionals.
You get all context you need, but we focus on job-relevant skills.

We’ve been training solar installers in South Africa since 2011
Fun Fact: There is already a GREEN-trained person in most solar companies.

Not sure where to start?

Tsakani and her team are standing by to speak to you to help you map the right path for your background and goals.