Note: Grant funding comes from Skillnet Ireland through the Irish National Training fund, and, as a result, is ONLY available to residents of the Republic of Ireland who work as a sole trader, or for a private or semi-state commercial company registered in ROI. If you are not eligible for the discount, you will still have the option to enrol by paying the full course fee. Please read Eligibility Criteria.

Part 1 Implementation
Date: 21st, 22nd of July and 14th of August 2025
Time: 9am - 5pm
Venue: Online

Part 2 Electrical
Please book part 2 of the courses here.

Practical Day
16th and 17th of October

Exam
Tuesday 21st October

Micro Solar Photovoltaic Systems Implementation - Overview

The purpose of this award is to equip you with the relevant knowledge, skill and competence to implement micro scale solar photo-voltaic (p-v) projects, up to 11 kilowatt, according to the applicable standards, legislation, guidelines, and manufacturer’s specifications, whilst working autonomously.

Contractors must successfully complete both the QQI Level 6 Micro Solar Photovoltaic Systems Implementation (6N0306) and QQI Level 6 Electrical Installation and Commissioning of Micro Generators Award (6N0307) courses in order to register with SEAI as an approved contractor for Solar PV grants.

Entry Requirements

Minimum Level 5 Certificate – relevant life or work experience may also be accepted.

Objectives and Learning Outcomes

• Describe the main p-v cell technologies including the characteristics, configurations, and components of solar p-v systems.
• Describe factors affecting solar p-v output to include tilt, orientation, over shading and p-v module mismatch.
• Describe the relationship between rated output at standard test conditions and actual output in use.
• Summarise the planning requirements for solar p-v installations including any possible exemptions.
• Summarise relevant legislation, standards and regulation to include CE marking and New Approach 2 directives, product testing and certification standards and building regulations.
• Describe maintenance requirements for solar p-v systems to include cleaning, checking torque of fixing bolts and visual inspection of array integrity and electrical connections.
• Propose an appropriate mounting technique based on aerodynamic and static load considerations.
• Describe the potential hazards and mitigating action associated with solar p-v operation to include electrical hazards, “always live” systems, labelling and signage requirements and fixing of panels.
• Describe the relevant health and safety requirements for installation to include working at height, securing ladders, safety requirements for scaffolds, guard rails and personal safety equipment.
• Describe the recommended installation sequence for solar p-v systems identifying relevant standards and guidelines applicable to each phase of installation.
• Outline the main considerations for roof-mounted solar p-v systems including roof types, construction, loading, integrity and weather proofing.
• Assess roof loading and load bearing capacity and recommend suitable mounting and weather sealing techniques.
• Use the recommended tools for deploying all required solar p-v system components in accordance with manufacturer’s specification.
• Carry out a feasibility study for solar p-v system to include a resource assessment and economic evaluation.
• Generate a design layout for a solar p-v system to include a specification of array location, mounting techniques, cable runs and inverter location.
• Assess the conformance of a solar p-v system in accordance with standards for module fixings, fixing of the array, weather proofing, and integrity of the array.
• Test a solar p-v installation to include normal shutdown, emergency shutdown, and power control against solar intensity.

Assessment

Assignment 40%
Examination – Theory 40%
Skills Demonstration 20%

Qualification

Learner will receive QQI level 6 minor awards in the following: Micro Solar Photovoltaic Systems Implementation 6N0306.

On successfully completion of both awards (Part 1 & Part 2) learners meet the qualifications requirements for SEAI’s register for PV installers.

Who Should Attend

The course will cater for a variety of adult learners with a minimum Level 5 Certificate/ Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate standard of education. You should have previously have completed a relevant Level 5 award.

Chevron College QQI Level 6 Accredited & SEAI Listed Course

Chevron College is Ireland’s largest renewable energy training provider and the 1st provider to be approved to deliver the new QQI level 6 Solar Photovoltaic installer training course.

Paul Savage BEng MIEI has been involved in the electrical industry since 1998 (26 years) and been director of Sav Electrical Systems Ltd since 2007, providing electrical contracting and electrical design consultancy services. Sav Electrical Systems have been recently involved in the renewable energy and energy conservation sector, designing, and developing building energy conservation systems, some of which are registered on the SEAI’s Triple E Product Scheme. Sav Electrical Systems have over 50 Solar PV installations carried since 2020 with system sizes ranging from the smallest at 3kWp to the largest system installed to date at 110kWp.

Paul is a qualified Electrician and Electrical Design Engineer, Paul also holds the following professional registration:

• Associate member in Engineers Ireland
• Safe Electric registered electrical contractor (Qualified Certifier registered)
• SEAI residential and NDMG solar PV registered contractor

Domestic Solar Photovoltaic systems can be financially attractive projects for many electricity consumers due to the systems ability to significantly reduce electricity costs, e.g. a typical domestic Solar PV system can produce 50% of the annual electricity consumption of an Irish home. Furthermore, any surplus electricity generated by the Solar PV system may be exported back to the Grid, thus creating an additional income stream for the consumer.

Therefore the Department of Energy sees PV systems as an essential part of Government energy policy.

In order to optimise the full benefits that can be derived from a domestic Solar PV system, it is essential that the system is installed by a competent individual. Consequently, Chevron College delivers Solar PV training programmes which aim to impart learners with the appropriate knowledge and skills to competently install domestic Solar PV systems. These programmes examine both the Implementation of Micro Scale Solar PV Systems and the Electrical Installation and Commissioning of Microgenerators. These courses will be accredited by QQI.

It is essential that candidates participating on the Electrical Installation and Commissioning of Microgenerators course will have obtained the appropriate qualifications related to electrical installation, knowledge of the IEE Wiring Regulations and inspection and testing.