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All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |
| SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY |
| REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: |
| Occupational Certificate: Solar Photovoltaic Service Technician |
| SAQA QUAL ID | QUALIFICATION TITLE | |||
| 99447 | Occupational Certificate: Solar Photovoltaic Service Technician | |||
| ORIGINATOR | ||||
| Development Quality Partner - MERSETA Construction | ||||
| PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY | NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK | |||
| - | OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework | |||
| QUALIFICATION TYPE | FIELD | SUBFIELD | ||
| Occupational Certificate | Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction | Electrical Infrastructure Construction | ||
| ABET BAND | MINIMUM CREDITS | PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL | NQF LEVEL | QUAL CLASS |
| Undefined | 344 | Not Applicable | NQF Level 05 | Regular-ELOAC |
| REGISTRATION STATUS | SAQA DECISION NUMBER | REGISTRATION START DATE | REGISTRATION END DATE | |
| Reregistered | EXCO 0425/24 | 2021-07-01 | 2025-12-30 | |
| LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT | LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT | |||
| 2026-12-30 | 2029-12-30 | |||
| In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise. |
This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. |
| PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION |
| Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Solar Photovoltaic Service Technician. A Solar Photovoltaic Service Technician performs maintenance (preventative, scheduled, unscheduled) on PV systems in compliance with Department of Energy and related regulations, isolate the PV system (in the case of a PV farm this is done with authorisation obtained from the plant controller); perform fault finding (trouble-shooting), identify deficiencies; analyse information, carry out maintenance, repair (including removing and replacing components), and find solutions to a range of problems. A Solar Photovoltaic Service Technician may be employed either at a photovoltaic farm or at standalone PV installations. Hence, there is the Photovoltaic (PV) Service Technician (PV Farm) and the Photovoltaic (PV) Service Technician (Standalone Installation). A qualified learner will be able to: Rationale: South Africa has many resources of renewable energy like sunshine and wind. Hence, there has been a drive to harness and exploit renewable energy, which is gaining huge momentum. This stems from two very important factors: firstly, the possibility of decreasing dependence on coal-fired power stations and thereby reducing the concomitant degradation of the environment and, secondly, the recurrent energy generation problems being experienced nationally. A number of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) farms have been set-up across the country and many companies and individuals have stand-alone roof-top installations, all of which require Solar PV Technicians to maintain, service and repair them. Proficiencies recognised by industry as employment opportunities were identified in this occupation. These are: During the development of this occupational qualification the above mentioned proficiencies were provided for as part qualifications. Typical learners for this qualification are artisans, school leavers and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college graduates. Learners who enters this qualification with competencies related to this qualification will receive recognition and thus may be able to complete the qualification in a much shorter time. These Solar PV Service Technicians will either be employed on solar PV farms or companies that install and maintain solar PV installations. Those with an entrepreneurial drive may establish their own businesses and create employment for others. |
| LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING |
| Recognition of Prior Learning (PRL):
RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related Curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a Statement of Results or certifying a Work Experience Record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: |
| RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? |
| Y |
| QUALIFICATION RULES |
| This qualification is made up of the following compulsory Knowledge and Practical Skill Modules:
Knowledge Modules: Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 122. Practical Skill Modules: Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 94. This qualification also requires the following Work Experience Modules: Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 128. |
| EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES |
| 1. Plan and prepare for PV system installation.
2. Install mechanical components of solar PV system (stand-alone). 3. Install electrical components of solar PV system (stand-alone). 4. Maintain, test and replace PV panels components. 5. Maintain, test repair and replace inverters and transformers. 6. Maintain, test and replace cables, cable inter-connections, smart boxes, PV junction/string boxes, string diodes, connectors, fuses, switchgears and control gears and repair switchgears and control gears. 7. Maintain, test and replace batteries and charge controllers and repair charge controllers where possible. |
| ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA |
| Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6: Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7: Integrated Assessment: Integrated Formative Assessment: The skills development provider will use the Curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment leads to entrance into the integrated external summative assessment. Integrated Summative Assessment: An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant Quality Council for Trades and Occupations Assessment Quality partner, is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria. The external summative assessment will be a test conducted through an evaluation of written and practical tasks covering critical aspects in a simulated environment at an assessment centre accredited by QCTO and conducted by a registered Assessor. The assessment will take place over a minimum period of 2 days. |
| INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY |
| The following countries were considered: United States, Canada and Australia since they appear to be leaders in this aspect, especially Australia that has a similar climatic condition to South Africa.
United States and Canada: North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). NABCEP is committed to providing a certification program of quality and integrity for the professionals and consumer/public it is designed to serve. The NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional will: specify, adapt, implement, configure, install, inspect, and maintain any type of photovoltaic system, including grid-connected and stand-alone systems with or without battery storage, that meet the performance and reliability needs of customers in the United States and Canada, by ensuring quality craftsmanship and compliance with all applicable codes, standards, and safety requirements. NABCEP produced a Job Task Analysis (JTA) which serves as a guide for those seeking certification. Tasks described as "critical" and that these tasks will be common to most if not all PV installations. Those individuals who achieve NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification will be familiar with all the tasks described as "important." These tasks may not be performed on all installations but are an important part of the certified installer's body of knowledge. It must be noted that in NABCEP's certification, maintenance is incorporated into the installation aspect: Australia: An Electrician who wishes to install Grid Connected Solar Systems then s/he needs to complete the Install pathway. As an accredited installer you will have to work in conjunction with an accredited designer, or for a company that is taking care of the design aspect of the job. If you want to handle the whole job you need to complete the Design and Install pathway. Many electricians choose this option as it not only gives them greater flexibility, but a greater understanding of the installation job. For Non-Electricians the only pathway available is Design. This would give you the capacity to work as a Solar Designer for a solar company or independently as a designer in conjunction with independent installers. Grid Connect Installer: Participants must be a qualified Electrician or Electrical Mechanic. Grid Connect Designer: Prior to study in this pathway, participants must either: Conclusion: This South African qualification compares favourably with the competencies covered in international qualifications. There are two major differences between this qualification and the international ones: Firstly, most of the international qualifications include the servicing and maintenance aspect within the installation qualification. Secondly, many of the international qualifications require the learner to have a full electrician qualification before embarking on a solar PV qualification. The electrician aspects have been included in this Solar PV Technician's qualification. |
| ARTICULATION OPTIONS |
| Horizontal articulation is possible with:
Vertical articulation is possible with: |
| MODERATION OPTIONS |
| N/A |
| CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS |
| N/A |
| NOTES |
| Qualifying for external integrated summative assessment:
Additional legal or physical entry requirements: Criteria for the accreditation of providers: The Curriculum title and code is: This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD: Related Part Qualifications: |
| LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| NONE |
| PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: |
| This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here. |
| NONE |
| All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source. |