Commercial PV installation Qualifications

[GOGreenRenewable]

HI Guys, I’m new to the field and have some questions that maybe one of you more qualified electricians can help me with. I’m about to begin a course which would allow me to obtain the following qualifications:

City & Guilds 4141-01 - Electrical Installation Work within a Domestic Dwelling

City & Guilds 2393 – Building Regulations - Part P

City & Guilds 2382-15 – 17th Edition Wiring Regulations

City & Guilds 2392-10 – Inspection & Testing

BPEC Solar PV



Now obviously these qualifications will only allow me to carry out domestic installs and I would also have to register for the MCS but I would really also like to carry out commercial PV installs also.

I was told by one of the course advisers that after the course I should do a G59 course and apparently this would allow me to do commercial installs also.

Is there any advice anyone can give me with regards to the appropriate qualifications needed or what rout I should take.



Thanks in advance

 

[Leesparkykent]

What electrical experience do you have?

 

[GOGreenRenewable]

What electrical experience do you have?

I have a degree Electrical and electronic engineering and I was working as a Electrical design engineer. Just what to move out the office.

 

[soms]

For commercial installation I would have thought you would need to be a qualified electrician in order to design, install, test and commission the installation as low voltage AC and DC falls under BS7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations.

I understand this is the main way of achieving/demonstrating compliance with various legal requirements (especially heath and safety) so I see no way of ever doing it otherwise.

Maybe consider finding a qualified electrician who with whom you could join forces.

I wouldn't concern yourself with a G59 course, you can buy the document online and read it yourself, it is straightforward enough to understand, for the most part. Especially if you have a strong background in electrical/electronic engineering.
I used to work in PV, in an office position principally on DC design, documentation and technical matters including MCS/Ofgem compliance so referred to this a lot. IMO no 'course' is necessary.

 

[Gavin A]

You ought to end up being more than ok to design and manage the installations, but initially I'd advise subbing the electrical connections to an experienced commercial / industrial electrician, at least on anything more complex. You can then gain more experience of that type of work as you go along and eventually may decide you don't need the additional expertise. Fact is that you can't install commercial systems by yourself anyway no matter how qualified, you need a team to do it, and you'll need to be competitive against companies with many years experience doing it, which makes us more efficient at it than you will be initially.

 

[GOGreenRenewable]

You ought to end up being more than ok to design and manage the installations, but initially I'd advise subbing the electrical connections to an experienced commercial / industrial electrician, at least on anything more complex. You can then gain more experience of that type of work as you go along and eventually may decide you don't need the additional expertise. Fact is that you can't install commercial systems by yourself anyway no matter how qualified, you need a team to do it, and you'll need to be competitive against companies with many years experience doing it, which makes us more efficient at it than you will be initially.

Very helpful advice. Thank you and do you agree that there will be no need for the G59 course?

 

[Leesparkykent]

The problem I see trying to enter the commercial PV market as a new start up is the firms who are out there already doing it have survived the government shake ups with regards to FIT's etc and know the game inside out. I take my hat off to the lads still in this sector that have survived the rubbish the government has chucked at them with false hope and promises etc.

 

[Gavin A]

Very helpful advice. Thank you and do you agree that there will be no need for the G59 course?

well, we never did one, though I don't think they existed before we'd done several commercial projects.

All depends if you know what you're doing already or not, if not then the course will presumably help ensure that you comply with all the regulations.

 

[GOGreenRenewable]

well, we never did one, though I don't think they existed before we'd done several commercial projects.

All depends if you know what you're doing already or not, if not then the course will presumably help ensure that you comply with all the regulations.

Excellent, thanks for clearing that up. I have a better understanding now