The quality and professionalism was beyond my expectations. It is a life-changing course delivered by brilliant lecturers. Highly recommended!
Course participant from Bulawayo
Sunergy (Private) Limited has partnered with GREEN Solar Academy to offer solar photovoltaic training in Zimbabwe. GREEN Solar Academy was established in Germany, (initially under the maxx | Solar Academy brand) and was one of the first training institutes for solar power in the region. Since 2011 they have trained several thousand participants in South Africa and beyond through partnerships with a number of different organisations, bringing the academy to Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Along with JVS Projects, Sunergy provides fully accredited and certified trainers for the Harare training courses, adding local experience and knowledge to the already comprehensive training programmes.
GREEN Solar Academy Courses
Solar Basics
Course objective (Applicability): The Solar Basics Course introduces its participants to the basics of solar power (photovoltaic), especially concentrating on small-scale off-grid systems.
Entry Requirements: None
Outline: The Sunrise Intermediate Off-Grid Course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of solar power systems. The participants will get a brief introduction to the electrotechnical basics and the functionality of PV systems, including how small grid-tied and off-grid PV systems work. This course is not rounded off with a professional qualification but equips its participants with the fundamental and relevant knowledge to participate in one of the professional training courses of the GREEN Solar Academy, e.g. the Solar Power Technician course.
Main topics:
- electrotechnical basics (series, parallel connection, current, voltage and their influence on yields, I-V-characteristic curve),
- PV System concepts (stand-alone, grid-tied),
Participants:
- Administration and marketing personnel in PV companies
- Professionals who want to participate in the GSA professional training e.g.:
- Energy consultants
- Marketing
- Administration and management personnel in PV companies
- Engineers and architects
- Technicians and installers
Duration: 1 Day (8 Education units)
Course Price: USD 50.00
(Payment for bookings made to GREEN Solar Academy through Sunergy)
Accreditation: accredited by DGS (German Solar Energy Society e.V.)
Contact us to book your place on the next course.
Sunrise - Mambakwedza Course
Course objective (Applicability): The Sunrise Intermediate Course Off-grid introduces its participants to the basics of solar power (photovoltaic), especially concentrating on small-scale off-grid systems.
Entry Requirements: None
Outline: The Sunrise Intermediate Off-Grid Course provides technical knowledge and understanding of solar power systems with a special focus on small-scale off-grid systems. The participants will get a brief introduction to the electrotechnical basics and the functionality of PV systems, including how small grid-tied and off-grid PV systems work. This course is not rounded off with a professional qualification but equips its participants with the fundamental and relevant knowledge to participate in one of the professional training courses of the GREEN Solar Academy, e.g. the Solar Power Technician course.
Main topics:
- electrotechnical basics (series, parallel connection, current, voltage and their influence on yields, I-V-characteristic curve),
- PV System concepts (stand-alone, grid-tied),
- PV plant components and data sheets, site survey and customer consultation, design of a small grid-tied PV plant, economical efficiency, legislative issues, quality assurance e.g. RAL GZ 966.
Participants:
- Administration and marketing personnel in PV companies
- Professionals who want to participate in the GSA professional training e.g.:
- Energy consultants
- Marketing
- Administration and management personnel in PV companies
- Engineers and architects
- Technicians and installers
Duration: 2 Days (16 Education units)
Course Price: ZAR 4,900.00
(Payment for booking made to GREEN Solar Academy in South Africa)
Accreditation: accredited by DGS (German Solar Energy Society e.V.)
PV Mounter Course
Do you want to learn how to install PV systems? Do you want more practical training instead of studying books? Then this course is for you! During the two days of training, we practice PV system installation. Starting with nothing but a wiring chart and material list, we plan and execute the installation together, up to commissioning and testing of the system.
If you don't have the time (or budget) for the 5-day SuperSolarSchool course, the PV Mounter is a great alternative. It is also a good choice if you did our 5-day SuperSolarSchool already and found the practicals to be too fast or need more practice. Why not bring your installation team with you to practice altogether? Team discounts are available!
Why is this course needed? Because the best PV system is only as good as its connections - be it cables or screws! So let's train how to get the details right and build long-lasting PV systems.
Main Topics
The course focuses on how to stay safe on the roof and how to install PV systems correctly.
Topics are:
- Planning an installation based on wiring charts and material lists
- Preparing the site, tools and equipment
- Dos & Don'ts on-site
- On-site safety
- Hands-on PV installation on different roof types
- Wiring of PV System
- Commissioning and programming of inverters (different manufacturers)
Target Audience
- New solar installers looking for practical experience
- Technicians and Electricians who need a crash course on solar installation
- SuperSolarSchool alumni who want to refresh the installation part
- Installation teams who need fast and efficient practical training
Prerequisites
None - Anyone who is interested can join the course, a qualification as an electrician is not required. But please note that this course is completely hands-on! For theoretical basics and knowledge on PV system components, design and planning, please book the SuperSolarSchool or Sunrise or Designer courses.
Duration: 2 Days
Course Price: ZAR 5,400.00
(Payment for booking made to GREEN Solar Academy in South Africa)
Accreditation: accredited by DGS (German Solar Energy Society e.V.)
Solar Power Designer Course
Course Objective (Applicability): DGS Solar Power Designers are able to design, plan and quote for the installation of state-of-the-art PV off-grid systems
Prerequisites: Participation in the Solar Power Sunrise Intermediate Course or entry exam focusing on the subjects of this course.
Outline: The DGS Solar Power Designer Course is targeting participants, who have an engineering/technician background. The focus of this advanced course is on the design and planning of off-grid PV systems, including step-by-step calculation exercises based on example systems from the site visit to quotation. The professional team at GREEN Solar Academy provides the necessary knowledge to design, plan and prepare quotations for off-grid photovoltaic systems according to professional principles and quality certifications.
Main topics:
- PV basics recap,
- basics of off-grid systems,
- components of off-grid systems, PMW and MPPT charge controller,
- battery technology,
- planning and design of DC-coupled off-grid systems,
- preparation of quotations,
- best practice examples,
- commissioning and operation of PV plants,
- fault finding and quality assurance
Participants: Technicians, engineers and architects with basic knowledge on PV technical and management principles gained e.g. in the Solar Power Sunrise Intermediate Course
Duration: 3 Days (24 Education units)
Course Price: ZAR 7,200.00
(Payment for booking made to GREEN Solar Academy in South Africa)
SuperSolarSchool Course
Master the sun in one week: The SuperSolarSchool provides you with everything you need to know about solar PV. In the 5 days of training, all important topics are covered. In every session, we set a strong focus on practical application. You learn about electrotechnical basics and functionality of PV systems, how to install systems correctly according to international standards and how to plan and manage and sell a project as well as size the system including the battery pack according to the client’s requirements.
Interactive exercises and the involvement of the participants make the course content easy to understand and interesting to follow. Lecturers with practical experience connect you with the industry, so it is the ideal course if you want a flying start in solar photovoltaics.
The Super Solar School was developed together with the DGS (German Solar Energy Society) and aligned with the curriculum of the SAPVIA 5-day Solar PV Installer course. The course is the ideal preparation and recommended course before doing the SAPVIA PV GreenCard PV assessment.
Target Audience
- Everyone who wants a flying start in solar photovoltaics:
- Solar Newcomers
- Employees of solar companies (sales, management and technical staff)
- Entrepreneurs and business founders
- Electricians and electrical engineers
- Professionals looking for continuous training with minimum time expenditure
- Installers who are looking for PV GREENCARD qualification
Main Topics
Day 1 and 2: Electrotechnical basics (series, parallel connection, current, voltage and their influence on yields, I-V-characteristic curve)
PV system concepts (stand-alone, grid-tied, back-up)
PV system components (incl. batteries), reading of data sheets
Basics of grid-tied PV system installation
Day 3: Site preparation, tools and equipment,
Practical installation of a grid-tied PV system incl. commissioning
Post-installation (routine inspection, data capturing, troubleshooting, operation and maintenance).
Day 4 and 5: Project management (timeline, laws and regulation, procedures)
Site survey and on-site inspection
Planning and design of grid-tied PV systems (with and without battery storage), calculation of roof-top PV systems with and without simulation programs (4-week software license PV*SOL Premium included), the extension of grid-tied systems to back-up systems, fault finding and quality assurance (e.g. RAL GZ 966)
Sales, marketing and customer consultation
Accreditation
5 CPD credits by SAIEE
SAPVIA endorsed PV GreenCard Training course (preparation for the SAPVIA PV Assessment)
International accreditation by the German Solar Energy Society DGS e.V.
Prerequisites
Recommended NQF level to participate: 4
The course is open to all participants who want to gain knowledge in solar PV. Nevertheless, the pace is quite brisk. Maths skills on matric level are recommended (math literacy is not sufficient) to be able to completely follow the course. To prepare for the course, you can watch some videos on PV basics that we have compiled on our Youtube channel.
If you are unsure if you should participate, contact us.
Download SuperSolarSchool Datasheet
Currently, only available as a minimum group-size booked course.
Enquire with us for more details.
Tailored Courses
Other specialised and tailored courses may be available from time to time, or by prior arrangement for larger groups.
Contact us for more details.
GREEN Solar Academy Alumni Progamme
The GREEN alumni programme is open for GREEN Solar Academy (and maxx Solar Academy) graduates from the professional courses. It provides our alumni not only with quality training but also aims to give them access to quality material.
The Green Solar Academy alumni programme is the photovoltaic network of technical competence in South Africa.
GREEN Solar Academy Alumni benefit from the following advantages:
- Frequent network meetings in Cape Town and Johannesburg (evening get togethers in a relaxing atmosphere)
- Facebook group for information exchange and technical support
- Annual technical conference with thematic workshops on recent developments in the branch
- Reduced entrance fees for energy conferences and fairs we are partnered with
- Alumni discount for all products from the maxx-solar energy PTY Ltd range.