Solar PV Course

You’ll learn the core principles of designing an efficient solar PV system, including:

• Site Surveying: Assessing roof suitability, orientation, tilt, and structural integrity.
• Shading Analysis: Understanding the impact of shading and how to mitigate it.
• Array Sizing: Calculating the number of modules required and string configurations.
• Component Specification: Choosing the right solar modules, mounting systems, and inverters (including micro-inverters and string inverters).

Moving from theory to practice, this section focuses on the physical installation and safety of the system:

• DC & AC Installation: Wiring layouts for grid-tied systems.
• System Protection: Implementing correct DC isolation, overcurrent protection, and surge protection.
• Safe Working at Height: Legislative requirements and risk assessments for roof-based work.
• Integration: How solar PV interfaces with other technologies like Electrical Energy Storage Systems (EESS).

The course concludes with the final steps of a professional installation:

• Testing & Commissioning: Using specialised test equipment to verify DC and AC performance.
• Customer Handover: Explaining system operation, monitoring apps, and providing the necessary MCS-compliant documentation.
• Maintenance & Fault Diagnosis: Techniques for routine inspection, servicing, and identifying common faults in solar PV infrastructure.

Solar PV is currently the UK’s most popular domestic renewable technology. As of early 2026, the UK has surpassed 1.9 million certified installations. This surge is driven by a desire for energy independence and the “rooftop revolution” aimed at lowering long-term energy costs. In 2025 alone, the UK set a fresh record with over 262,000 new installations, a significant 32% increase over the previous year.

The demand for qualified installers is at an all-time high due to several factors:

• The Future Homes Standard: New regulations effectively mandate solar panels on almost all new-build properties starting from 2025/2026.
• Government Targets: The UK government has set an ambitious target of 70GW of solar capacity by 2035, requiring a massive scale-up of the skilled workforce.
• Smart Export Guarantee (SEG): Homeowners can only access payments for the electricity they export if their system is installed by an MCS-certified professional.

While prices fluctuate based on technology, the average cost for a 4kW solar system (suitable for a 3-bedroom semi-detached home) typically ranges between £6,000 and £8,000.

• Price Reductions: Solar panel costs have fallen by approximately 15-20% since early 2023.
• Payback Period: Most homeowners now see a return on investment (break-even point) in approximately 6 to 7 years, thanks to higher energy prices and efficient export tariffs.

“Co-location” (installing solar and batteries together) is becoming the industry standard. In 2025, battery storage installations grew by over 120%.

• Self-Consumption: Without a battery, most homes only use about 30-40% of the energy they generate. With a battery, this can rise to over 80%.
• Smart Tariffs: Installers can now set up systems to charge batteries from the grid during “off-peak” hours (cheap overnight rates) and use that power during expensive peak times.

In the vast majority of cases in England and Wales, solar PV installations are considered a permitted development, meaning planning permission is not required. However, exceptions apply for:

• Listed buildings or properties in Conservation Areas.
• Systems that protrude more than 200mm from the roof plane.
• Ground-mounted arrays exceeding 9 square metres.

For a standard domestic property, the physical installation of the panels, inverter, and cabling usually takes 1 to 2 days. Over time and with practice, you will learn how to manage this timeline effectively, from the initial site survey to the final commissioning and handover.