Solar PV & Battery Storage

Become a Certified Solar PV & Battery Storage Installer

This comprehensive 5-day course delivers two City & Guilds Level 3 Awards, qualifying you to install both Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in domestic and commercial settings. Train at our fully equipped centre in Nottingham, easily accessible from across the East Midlands and beyond.

With the UK government's commitment to triple solar capacity by 2030 and new-build homes required to have solar panels from 2027, qualified installers are in unprecedented demand. The solar industry is projected to support 60,000+ jobs by 2035, making this the perfect time to gain these essential qualifications.

Who Is This Course For?

• Qualified electricians expanding into renewables — You hold a Level 3 electrical qualification (2365, 2357, 5357, or equivalent) and want to add solar PV and battery storage to your skill set.

• Gold Card holders diversifying their services — With domestic solar installations growing 29% year-on-year, adding these qualifications opens a significant new revenue stream.

• Electricians seeking MCS certification — This course meets the competency requirements for Microgeneration Certification Scheme registration, essential for offering customers access to the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG).

• Employers upskilling their workforce — We work with electrical contractors across the UK who send their teams to train with us. Contact us for group bookings and employer invoicing.

Course Structure — 5 Days at Our Nottingham Centre

The course runs Monday to Friday at our training centre in Brookfield Road, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 7ER. We run courses monthly — check the schedule above for the next available dates. Class sizes are limited to a maximum of 8 learners per cohort, ensuring you get plenty of hands-on time with all the equipment.

Solar PV Module — Days 1 to 3 (City & Guilds 2922-34)

• Statutory legislation and documentation requirements for solar PV installations

• Solar PV system components, architectures, and characteristics

• Design and installation considerations for domestic and commercial systems

• Testing, commissioning, and handover procedures

• IET Code of Practice for Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems

• G98/G99 grid connection requirements and DNO notification procedures

Battery Storage Module — Days 4 and 5 (City & Guilds 2923-34)

• EESS safety requirements and safe working practices

• Battery technologies, components, and system architectures

• Design considerations for residential and small commercial battery storage

• Testing, commissioning, and handover of EESS

• Integration of micro-generation with battery storage (prosumer installations)

Hands-On Practical Training

This is not a theory-only course. You'll work with industry-standard equipment throughout, including monocrystalline and polycrystalline solar panels, string inverters, hybrid inverters, microinverters, optimisers, lithium-ion battery storage systems, and all associated testing equipment. Our purpose-built training rigs allow you to practise complete installations in a controlled environment.

Assessment

Each qualification includes an online multiple-choice knowledge test delivered via the City & Guilds e-volve platform, plus a practical assessment. Our trainers provide comprehensive preparation throughout, and we maintain a 95%+ first-time pass rate.

MCS Certification Pathway

This course is a key step towards becoming an MCS-certified installer. MCS certification is required for your customers to access the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG), allowing them to sell excess electricity back to the grid. As an MCS-certified installer, you can offer customers:

• Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) payments for surplus energy

• 0% VAT on domestic solar and battery installations

• Quality assurance and consumer protection under the MCS scheme

Career Opportunities and Earning Potential

Qualified Solar PV and Battery Storage installers are in high demand across the UK. Typical career paths include:

• Domestic solar panel and battery storage installation

• Commercial solar PV projects

• Battery storage integration and retrofits

• Solar + EV charging integrated solutions

• Smart energy management systems

Qualified installers typically earn £35,000–£55,000+ annually, with self-employed installers often earning considerably more as demand continues to grow.

Getting Here

Our training centre is located at Brookfield Road, Arnold, Nottingham NG5 7ER, with free on-site parking. We're in Arnold, just north of Nottingham city centre, easily accessible from the M1 (Junction 26), A60, and A614. Learners regularly travel from across the East Midlands — Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Sheffield — and further afield. Nottingham has excellent rail connections, with the centre a short taxi ride from Nottingham station.

Payment Options

We offer flexible payment options including a deposit to secure your place, with the balance due before your course start date. Employer invoicing is available for company-funded bookings. Contact us on 0115 666 2366 to discuss payment arrangements.

The course awards two City & Guilds Level 3 certificates: the 2922-34 (Design and Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems) and 2923-34 (Design, Installation and Commissioning of Electrical Energy Storage Systems). Both are TESP Electrician Plus endorsed and meet MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) registration requirements. Training takes place on a purpose-built training roof with class sizes limited to 8. Unlike many providers who deliver solar PV and battery storage as separate courses, we cover both in a single 5-day programme — at £975 for both qualifications, this is more cost-effective than competitors who charge £395 to £720 for solar PV alone, and means one week off work instead of two.

Who Is This Course For?

The solar PV and battery storage course is for electricians who hold the NVQ Level 3 and want to add renewable energy installation to their services. With energy costs driving record demand for domestic solar and the UK government targeting net zero by 2050, solar installation is one of the fastest-growing areas of the electrical trade. The course suits domestic electricians who want a high-value add-on specialism, commercial contractors expanding into renewable energy projects, and anyone planning to apply for MCS certification to access the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and other government incentive schemes on behalf of their customers.

What This Qualification Unlocks

The 5-day course covers the full scope of domestic and small commercial solar PV and battery storage installations. You learn system design including array sizing, orientation, shading analysis, and energy yield calculations. The practical content covers DC wiring, string configuration, inverter selection and installation, AC connection to the consumer unit, G98/G99 grid connection applications, and commissioning procedures. The battery storage unit covers system types, charge and discharge management, hybrid inverters, and integration with existing solar arrays. After completing the course, you can apply for MCS certification — the industry standard that allows your customers to receive payments under the Smart Export Guarantee for electricity exported to the grid.

Career and Earning Potential

Solar PV installation is among the most profitable specialisms available to electricians. A typical domestic system (3–4kWp) takes one to two days to install and charges £4,000 to £8,000 including panels and equipment. Self-employed solar installers regularly earn £300 to £500 per day, with experienced installers completing two or three domestic systems per week. Battery storage retrofits add further revenue from existing solar customers. The combination of solar PV, battery storage, and EV charging positions you for the growing home energy market where customers want a single electrician to handle all three.