LCL Awards Level 3 Award In the Installation and Maintenance of Small Scale Solar Photovoltaic Systems (LCL-SPV-3)

Who is this course for

This course is for electricians wishing to achieve a regulated qualification in the Installation and Maintenance of SPV. This qualification is in accordance with BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations and the IET Code of Practice for Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems.

Electricians undertaking this qualification will typically be updating their electrotechnical sector competence or undertaking continuous professional development. This qualification does not include work at height or structural calculations, such as roof loading.

The Objectives of the Qualification are to:

• Prepare learners to progress to a qualification in the same subject area but at a higher level or requiring more specific knowledge, skills and understanding
• Prepare learners to progress to a qualification in another subject area.

Prerequisites

 ***Please note that LCL has updated the entry criteria for the course***

From 1^st September 2025 learners must be qualified & practising electricians aged 18+.

Learners must provide evidence of an NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent qualification set out in Tables A4.7 and A4.8 of the EAS Qualifications Guide) as well as the current edition of the Level 3 Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS7671.

The alignment of the entry requirements for this qualification means that the low carbon technology qualifications will remain listed in the EAS Qualifications Guide, be recognised by TESP for Electrician Plus status and remain part of JIB approval for the electrotechnical certification scheme.

On application for the qualification, ETT will carry out an initial assessment of the learner’s capability to complete the qualification.  In line with the awarding body requirements, learners must provide evidence to ETT that meet the qualification pre-requisites by holding a:

• Level 3 Award in the Requirements for Electrical Installations BS 7671 (current edition).

And one of the following:

• Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
• Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Installation or Maintenance)
• Level 3 Electrotechnical Apprenticeship Qualification
• Level 3 Electrotechnical in Dwellings Experienced Worker Qualification
• Building Services Engineering (Level 3) Electrotechnical Installation Qualification
• SVQ in Electrical Installation at SCQF level 7
• Equivalent Qualifications. See Tables A4.7 and A4.8 of the EAS Qualifications Guide
• Current ECS Gold Card issued by the JIB or SJIB – Installation Electrician, Approved Electrician, Maintenance Electrician or Domestic Electrician.

Course Information

 The qualification comprises of 4 mandatory unit.

• know the requirements to install, commission and handover small scale solar photovoltaic systems
• install, commission and handover small scale solar photovoltaic systems
• know the requirements to inspect, service and maintain small scale solar photovoltaic systems
• inspect, service and maintain small scale solar photovoltaic systems

Over the two days training and assessment you will

• know the health and safety risks and safe systems of work associated with solar photovoltaic (SPV) system work
• know the requirements of the relevant regulations and standards relating to the installation, testing and commissioning activities of SPV system installation work
• know the fundamental differences between AC and DC circuits within SPV systems
• know the purpose of SPV system components
• know the types, characteristics and typical conversion efficiencies of SPV modules
• know the fundamental design principles used to determine SPV system module array size and position requirements
• know the preparatory work required for SPV system installation work
• know the layouts and the requirements for installing SPV module arrays
• know SPV system DC and AC circuit installation layouts within the scope of the relevant Engineering Recommendations for grid tied systems
• know SPV system protection methods and components

Support Material

The support material and permitted documents required for use during this qualification are current editions of:

• BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations
• IET Code of Practice for Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Systems
• IET Guidance Note 3 Inspection & Testing
• MCS Documents MGD 002, 003 & 005.

Assessments

The assessment is controlled (invigilated) and comprises of:

• an online multiple-choice exam
• short written response questions
• practical assessments.

Please note your first attempt at the exam and assessment is included in the price of this course.  Any subsequent resits will incur a fee.