Solar Power Designer for Commercial PV Systems: The Next Step for an Installer Going into the Commercial Industry

• The principles of a commercial size PV system are the same as any other system.
• As you take on a bigger project there are more aspects to consider: Sizing, quoting, management, finance, as they become more complex.
• GREEN Solar Academy has developed a three-day course to cover these topics on a more advanced and professional level to share tips and tricks on how to streamline these processes. 
• The range of systems we are looking at are typical rooftop systems from 10 kWp to 1 MWp.

Andre Wagner and Willem van Schalkwyk attended the Solar Power Designer course with GREEN Solar Academy. This is what Andre, director of GPA Elite PTY LTD and member of the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA)  had to say:

“I have just recently joined the PV industry and I wanted to further the little knowledge I have on PV. The more projects work on and understand the installation as the complexity it is, the more I realized what I still have to learn.”

After the 5-day course the experienced electrician realised that 5 days are not enough, he wanted to learn more on how to plan, design and implement commercial PV systems. Andrew decided he did not want to outsource the designing. Especially, when he does not have the knowledge to understand what they do and identify errors.

“I don’t want to rely on other companies to do the design for me”.

Willem had a different reason as to why the Solar Power Designer course is worthwhile and why installers should consider attending it. He is the owner of Peak Power Solutions, a wholesale company for solar components and MyEcoFuture, a well-established installation company. He built up both companies himself and they have a long track record of business decisions and learnings. We asked him what he would recommend for installation companies to top up knowledge with an advanced course.

When to register for the course?

“The right time is when as an installer you start considering moving beyond small residential installations and want to start enticing commercial entities. In the residential space there is not much focus on what the demand is and what the ultimate saving will be. While on the commercial side of things the numbers are obviously bigger so the customer will want a better calculation on what is their return on investment.

When you reach a point when the customer asks questions that require a more sophisticated understanding of the yield, specific yield, annual changes, and daily changes, -that would be the best time to register for the course and gain more knowledge and understanding.”

In Willem’s opinion, understanding the client’s electricity bill is important for the installer to be able to show what components of the customer’s energy cost will be affected and what they will benefit from the system.

“In the Solar Power Designer course, you learn the different stages of a commercial project from the first engagement with the customer to the assistance with calculating the return on investment. Such steps are of great importance and help to prove the potential value of the solar system.”

The course gives you a right step when venturing into the commercial PV market. Like Willem said, with this course it helps you get your numbers and calculations correct. And you will also be able to answer your client’s most difficult and sophisticated questions. We have the best trainers on the course, people who have been in the PV industry for many years and they will be able to answer all your questions. You can meet Marius and Willem in the upcoming course to pick their brain in May at our Johannesburg Academy.

Solar Power Designer for Commercial PV systems

Date: 12-14 May, Johannesburg
Trainer: Marius Geldenhuys and Willem van Schalkwyk
Cost: R7,200.00 excl. VAT.

Easter discount with promocode EASTER10 – 10% discount for all GREEN and Maxx alumni and SAPVIA members – R6,480.00 excl. VAT 

Author: Tsakani Mashila, Sales and Community Manager at GREEN Solar Academy Pty Ltd.