Manufacturer Urges Solar Training to Meet Rising Demand

CONTRACTORS ARE BEING URGED to invest in solar training to meet the rising homeowner demand stemming from soaring energy bills and increased interest in solar PV installations.

The number of small-scale installations, excluding solar farms and large businesses in May was 11,000, up from 5,000 the same time last year, according to Solar Energy UK. Meanwhile, the number of eBay searches for solar panels and solar power batteries increased by 54% and 134% respectively in June compared with same period last year. This rise in interest and solar installations is expected to increase further as the Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) will run out in April 2023 and consumers will again be exposed to the volatile Energy Price Cap.

Solar Training

To help meet demand, solar manufacturer GoodWe has launched a new professional training initiative in the UK. Known as GoodWe PLUS+, the programme is designed to allow current solar installers to sharpen their skills and it also offers a route into the industry for contractors looking to add solar energy to their portfolio.

Eugene Lucarelli, Marketing Manager at GoodWe UK, said: “We know interest is surging from homeowners around solar installations, and it’s no surprise given the skyrocketing energy price rises. For installers, this represents a great chance to capitalise on the market’s opportunity.

“This is why we’ve launched our new training scheme and are encouraging installers to sign up. By doing so, they can ensure quicker installation timeframes, and greater confidence in commissioning and troubleshooting. Along with this, they can further increase their knowledge and expertise around complementary solar solutions, such as EV chargers, battery and home storage solutions, hybrid inverters and building integrated photovoltaics, all of which are set to grow in demand.”

Phased over three separate modules, the GoodWe PLUS+ scheme offers live training that can be undertaken in person or virtually. Taught by a professional technical specialist from GoodWe, each module lasts approximately one hour, and upon completion, installers will see receive certification as a GoodWe PLUS+ installer.

As well as recognised certification and enhanced knowledge, GoodWe PLUS+ installers can also benefit from an extended warranty of up to 10 years on GoodWe’s range of string inverters for residential applications. Once training has been completed, all installers need to do is register for an installer code for GoodWe’s monitoring solution, SEMS, install an inverter and then connect the inverter to SEMS.

Solar Payback Period

“We know the great challenges that are facing the UK’s homeowners and installers right now, and with the payback period for solar rapidly declining because of soaring prices, it makes sense to invest in solar right now,” said Lucarelli. “At the same time, we also realise there’s a skills gap in the market and a shortfall of installers able to take on the work, which is where GoodWe PLUS+ comes in.

“With our scheme, not only will delegates achieve recognition as a GoodWe PLUS+ qualified installer, but they will also be well equipped to answer homeowners’ enquiries on the latest technologies. With GoodWe’s portfolio as well, installers have access to a complete solar solution and benefit from dealing with one manufacturer and one single point of contact for any technical enquiries or after sales support.”

Find out more about the GoodWe PLUS+ programme.

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