PV Greencard
The PV Greencard Program
What is the PV Greencard program?
The PV Green Card programme is a private sector quality initiative led by SAPVIA. Customers interested in benefitting from rooftop solar PV have the opportunity to search for SAPVIA PV Greencard endorsed service providers on the PV Greencard website.
All PV Greencard registered companies have successfully completed a skills assessment process and commit to adhere to technical as well as safety standards and regulations. After contracting a PV Greencard service provider, engineering, procurement and construction of the PV system can begin.
The whole procurement process including all relevant installation steps as well as important information on equipment used (such as PV module and inverter specifications) are documented in a specific format: the PV Greencard document. The PV Greencard programme also offers business and job opportunities for solar PV installing or training companies.
What is the PV Greencard?
The PV Greencard is a customized quality report that documents the installation of your rooftop PV system. It covers all relevant installation steps and important information on the equipment used such as PV modules and PV inverters. It serves as a lifelong companion for your PV system and will capture all future maintenance activities in your personal PV Greencard.
After selecting the PV Greencard installer of your choice, the installer will guide you through the installation process and will make sure that your system adheres to technical standards and safety. You as the customer authorize the PV Greencard via a simple web interface.
The installer is able to use the PV GreenCard to declare compliance with relevant standards as well as safety guidelines for PV installation. This will provide investor confidence, commitment from participating industry players and empowerment of the Solar PV system owner.
In SA most current standards or guidelines do not cover special requirements for PV installations. During planning and mounting of a PV System all basic requirements defined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the National Building Regulations and other current acts or standards must be considered. All Solar PV installations must conform to the below standards and regulations
❑NRS-097-2-1, NRS-097-2-3 – Inverters
❑SANS 10142-1
❑SANS 10160 (Load assumption and structural design)
❑RPP Grid Code
The PV GreenCard is an industry led quality label that is inclusive in nature and becomes the key to ensure a high standard of quality for small-scale Solar PV installations.
It is recommended that a PV GreenCard should be issued with every small-scale Solar PV installation by suitable qualified installers.
When you buy solar from a PV GreenCard Approved Solar Retailer, you can be assured that you are buying a quality product from a company that follows all relevant consumer protection laws and is prepared to back the operation of your solar system. There are also strict requirements that companies must follow in pre- and post-sale activities, documentation and general business practices.
What Does This Mean for the customer?
- Assurance that the company has gone through a rigorous process to become an Approved Solar Retailer.
- Products will be backed by a standard minimum warranty period on your entire system.
- Detailed information on the process between system installation and network connection.
- Peace of mind that the company will adhere to all existing legislation and regulations, and that its sales representatives will act ethically and not engage in any dishonest or misleading tactics.
- Many other quality and performance guarantees.