April 1, 2026

Solar PV design and install explained for electricians

If you are a licensed electrician that is considering expanding into renewables, you have likely come across the term “design and install” in solar technology training.

For qualified electricians, understanding the difference between design responsibilities, installation work and formal solar PV training is essential before stepping into this space.

Want to learn more about what the growth in renewables means for electricians? Read our article here.

What “design and install” really covers

A solar design and install course goes beyond simply mounting panels and wiring inverters.

Installation generally includes:

Mounting PV modules
Installing inverters and associated equipment
Wiring DC and AC components
Integrating systems into existing switchboards

This work must be completed in accordance with relevant Australian Standards, including AS/NZS 5033 for PV arrays and AS/NZS 5139 for battery systems.

Design, on the other hand, involves:

System sizing and configuration
String calculations and voltage considerations
Inverter selection
Battery compatibility
Compliance documentation

Design requires a clear understanding of performance, safety, and system limitations. It also carries responsibility for ensuring the system meets technical and regulatory requirements.

Solar PV training that covers both design and install prepares electricians to understand the full lifecycle of a system, not just the physical installation.

When Formal Solar PV Training is Required

Holding an electrical licence does not automatically qualify you to design and install solar systems. While licensing allows you to perform electrical work, formal solar installer training builds the specific competencies required for grid-connected and battery systems. This includes knowledge of:

Relevant Australian Standards
Safe DC isolation and switching
Earthing and protection requirements
System documentation and commissioning

For electricians seeking industry recognition or working towards pathways such as Clean Energy Council (CEC) or SAA accreditation, approved solar accreditation training may be required. Requirements can change and vary, so it is important to review current eligibility criteria directly with the relevant body.

Importantly, training does not replace your electrical licence. You must hold the appropriate licence to legally perform electrical work.

H3: Who needs design and install competencies?

Solar PV training is relevant for electricians who:

Want to move into residential or commercial solar installation
Plan to work with battery storage systems
Are expanding into renewable energy projects
Intend to supervise or sign off on solar installations

Even experienced electricians benefit from structured solar technology training. PV and battery systems introduce different risks, including DC arc faults and energy storage hazards, which are not typically encountered in standard electrical installations.

Design competencies also support electricians who want to offer end-to-end solutions rather than subcontracting system design.

Grid-connected vs battery systems

Most electricians entering the solar space begin with grid-connected PV systems. These systems connect to the electricity network and must comply with DNSP requirements and relevant standards.

Battery storage systems add another layer of complexity. In addition to AS/NZS 5033, battery installations must comply with AS/NZS 5139, which addresses safety requirements specific to energy storage systems.

Standalone power systems require further design considerations, including load assessment, autonomy calculations and backup integration.

Comprehensive solar installer training should introduce the differences between these system types and the compliance obligations attached to each.

Solar training pathways through CET

CET offers structured solar technology training pathways for qualified electricians looking to build practical and compliant skills in renewables.

Training options include:

Solar grid-connect PV design and install
Battery storage for grid-connected PV systems
Standalone power systems design and install

These courses are designed to build technical capability aligned with current industry standards. They support electricians seeking to expand their scope of work in solar and battery installations.

As with all post-trade training, electricians must ensure they meet licensing and regulatory requirements relevant to their state or territory.