Solar Specialist Platform P4 Level 2

Pass your “Level 1” first before attempting “Level 2”. Level 2 is more advanced than the “Level 1” test and requires a more complex knowledge of principles and calculations.

Level 2A Test Categories

With the “Level 2” there are 12 categories in the test

  1. Electrical Theory
  2. Module technology
  3. Irradiation
  4. Surge Protection and Earthing
  5. Power and Energy
  6. Temperature Co-efficients
  7. Mounting structures
  8. Electrical Switching & Safety
  9. Batteries
  10. Standards & Safety
  11. System Sizing
  12. Drawings and diagrams

Principles being tested

The Questions in the test cover the following principles. Candidates writing the test with a good knowledge of the following principles should be able to pass the test.

  1. Electrical Theory
    1. Ohm’s Law
    2. Series and Parallel
    3. Volt drop and Cable sizing
    4. Harmonics & Power Factor
  2. Module technology
    1. Bi-facial, Floating
    2. Poly vs Mono vs Thin-film
    3. Quality – Tier 1 vs 3rd party testing
  3. Irradiation
    1. GHI vs DNI
  4. Surge Protection and Earthing
    1. Internal and External surge protection
    2. Risk analysis
  5. Power and Energy
    1. Calculate Power requirement and Energy Requirement
  6. Temperature Co-efficients
    1. Aluminium, Modules and Copper
  7. Mounting structures
    1. Thermal Breaks and Ballasted systems
    2. Glass glass vs framed modules
  8. Electrical Switching & Safety
    1. Fuse calculation for batteries and for PV
    2. AC vs DC Switching
    3. Fault current calculation
  9. Batteries
    1. Energy densities
    2. Li-ion
    3. Lead acid
  10. Standards & Safety
    1. Identify the correct wiring layout for a single 3kw Pure Grid tied inverter.
    2. Identify the correct wiring layout for a UPS type hybrid inverter on a dedicated circuit.
    3. IEC & SANS standards
    4. Wind loads while working on roofs
    5. Working at heights
  11. System Sizing
    1. Standards (NRS097 limitation)
    2. Consumption profile
    3. Load
  12. Drawings and diagrams
    1. Circuit diagrams for Single phase Grid tied system

Level 2 is a 2-3 hour test with an 80% pass rate.

Preparation for the test

Most candidates display varying levels of skill and theoretical knowledge. Some installers have attended multiple courses and others may have spent countless hours doing research without having ever attended any courses. Disparate research and training activities have resulted in consumers not really being able to distinguish between knowledgeable, experienced and or hoax contractors. The SSP is a scale-able quality assurance platform that allows all stakeholders to participate in the initiative.

Most training providers that offer training for solar PV installers, should be able to provide the required information within their training material in order for students to pass the test. For a list of training centres aligned to the curriculum of AREP, please contact us via e-mail.

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