PV GreenCard explained: why it matters and how to verify
The PV GreenCard is the single most important credential when choosing an installer. Here's what it is, what it covers, and how to verify one in 30 seconds.
The PV GreenCard is South Africa's industry-recognised accreditation for solar photovoltaic installers. It is issued by the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) and confirms that an installer has been trained and audited against SANS 10142-1-2, the section of South Africa's national wiring code written specifically for photovoltaic installations. It was developed with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy as the practical complement to that code.
What the PV GreenCard actually certifies
A PV GreenCard is not a general electrical licence and it does not replace one. It certifies competence in the parts of a solar installation that ordinary electrical training does not cover: direct-current isolation, array earthing and bonding, inverter commissioning, and the documentation a municipality requires before it will allow a system to be connected. An electrician without it may be entirely competent, but nobody has audited their work against the PV-specific requirements.
- Accredited PV-specific training, completed and assessed
- Demonstrated competence in DC isolation, earthing and bonding
- Inverter commissioning and small-scale embedded generation compliance
- Installation work audited on site, not just in a classroom
How to verify a PV GreenCard in under a minute
SAPVIA publishes the register of certified installation companies, and it is public. Every installer profile on SunVerified links directly to that company's entry on it, so you can confirm the certification with the body that issued it rather than taking anyone's word for it. Ask the installer for their company name as it appears on the register and check it yourself before signing anything.
Why it matters beyond compliance
Two practical consequences. First, insurance: after a fire or a lightning strike, an insurer may ask who installed the system and whether the installation was compliant. Second, resale and municipal sign-off: a grid-tied or hybrid system generally has to be registered as small-scale embedded generation, and that registration needs a certificate of compliance. An installer who is not equipped to produce the paperwork leaves you holding an unregistered system.
What a PV GreenCard does not tell you
It says nothing about pricing, workmanship on your particular roof, warranty support, or whether a company will still be trading in five years. It is a floor, not a ranking. Treat it as the minimum filter, then compare itemised quotes, ask for recent local references, and confirm public liability cover is current.
Written and maintained by SunVerified from public sources, each linked below. We publish under the company name rather than invented bylines, and we correct guides when the underlying rules change. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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