Training, skill and certification in PV installations

The ongoing phase of the Italian “Conto energia” Programme highlights a large participation and a high increase of PV installations. A preliminary evaluation of PV power installed in Italy during 2011 amounts to around 11.000 MWp. In this situation it is important that the design, installation and maintenance of PV Power Plants is properly done according to technical norms and standards. In Italy different institutions are working together to define how to fulfil the guidelines expressed in the 2009 EU Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. The Italian certification, will be managed by regional administrations supported by ENEA, the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development. As art. 13 foresees, the installers of PV plants will receive a certification after having followed a training programme and an examination of competences by the institutional bodies. The “certified installers” will be inserted in a national register under control of ENEA and of the regional administrations. ENEA with Mesos, which is an ENEA spin off, have set up blended system courses (e-learning and face to face lessons) which are qualified by CEPAS, a national professional certification body.