Level 3 Award in the Installation and Maintenance of Solar Thermal Hot Water Systems

• Provide learners with the knowledge and competence needed to install, commission, and hand over solar thermal hot water systems
• Develop the practical skills required to inspect, service, and maintain active solar thermal hot water systems
• Ensure learners understand the design principles and system components used in solar thermal technology
• Build understanding of the regulatory and safety requirements relevant to solar thermal installations
• Support learners in meeting Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) qualification requirements
• Prepare learners for successful completion of both the knowledge exam and practical performance assessment
• Enable engineers to expand their services into the renewable energy sector
• Provide a foundation for progression into further renewable qualifications, such as heat pumps

• Introduction to solar thermal systems in the context of renewable technologies
• Requirements to install, commission, and hand over solar thermal hot water systems
• Solar thermal system design, sizing, and component selection
• Installation procedures for active solar thermal hot water systems
• Commissioning and handover procedures
• Requirements to inspect, service, and maintain active solar thermal hot water systems
• Fault-finding and diagnostic techniques for solar thermal systems
• Health and safety considerations specific to solar thermal installation and maintenance
• Relevant regulations, standards, and MCS requirements
• Online multiple-choice knowledge exam preparation
• Practical performance assessment preparation

This course is aimed at installers and those involved in the commissioning and servicing of solar thermal hot water systems, including heating engineers, plumbers, and renewable installers looking to add solar thermal to their range of services. It’s particularly suited to experienced professionals wanting to expand into the renewable energy sector and meet MCS registration requirements.

Learners are typically required to be a minimum of 19 years old and hold a minimum NVQ Level 2/3 qualification in plumbing or conventional heating engineering, or demonstrable evidence of at least three years’ relevant experience, alongside a Domestic Vented and Unvented Hot Water Storage Systems certificate and Water Regulations certificates. An up-to-date Energy Efficiency for Domestic Heating certificate is also required before enrolling.