About this module
Level 1 made you a safe helper. Level 2 makes you the person who surveys, designs and checks, while the licensed electrician still does the wiring.
Who it is for. People who have finished Solar Energy (Level 1), or who can show the same skills. National Proficiency II covers varied work done under limited supervision.
CTVET status. CTVET runs solar PV competency-based training at levels 1 and 2, but that curriculum was not available online. This module is not a CTVET curriculum. It follows CTVET's format.
Bridge from Level 1: what you already know
- PPE, the "never" list, the ladder 1-in-4 rule and shock first aid
- Volts, amps, watts and watt-hours; series and parallel
- Peak sun hours, and why you design for the worst month
- The basic sizing method for panels and batteries
- PWM and MPPT controllers in general terms
- Face south, tilt at least 10°, avoid shade, earth the frames, fuse near the battery
- Cleaning, the battery voltage table and the order for finding faults
- Only a certified professional wires; old batteries go whole to a licensed recycler
Level 1 did not cover inverter sizing, cable sizing, commissioning tests or prices. This manual covers them.
How the module works
Each unit has learning outcomes, performance criteria, the range and the evidence your assessor needs. You are judged Competent or Not Yet Competent. About 70% of the time is practical, following CTVET's Oil Palm programme split of about 30% school and 70% workplace.
Unit 1 · The legal line and your career route
Knowing what you may not do protects you, your customer and your future licence.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 1.1 State the legal line | states what an NP II worker may and may not do, and who signs off |
| 1.2 Explain certification | explains CEWP classes, exam stages and the EC installer licences |
| 1.3 Plan a career route | writes a personal plan toward certification |
Range. Ghana's wiring and renewable energy rules. Evidence. Legal line chart; career plan.
What you may do at Level 2
| You may (under supervision) | Only a certified or licensed person may |
|---|---|
| Survey sites and audit loads | Wire and connect systems |
| Draw up a design for checking and sign-off | Sign off designs and installations |
| Witness and help with tests | Run an installation business |
| Clean, inspect and maintain | Install solar pumps |
| Explain the system to the customer | Sell electricity to others |
Certification
- The Energy Commission certifies Electrical Wiring Professionals (CEWP) in Domestic, Commercial and Industrial classes, and Inspectors. Holders get a certificate, ID card and stamp. The syllabus is sold at the EC office.
- The EC page lists exam fees of GH¢450 (Domestic), GH¢580 (Commercial), GH¢720 (Industrial) and GH¢780 (Inspector). The page is undated, so confirm before you apply.
- The exam has a written paper, an interview and a practical, run by the EC with CTVET. Sittings are held in Takoradi. In September 2026, 141 of 148 Western Region candidates passed.
- The revised wiring standard now covers solar and battery storage, and the EC is preparing a new syllabus for them.
- Certificate holders must not let uncertified people work under their certificate.
EC installer licences. Small-scale covers systems up to 100 kW; large-scale covers 100 kW and above. Licences last one year, solar installers must show a CEWP licence, and used or refurbished equipment is not allowed.
Selling electricity. It is a criminal offence to sell solar electricity to others inside ECG or NEDCo areas without a licence. Financing equipment is allowed only if payments are not based on electricity used.
Training routes
- Takoradi Technical University has a Solar Training Centre with a 3-week PV planner course.
- KNUST's energy centre has run solar design and installation short courses.
- The international NABCEP PV Associate exam is open worldwide.
Career plan
- Make a chart of what you may and may not do.
- Write your plan: which CEWP class, when, how you will prepare, and what it costs.
EC office
Find the Energy Commission office for the Western Region and the next exam date.
Unit 2 · Site survey and energy audit
A good design starts with a true picture of the site and what the customer really uses.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 2.1 Audit the load | lists every load, including surge and standby |
| 2.2 Use sun data | uses NASA POWER and PVGIS for the site and explains differences |
| 2.3 Survey the site | records shade, direction, tilt and roof condition |
Range. One home and one farm or shop. Evidence. Completed survey forms; load audit.
Sun data for Takoradi
- PVGIS gives an average of 5.64 kWh per m² per day on the panel, with June lowest at 4.54. A 1 kW array yields about 1,550 kWh a year. The best tilt is about 8°, but 10° loses almost nothing and helps rain wash the panels.
- NASA POWER gives about 4.95 on flat ground, with June at 4.22.
Two figures, two uses. The sources measure different surfaces. For off-grid systems keep the Level 1 rule of designing with about 4 peak sun hours. PVGIS is useful for estimating a grid-tied system's yearly output.
Load audit
For each appliance record: watts, hours a day, quantity, and whether it has a motor (motors draw a surge when starting). Add standby loads such as TVs and decoders left on.
Two surveys
- Survey a home and a farm or shop: loads, roof or ground space, direction, tilt and shade.
- Look up PVGIS and NASA POWER figures for each site.
- Total the daily energy use.
Meter reading
Read your home's prepaid meter at the same time each day for a week. What is your daily use?
Unit 3 · Design: batteries, controllers and inverters
Match every part to the next: panels to controller, controller to battery, battery to inverter, inverter to loads.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 3.1 Choose batteries | compares lead-acid and lithium (LiFePO4) on cycles, depth of discharge and heat |
| 3.2 Match the panel string | matches string voltage and current to MPPT limits |
| 3.3 Size the system | picks system voltage and inverter size |
Range. Two designs from Unit 2 surveys. Evidence. Design sheets checked by the supervisor.
Batteries
- LiFePO4 batteries can give about 2,500 cycles at 80% depth of discharge. Sellers claim more; trust the datasheet.
- They must only be charged between 5 °C and 50 °C, with less current above 35 °C. A small constant drain can ruin a battery left flat for more than about 8 days.
System voltage
Use 12 V up to 3,000 VA, 24 V up to 5,000 VA and 48 V above that.
Matching panels to the controller
Panel voltage rises when cells are cool. String voltage = panel open-circuit voltage × panels in series × a cold-weather factor, and must stay below the controller's maximum. Current rises with sunlight.
String check
A panel's open-circuit voltage is 49 V. You plan 3 in series. Using a factor of 1.1, what is the string voltage? Is it safe for a controller rated 150 V?
Two designs
- Design a system for each surveyed site: panels, strings, controller, battery, inverter.
- Show every calculation.
- Have your supervisor check and sign the designs.
Datasheets
Download datasheets for one panel, one controller and one battery sold in Takoradi. Mark the key numbers.
Unit 4 · Protection: cables, fuses, earthing and arcs
Most solar fires start at a bad joint or a wrong cable. You must be able to spot them.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 4.1 Size cables | works out cable size from current and voltage drop |
| 4.2 Check protection | checks fusing, isolation, earthing and surge protection against the drawing |
| 4.3 Prevent arcs | explains DC arc hazards and prevention |
Range. The training rig and two designs. Evidence. Cable sizing sheet; protection checklist.
Cables and fuses
Keep voltage drop below 2.5%. For short runs up to 5 m, a rough guide is cable size in mm² about equal to amps ÷ 3. Every DC load gets its own fuse on the positive. For lithium banks, at least one fuse must be able to break the battery's very large short-circuit current. Crimp with the right tool and tighten to the maker's setting.
DC arcs
DC arcs can be hotter than 3,000 °C. Loose or broken joints cause series arcs; damaged insulation from sun or rats causes parallel arcs. A panel keeps feeding an arc as long as light falls on it.
International standards cover solar installations and surge protection for them. The certified professional designs the earthing and surge protection; you check that the work matches the drawing.
Arc rules.
- Never pull apart a DC connector under load.
- Switch off the AC side first, then the DC side.
- Cover panels before working on them.
- Use matching connectors from the same maker.
Protection check
- Size the cables for one of your designs.
- Walk the training rig with a checklist: fuses, isolators, earth, surge protection, labels.
- Mark anything that does not match the drawing.
Spot the fault
Photograph (with permission) three solar installations. Note any visible protection problems.
Unit 5 · Commissioning, documents and handover
A system is not finished until it is tested, recorded and explained to the owner.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 5.1 Witness tests | carries out or witnesses the standard tests under supervision |
| 5.2 Prepare documents | assembles the documentation pack |
| 5.3 Hand over | explains the system to the customer, including accessibility needs |
Range. The training rig and one real installation. Evidence. Test record; documentation pack; handover checklist.
Standard tests
The international standard for commissioning PV systems lists: earth continuity, polarity (before strings are joined), open-circuit voltage, operating current, function tests and insulation resistance.
Expected output rises and falls with sunlight: a 10 kW array should give about 7 kW in 700 W/m² of sun.
Insulation testers make high voltages. At this level you watch or assist while the supervisor runs them. Wear insulating gloves, never test alone, and check polarity before joining strings.
The documentation pack
- Single-line diagram
- Ratings of every part, with datasheets
- Operation and maintenance guide
- Emergency shutdown steps, posted at the system
- Test results
- Contract and warranties
Handover
Show the owner how to read the display, switch off safely and clean the panels. Put isolators and the shutdown label where everyone, including wheelchair users, can reach them. Give pictures and a Fante or Twi sheet if helpful.
Commission the rig
- Assist with each test on the training rig and record results.
- Assemble a full documentation pack.
- Role-play a handover with a "customer".
Write the guide
Write a one-page owner's guide in plain language for one of your designs.
Unit 6 · Maintenance, fault finding and product quality
Systems fail from neglect and from bad products. Regular checks and good parts keep customers happy.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 6.1 Maintain | follows a planned maintenance schedule |
| 6.2 Find faults | compares measured and expected output to find faults |
| 6.3 Judge quality | spots substandard products and handles end-of-life equipment lawfully |
Range. Two systems in use. Evidence. Maintenance records; fault report.
Fake and poor products
- The Energy Commission says it cannot guarantee the quality of renewable energy products on the market. About 98,000 solar units were imported between December 2024 and August 2025, most allegedly without the required licences, and the EC has stepped up checks at the port.
- The EC registers inverters, batteries and panels for a fee.
- Look for quality marks: the IEC standard for small solar kits and IEC module safety standards.
End of life
Ghana's 2016 e-waste law set rules for electronic waste. A legal summary says the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124) repealed it and raised fines, so check the current rules with the Environmental Protection Authority. Most e-waste is still handled informally. A Ghana handbook covers reusing lithium batteries safely.
Service visit
- Clean, inspect and record two systems using a maintenance checklist.
- Compare output with what the panels should produce for the sun that day.
- Write a fault report for any problem.
Quality check
Visit a solar shop. Which products show quality marks or EC registration?
Unit 7 · Solar for farms and the solar business
Farms need water, cooling and drying. Solar can supply all three, and a lawful business can supply the farms.
Competency standard
| Learning outcome | Performance criteria — the trainee… |
|---|---|
| 7.1 Size a solar pump | calculates head, flow and pump power |
| 7.2 Assess farm solar | assesses solar cold rooms and dryers |
| 7.3 Plan a lawful business | designs a business model and markets it |
Range. One farm. Evidence. Pump sizing; business plan.
Pump sizing
Hydraulic power (W) = total head (m) × flow (litres per second) × 9.81 Electrical power = hydraulic power ÷ pump efficiency (use 30–40% for planning) Panel watts = electrical power ÷ 0.8
Total head = lift + drawdown + pipe friction. Only a licensed pump installer may install it.
Size a pump
Head 20 m, flow 1 litre per second, efficiency 35%. What panel wattage?
Farm solar in Ghana
- A pump company in Ghana finances solar pumps with no collateral and a 17-month repayment matched to crop cycles; irrigation costs fell by an average of 91%.
- Solar cold rooms are offered on pay-as-you-go terms, linking farmers to retailers.
- A solar dryer project dried 43 tonnes of mango; the prototype cost about half of commercial dryers.
Why customers go solar
- From July 2026, residential power cost 203.75 Gp per kWh for the first 300 kWh and 269.22 Gp above that. Tariffs are reviewed every quarter and were cut in April 2026.
- Net metering was added to the law in 2020. A national net metering portal was launched in December 2025, with up to 12,000 rooftop systems planned.
- A US$200 million programme with Switzerland plans about 4,000 rooftop systems.
- Marketplace prices in October 2026 included a 460 W panel at about GH¢1,250 and a 48 V 5 kWh lithium battery at GH¢11,000–17,000.
- Experts have called for removing import duty and VAT on solar panels.
Lawful business models
- Site surveys and designs for licensed installers
- Cleaning and maintenance contracts
- Selling quality products (retail needs no licence)
- Pay-as-you-go: deposit, then mobile money payments, owning the system in about a year
- Solar pump and cold room sales through licensed partners
- Never sell kWh to tenants or neighbours
Location settings that give good returns
- Farming areas with dry-season irrigation needs
- Shops, salons, cold stores and phone repairers in Takoradi with costly bills
- Communities with unreliable power
- Near a licensed installer you can partner with
Market yourself
- Show your training certificate and, later, your CEWP stamp.
- Before-and-after bill photos from customers (with permission).
- Maintenance reminders by WhatsApp.
- Honest advice: customers return to people who did not oversell.
Accessibility
Takoradi Technical University has a disability support unit and has graduated deaf students. Survey, design and maintenance work suits many people with physical disabilities. Use ground-level training rigs, buddy any roof work, and give deaf customers text or video alarms.
Farm and business
- Size a solar pump for a farm you surveyed.
- Write a one-page business plan with a lawful model.
- Make a WhatsApp Business catalogue entry.
Price list
Make a price list of three panels, two batteries and two inverters from Takoradi shops.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CEWP | Certified Electrical Wiring Professional |
| Commissioning | Testing and recording a system before use |
| DC arc | A spark across a gap in a DC circuit |
| Depth of discharge | How much of a battery's charge is used |
| LiFePO4 | Lithium iron phosphate battery |
| Net metering | Exporting spare solar power to the grid for credit |
| Open-circuit voltage | Panel voltage with nothing connected |
| Total head | Lift plus drawdown plus friction in a pump system |
Logbook
- Unit 1: legal line chart; career plan
- Unit 2: two survey forms; load audits; sun data
- Unit 3: two signed design sheets
- Unit 4: cable sizing; protection checklist
- Unit 5: test record; documentation pack
- Unit 6: maintenance records; fault report
- Unit 7: pump sizing; business plan
- Every homework, dated
Self-check quiz
- Name three things you may do at Level 2 and two you may not.
- What are the three CEWP classes?
- Why is selling solar kWh to neighbours illegal?
- What design sun hours do you use for off-grid in Takoradi?
- What system voltage suits a 4,000 VA inverter?
- Why must you check string voltage on a cold morning?
- What is the voltage drop limit?
- Name four commissioning tests.
- Name four items in a documentation pack.
- Write the hydraulic power formula.
Further reading and sources
Best next reads: your Level 1 manual; the EC CEWP syllabus; the Victron "Wiring Unlimited" book; the Hub's Money Skills manual.
What this module does not cover: wiring and connection work (CEWP only), large grid-tied plants, and mini-grids.
Every source used in this manual is listed, with links, in the Teacher Copy.