Solar Panel Installation Course UK: How to Get Qualified in 2026
To install solar panels professionally in the UK, you need the City & Guilds 2922 Solar Photovoltaic Systems qualification. This three-day course has a total price of £689 at LTS and requires a Level 3 electrical qualification and current 18th Edition certificate as prerequisites. With UK solar installations surging — driven by rising energy costs and government net-zero targets — solar PV is one of the most in-demand green skills for electricians in 2026.
Key Facts
- Qualification: City & Guilds 2922 Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems
- Duration: 3 days at LTS
- Total Price: £689
- Prerequisites: Level 3 electrical qualification + current 18th Edition (BS 7671)
- MCS certification: Required to offer government-backed installations
- Combo savings: Solar + Battery £989 (saves £189) | Full Renewables Triple £1,189 (saves £358)
Why Solar PV Is Booming
The UK solar market is experiencing sustained growth driven by multiple factors:
- Rising energy costs have made solar PV increasingly attractive for homeowners and businesses looking to reduce bills
- Government targets — the UK aims for 70GW of solar capacity by 2035, up from approximately 16GW in 2025
- Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) pays homeowners for excess electricity exported to the grid
- Battery storage integration — most new solar installations now include battery storage, creating demand for electricians who can install complete systems
- Commercial rooftop solar is expanding rapidly as businesses seek to reduce carbon footprints and energy costs
For qualified electricians, solar PV installation offers a growing and profitable specialism that complements existing services.
What Is the City & Guilds 2922?
The City & Guilds 2922 (Award in the Design and Installation of Solar Photovoltaic Systems) is the industry-standard qualification for solar PV installation in the UK. It provides the knowledge and practical skills needed to design, install, test, and commission solar PV systems in domestic and commercial settings.
What the Course Covers
- Solar PV technology — how photovoltaic cells, modules, and arrays generate electricity
- System design — sizing arrays, calculating yield, selecting components, and designing string configurations
- Electrical integration — connecting PV systems to consumer units, inverter selection, and AC/DC circuit design
- Mounting systems — roof-mounted, ground-mounted, and building-integrated PV (BIPV) installation methods
- Testing and commissioning — verifying system performance, earth fault loop impedance, and insulation resistance testing
- Grid connection — G98/G99 requirements for connecting generation equipment to the distribution network
- Relevant standards — BS 7671 requirements for PV installations, MCS standards, and building regulations
Assessment
The qualification includes both theoretical assessment and practical demonstration of competence in solar PV system design and installation.
Prerequisites
You must hold the following before enrolling on the 2922:
- Level 3 electrical qualification (Level 3 Diploma 2365 or equivalent)
- Current 18th Edition certificate (BS 7671, including Amendment 4 from October 2026)
If you are starting from scratch, here is the full pathway with LTS pricing:
| Course | Total Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 Diploma (2365) | £4,189 | 7 weeks FT / 15 weeks PT |
| Level 3 Diploma (2365) | £3,179 | 8 weeks FT / 15 weeks PT |
| 18th Edition (2382) | £439 | 3 days |
| Solar PV (2922) | £689 | 3 days |