Qualification of Installer, operator and maintainer
of solar thermal systems : Level 4
MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND SUGGESTED LEARNING E-CONTENTS
KNOWLEDGE
SUGGESTED LEARNING
E-CONTENTS
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Mathematics: basic course
Concepts of Mathematics
(ENEA e-learning course in Italian
version)
(ENEA e-learning course in
Italian version)
Concepts and general principles of Maths
Physics for thermal plants
Thermodynamics, Thermo fluid dynamics, Thermal Machines,
measurements of temperature and pressure
(ENEA e-learning course in Italian
version)
e-Quem, course number 2:
Energetic fundamentalsmodules 1,2,3,4
(ENEA e-learning course in
Italian version)
Principles of Electrical Engineering and Electrical Safety, elements of
Electrical Measurements
Electrotechnics and electrical plant
design
(ENEA e-learning course in Italian
version)
Authorization requirements for civil building thermal plants installations
e-Quem, course number 3: Duties
and activities of Energy Managermodules 4,5,6, annexes
International and National legislatives
See the legislation section of the
e-Quem, course number 2:
Energetic fundamentalsmodules 5,6
(ENEA e-learning course in
Italian version)
e-Quem, course number 7:
ASSESSMENT
Multiple choice
test
Compener web site
Norms, legislations and
contracts in the energy sector
(ENEA e-learning course in
Italian version)
Basic Knowledge of Solar Thermal Technology and systems
Solar thermal energy
(ENEA e-learning course in Italian,
english and french version)
Educate for the future: solar
thermodynamic energy (ENEA
video-lesson in Italian version)
Solar thermodynamic systems
(ENEA video-lesson in Italian
version)
Economic Appraisal of solar air
heating system used for drying
(ENEA video-lesson in english
version)
SKILLS
Cognitive skills: Solution of simple problems concerning basics of physics,
mathematics, hidraulics, electrotechnics, ectrical safety
Practical skills: Use of typical equipment of mechanical, hydraulic and
electrical installation, necessary for plumbing pipes and assembling,
electrical and pressure measurements, simple mechanical operations,
electrical wiring, according to the technical law regulation.
 For cognitive
skills: multiple
choice tests
 For practical
skills: third party
certification of a
working
experience of at
least 6 months
and of
possession of
the required
skills, issued by
companies
operating in the
specific sector
or by a
recognized
laboratory.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCES (EQF ), TRAINING PROGRAMME AND ASSESSMENT
Knowledge to be acquired
KNOWLEDGE
The required knowledge is got by attending a classroom course including theoric and practical sections. The training programme consists of the
following issues:
PRINCIPLES of thermal use of solar system:
 High temperature and low temperature systems
 Thermo-siphon systems
 Forced circulation systems
 Open circuit system
 Close circuit systems
 Solar systems
 Energy integrated systems
APPLICATION FIELDS
 Domestic hot water,
 Swimming pool and agriculture,
 Environmental heating: panels and underfloor
SOLAR COLLECTORS: FEATURES AND OPERATING PRINCIPLES
 Glazed flat collectors,
 Vacuum or heat pipe tube collecotors,
 Plastic panels,
 The absorber
 The certification of solar collectors
SIZING OF THE SYSTEM
Basics of sizing of:
 DHM production or/and integrated heating systems
 Systems for heating swimming pools,
 Systems for Industrial use
INSTALLATION
 Selection of the system plan
 Selection of the components of the solar thermal system (features of collectors,
main components of the primary circuit)
 Functions of solar thermal systems (main and supplementary functions)
 Standards
KNOWLEDGE
SAFETY
 Safety of systems; laws and standards.
 Risks analysis.
 Protection devices
 Selection and right use of protection systems
 Safety operational plan: overview.
INSTALLATION AND MANAGEMENT
 Installation of the solar thermal system (preliminary activities, operational installation cycle, pressure control, control of the thermal vector
fluid
 Test and service
 Standards for solar thermal systems
 Procedures of legal authorization for installing a system
 Management of a system
ECONOMICS OF SOLAR THERMAL:
 Costs and benefits,
 Payback
 Market and technologies
 Test and collection of preliminary data for sizing and design
 Example of economical technical feasibility plan and payback
EXPECTATIONS OF THE TECHNOLOGY
 Concentrated Solar Thermal systems, overview: operating principles, description of common systems, costs and economical and environmental
advantages
 Solar cooling, overview: operating principles, thermal cycles, system schema,
 Description of common systems, costs and economical and environmental advantage
The practical section of the training programme consists of the following laboratory activities:
 Description and analysis of thermal solar systems: used equipments and adopted solutions
 Simulation of implementation: test of performance, washing, filling, air valve, setting, check of operating temperature, parametrization of
integration with other sources
 Gestione e Manutenzione degli impianti Ordinaria e Straordinaria: criteri e operatività
 Service and preventive and corrective maintenance of systems: standards and operation
 System failures: common case
 Repair of failures
 Practical demonstration of trouble-shooting
Required SKILLS
The classroom course will provide further cognitive and practical skills for the installation of Solar thermal systems .
The required skills to pass the final examination are:
SKILLS
Cognitive skills:
1. Evaluation, audit and preliminary design of systems for using solar thermal energy
2. understanding of functional plans of simple and complex systems
3. understanding of the datasheets of system components
4. knowledge of the regulation of work and site safety
5. knowledge of personal equipment for safety at work
6. be able to provide, after the installation, input data for preparing “as built” documents to be attached to the compliance declaration
of the system
7. Estimate costs and payback of the systems
8. correct installation, audit and test of solar thermal systems
9. be able to use tools for monitoring and management
Practical skills:
 In using equipment for plumbing , mechanical and electrical installation, required to make thermal hydraulic, electrical, temperature, pressure
measurements, and so on.
be able to assemble the components of the system, of installation on several types of roofing, electric wiring according to the CEI standards
 demonstration to be able to size and design a solar thermal system in a correct way
 to demonstrate to be able to install autonomously a solar thermal system for DHW and a heating system, based on the design plans, by
managing his work with autonomy
 to demonstrate to be able to work on the safety conditions as foreseen by safety plan and/or coordination
 to demonstrate to be able to identify system solutions , to be able to solve simple problems, concerning specific cases and sites of installation,
non predictable at design level.
 To demonstrate to be able to make audit and test of the system on several conditions of service and meteorology
 To demonstrate to be able to make service and maintenance , in autonomy and based on instructions and defined procedures, the service and
maintenance of solar thermal systems:
 preventive maintenance
 corrective maintenance
COMPETENCES
Required competences
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taking initiative
taking responsibility for one’s own working and progress
problem solving
applying theoretical knowledge in practical contexts
being numerate and literate
having information and communication technology skills
sourcing and organising information effectively
listening effectively
communicating orally and in writing
working effectively in group situations
understanding health and safety issues
reflecting on and evaluating quality of own working and achievement
working autonomously
Final examination
ASSESSMENT
In the qualification process, the final results will be demostrated by the final examination.
It consists of passing the following tests:
1. multiple choice test referring to the contents of the classroom training course (knowledge)
2. written, practical and oral tests aimed to verifying skills and competences.
The required skills will be demonstrated by exercises and tests in laboratory or simulation systems concerning:
a) the use of various components, materials, instruments, equipment, software used in the design and installation of solar thermal plants;
b) solutions, conversion and utilization of energy adapted to the local context (short chain, widespread use);
c) Interpretation of the system components datasheets;
d) Basic evaluation on Energy and Solar thermal systems sizing;
e) estimation of costs and payback;
f) simulation of the Installation of simple Solar thermal system;
g) solutions and configurations of alternative and optimized Solar thermal systems;
h) Verifying and testing of solar thermal systems in typical situations;