Photovoltaics: Qualibat reorganizes its qualifications according to the power of the installations

Qualibat is reorganizing its range of qualifications dedicated to photovoltaic installations to better adapt them to the power and technical complexity of projects. Four levels now cover residential, commercial and industrial installations, as well as carports and ground-mounted power plants.

This development aims to make qualifications more transparent for businesses, project owners, and specifiers. It takes place within a regulatory framework that notably mandates the use of qualified installers for certain installations seeking to benefit from a power purchase agreement.

Four qualifications adapted to the power of the installations

Qualifications 5911 to 5914 are linked to family 5 "Energies and fluids" of the Qualibat nomenclature. They cover the study, supply, installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of photovoltaic installations, within the limits defined for each level.

Qualification 5911 applies to installations with a connection capacity of 36 kVA or less. Qualification 5912 raises this threshold to 250 kVA, while qualification 5913 covers projects up to 500 kVA. Qualification 5914 applies to installations exceeding 500 kVA built on buildings, canopies, or ground-mounted power plants, excluding foundations and supporting structures.

The classification hierarchy allows a company qualified at a higher technical level to carry out work falling under lower levels. Qualifications 5911, 5912, and 5913 are associated with the "Recognized Environmental Guarantor" (RGE) designation for the photovoltaic solar panel category. This designation is not indicated for qualification 5914 in the 2026 classification.

Technical experts trained in photovoltaics

Each applicant establishment must designate a "Photovoltaics" technical expert, who may be the company director. This expert must hold a diploma or professional qualification covering at least the study, implementation and maintenance of photovoltaic installations, or have completed continuing education with a knowledge assessment.

In this second case, the training must be delivered by an approved organization and validated by a multiple-choice questionnaire, with a minimum score of 24 out of 30.

The level of experience required varies depending on the qualification:

• no additional time is imposed for qualification 5911;
• Two years of experience are required for qualification 5912;
• Four years of experience are required for qualifications 5913 and 5914.

The company must also demonstrate its ability to carry out roofing work. It may have an experienced technician in-house, holding a diploma or qualification such as a professional qualification certificate (CQP) or QualiPV Bât certification. If not, it must subcontract this work to qualified roofing subcontractors and provide their company name and SIRET number.

Electrical and coverage skills verified

The system distinguishes between two complementary areas of expertise. The first concerns the design and electrical implementation of grid-connected photovoltaic generators. The second concerns the roofing, waterproofing, and safety of work carried out on roofs.

When a company subcontracts a technical part of a construction project, it must use a company with the appropriate qualifications. For electrical work, Qualibat specifically recognizes the corresponding photovoltaic qualifications from Qualibat, Qualifelec, or Qualit'EnR. Roofing work must also be entrusted to a company qualified in this field.

Mandatory equipment for measurement and safety

The applicant company must prove that it owns or leases the resources necessary to perform the services itself. Supporting documents may take the form of purchase or lease invoices, or certificates accompanied by photographs showing the serial numbers.

The expected equipment includes, in particular:

• instruments for assessing solar resource, such as a compass, a clinometer or a solarimeter;
• electrical wiring and measurement tools, including a multimeter, a clamp meter, an insulation tester and a voltage absence tester;
• electrical safety equipment, including insulating gloves, a face shield and lockout/tagout devices;
• personal and collective protective equipment for work at height, such as harnesses, lanyards, fall arrest devices and helmets.

References tailored to each power segment

Companies must submit projects that meet the required qualification level. Installations may be connected to the public grid or operate for self-consumption. They must have been assembled on-site: ready-to-install solar kits without assembly are excluded from eligible submissions.

For qualification 5912, the references must relate to installations with a power rating greater than 36 kVA and up to 250 kVA. For qualification 5913, they must concern power ratings greater than 250 kVA and less than or equal to 500 kVA. Above this threshold, the references fall under qualification 5914.

Each construction site must be documented with detailed invoices, photographs, technical and electrical studies, as well as a certificate of conformity from the National Committee for the Safety of Electricity Users (Consuel) or a report from a technical inspector. The fastening methods must also be subject to an appropriate technical assessment.

Audits tailored to the volume of activity

For RGE qualifications 5911, 5912 and 5913, a first implementation check must take place no later than after the second construction site following the award of the qualification or, failing that, within the first twelve months.

Further audits are then carried out on a sampling basis. For a company completing up to 500 installations of less than 500 kWp per year, the minimum number of sites inspected corresponds to 7% of its annual activity. Beyond 500 installations, the minimum sample size is calculated according to a formula defined by the Qualibat standard.

Qualification 5914 follows a separate procedure. It notably includes an initial audit within the company and on a completed worksite, followed by follow-up or renewal audits depending on the qualification status.

The audits cover regulatory compliance, best practices, safety, commercial documents, studies, invoices, certificates of conformity, and the quality of work delivered to the client. Failure to correct any discrepancies within the allotted time may result in suspension and then withdrawal of qualification.

Insurance certificates with specific guidelines

Obtaining or maintaining a qualification also requires the presentation of a valid insurance certificate covering the relevant activities. Qualibat requires that the document be issued by the insurer, a general agent, or an intermediary with appropriate authorization.

The certificate must include the company's name and SIREN number, the contract number, its validity period, the activities covered, and the scope of the guarantees. Any extensions must be explicitly stated. Certificates limited to a single construction site are not accepted.

Qualification 3293 for systems installed on roof terraces

In addition to the qualifications dedicated to photovoltaic installation, qualification 3293 concerns the work of integrating modules on flat roofs. It covers the study, supply and installation of the supports, but excludes electrical connections.

It is aimed particularly at companies that install welded rails or pads on a waterproofing membrane, as well as bonded flexible or semi-rigid modules. The installation of the panels and their electrical connection must be entrusted to companies with the appropriate qualifications.

The bidding company must designate a technical expert with at least four years of experience in flat roof waterproofing and training in photovoltaic technologies. It must also demonstrate that it has appropriate equipment and provide three documented project references, at least two of which must involve rigid modules fixed to the waterproofing membrane.

Awarded for four years subject to annual monitoring, the qualification is subject to periodic review. Qualibat verifies, in particular, the continued relevance of the technical expert, recent references, the company's resources, and the conformity of the work carried out.

A framework linked to the conditions for purchasing solar electricity

The audit and qualification requirements are in particular part of the decree of 6 October 2021 applicable in mainland France and the decree of 5 January 2024 applicable in non-interconnected areas.

These regulations govern the conditions for purchasing electricity produced by photovoltaic installations installed on buildings, sheds, or carports, up to a peak power of 500 kWp. They notably require the presentation of a certificate attesting to the installer's professional qualifications or certification.

With this organization, Qualibat intends to provide companies with a path that corresponds more precisely to their markets and to allow project owners to identify the skills adapted to the power and configuration of their project.

Image illustrating the article via Depositphotos.com.