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Solar PV installer cards, qualifications and tickets: a pre-site checklist
Most solar installs that start late don't start late because of the roof or the weather. They start late because someone arrives on site with an expired card, a missing ticket or a qualification nobody asked to see. This guide sets out what UK solar PV crews are typically asked for, and the order in which it makes sense to check it.
It's a practical checklist, not legal advice. Requirements vary by principal contractor, client and site, so always confirm against the site's own induction and access rules.
The short version
| Check | Typically applies to | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| ECS card | Electricians and electrically skilled installers | Identifies electrotechnical workers and shows a health and safety assessment |
| CSCS card | Non-electrical site roles (labourers, logistics, site support) | Commonly required for site access |
| 18th Edition (BS 7671) | Anyone carrying out electrical work | The wiring regulations qualification many employers expect |
| Level 3 NVQ (electrotechnical) | Qualified electricians | Common evidence of electrical competence |
| Product and scheme training | Depends on the system (for example battery storage) | Manufacturer or scheme requirements |
| IPAF, PASMA, working at height | Roles using access equipment or working at height | Often required before access is granted |
| Right to work | Everyone you employ | A legal requirement for the employer |
Step 1: the right card
For electrical roles, the usual site card is an ECS card. The ECS card is run by the JIB (and the SJIB in Scotland), is partnered to CSCS, and new and renewed cards require the holder to show health and safety awareness, as the JIB handbook explains. For other site roles, it is usually a CSCS card. The card a person holds should match the job they will actually do on site, not just the trade they trained in.
Check the card is in date, matches the person, and matches the role. Don't rely on a photo of a card sent days earlier. Each scheme offers its own online checker: ECS Check for ECS cards and CSCS Smart Check for CSCS cards.
Step 2: electrical qualifications
For the AC and DC electrical work on a solar PV job, employers commonly look for:
- 18th Edition (BS 7671). BS 7671 is amended from time to time, so check which edition and amendment the certificate covers and whether your client expects a particular one. The IET publishes the current version.
- Level 3 NVQ or an equivalent electrotechnical qualification.
- Inspection and testing qualifications where the role includes testing, verification or commissioning. Not every installer needs these, so match them to the job.
If a role is about mounting panels on a roof rather than electrical connection, the qualification requirement will differ. Be clear in the job description about which tasks the person will carry out.
Step 3: product and scheme training
This is where solar roles vary most. Some points worth checking:
- MCS. MCS certifies installation companies rather than individual installers; a certified company nominates a technical person whose competence is shown through approved training. If your work is MCS-covered, confirm which certified company the installer will work under and what that company expects of its crews. See MCS's guide to becoming certified.
- Battery storage. Many manufacturers expect installers to have completed their own product training before installing or commissioning. Ask for the certificate, not just a verbal assurance.
- F-Gas or heat pump training is relevant to heat pump roles rather than solar PV, but it appears on mixed-technology crews, so check it where it applies.
Step 4: access tickets for roof and height work
Solar PV is height work. Depending on the site, you may see requirements for:
- IPAF for mobile elevating work platforms.
- PASMA for mobile access towers.
- Working at height training, which many sites ask for as a baseline.
Whether a ticket is needed depends on the equipment on site and the principal contractor's rules. Ask the site team early which tickets they will inspect, including anything else they require such as first aid.
Step 5: right to work
Employers must check a person's right to work in the UK before employing them, following the Home Office employer's guide to right to work checks. Treat it as a gate that has to be complete before anyone starts, not something to tidy up after mobilisation.
Why check before mobilisation, not on the morning
When checks are left to the induction, problems surface when they are most expensive: a crew is booked, travel is arranged and the site is waiting. If a card has lapsed or a ticket is missing at that point, the choices are a delay or a substitute.
Checking earlier gives everyone time to fix things. A renewal can be booked, a replacement can be found, and the site can be told in advance. This is the principle behind how Ember works: cards, qualifications and tickets are checked before anyone is sent to site.
For installers: what to have ready
If you're an electrician or solar installer looking for project work, have these to hand:
- Your ECS or CSCS card, with the expiry date.
- Qualification certificates (18th Edition, NVQ, any testing qualifications).
- Product or scheme training certificates.
- Access tickets such as IPAF and PASMA.
- Proof of right to work.
- How far you're happy to travel.
Ember is building its renewable energy talent pool. You can register as a candidate, upload your CV and add your cards and tickets. It is free for candidates. Registering doesn't mean a role is available right now; we'll tell you when projects that fit come up.
For employers: setting requirements clearly
If you're an installer, contractor or O&M provider, the most useful thing you can do is state requirements in the brief: the card type, the qualifications, the tickets, and any client-specific rules. The clearer the brief, the less is left to discover on the day. You can create an employer account to post a role or a crew requirement.
FAQ
Do solar PV installers need an ECS card? Electricians and electrically skilled installers are commonly asked for one, but requirements depend on the role and the site. Check the principal contractor's rules.
Is 18th Edition mandatory for solar installers? It is widely expected for anyone doing electrical work, but the requirement comes from the employer, client or scheme rather than a single rule for every job. Confirm for your project.
Does an individual installer need to be MCS certified? MCS certification is held by the installing company, not by individual installers. Confirm with the company you will work under what training it expects from you.
Who checks right to work? The employer. It should be complete before the person starts.
Register your interest
Whether you install solar PV or need crews who are ready for site, register with Ember and we'll be in touch as the talent pool grows.