GSES offers this Design Only course in three variants, depending on whether you have already studied grid-connected PV systems or grid-connected battery storage systems. We strongly recommend completing our Grid-Connected PV Systems course, followed by our Battery Storage for Grid-Connected PV course, if you have not yet completed these courses with us or another registered training organisation.

• SAPS Fast Track (must have completed the Grid-Connected PV Systems AND Grid-Connected Battery Storage Systems Design units of competency specified in the Prerequisites section).
  • Cost: $1695 | Shortened online theory
• SAPS GCPV Accredited (must have completed the Grid-Connected PV Systems Design units of competency specified in the Prerequisites section). We recommend enrolling in the Grid-Connected Battery Storage Systems course rather than this variant, followed by SAPS Fast Track.
  • Cost: $1795 | Slightly shortened online theory
• SAPS Full Course (no prior grid-connect training or accreditation). We recommend enrolling in the Grid-Connected PV Systems course rather than this variant, followed by Grid-Connected Battery Storage Systems and SAPS Fast Track.
  • Cost: $1895 | Online theory

NOTE: if you’re not sure if you meet the specific prerequisite requirements, please feel free to send your certificates through to training@gses.com.au and we’ll check for you.

All course participants must demonstrate one of the following prerequisites to enrol in this course:

• Statement of Attainment in UEERE0051 – Apply electrical principles to renewable energy design;
• Statement of Attainment in UEEEL0039 – Design, install and verify compliance and functionality of general electrical installations; or
• Unrestricted electrical licence issued by an Australian state or territory

Students of the GCPV Accredited variant must additionally have one of the following:

• Statement of Attainment in UEERE0061 – Design grid-connected photovoltaic power supply systems; or
• Both of:
  • Statement of Attainment in UEERE0022, UEENEEK125A, UEENEEK025C, or UEENEEK025B – Solve basic problems in photovoltaic energy apparatus and systems; and
  • Statement of Attainment in UEERE0011, UEENEEK135A, UEENEEK035C, or UEENEEK035B – Design grid-connected photovoltaic power supply systems

Along with the prerequisites for the GCPV Accredited variant, students of the Fast Track variant must additionally have one of the following:

•       Statement of Attainment in UEERE0060 – Design grid-connected battery storage systems; or
•       Statement of Attainment in UEERE5001 – Design battery storage systems for grid-connected photovoltaic systems

Successful completion of this Stand Alone Power Systems Design Only course will result in the award of a a Statement of Attainment in the current version of the following Units of Competency:

• UEERE0055 – Conduct site survey for off-grid photovoltaic/generating set systems; and
• UEERE0063 – Design off-grid photovoltaic/generating set systems

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be eligible to apply to the Solar Accreditation Australia for the Design of Stand-alone Power Systems Accreditation. Solar Accreditation Australia has information on their website indicating their requirements to apply for SAA Accreditation: https://saaustralia.com.au/about-accreditation/.

Students can choose between options of an online e-Book or a printed copy of the publication Stand-Alone Power Systems Design and Installation 8th Edition as part of enrolment; if a student wants a printed hard copy they must pay an additional fee for printing and shipping the textbook. Students are responsible for obtaining current copies of the following Australian Standards, available for purchase from the SAI Global website or Techstreet website, and also available from some libraries, institutions and industry associations:

• AS/NZS 5033 – Photovoltaic arrays
• AS/NZS 4777.1 – Grid connection of energy systems via inverters
• AS/NZS 4509.1 – Stand Alone Power Systems – Safety and installation
• AS/NZS 4509.2 – Stand Alone Power Systems – System design
• AS/NZS 5139 – Electrical installations – Safety of battery systems for use with power conversion equipment
• AS/NZS 3010 – Electrical installations – Generating sets
• AS/NZS 3000 – Wiring Rules
• AS/NZS 3008.1.1 – Electrical installations – Selection of cables

Students will also require the following:

• Computer with reliable Internet connection
• Scientific calculator
• Email account, checked regularly

This course is designed for engineers or those who hold equivalent basic electrical units who wish to further their skills by gaining an accreditation to design stand-alone power systems (not grid-connected photovoltaic systems). The delivery mode of this course is designed for busy professionals who do not have the time to attend lengthy face-to-face courses to expand their knowledge and skills: the fully flexible web-based format of the course allows students to complete the theory in their own time with ongoing tutor support.

The course is nominally 120 hours of training, including the online assessments and design task, but students may take more or less time to complete the course. Courses are valid for twelve (12) months. Extension fees apply from the date of expiry, and the maximum extension permitted is six (6) months from the date of expiry.

GSES has a team of tutors who mark the online work and as necessary supply feedback or additional technical information to the students. GSES’s tutors are also available to be contacted by phone during business hours or email.

As a registered training organisation (RTO) GSES complies with the Standards set out by the regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), for Vocational Education Training (VET).

GSES will inform students within 30 days of any changes to services provided to them. This includes any changes to education and support services, any change in the RTO ownership or to third party arrangements.

GSES maintains an adult workplace. We do not countenance any behaviour that is contrary to safe work practice. We do not countenance inappropriate language in all forms of communication. GSES asks that all persons treat others with respect.

Cheating will not be tolerated. If detected, sanctions may be implemented at the discretion of GSES. Students are required to ensure that all responses and/or work they submit is their own work. Any referenced material should be annotated as to its origin. Sanctions may be implemented at the discretion of GSES if plagiarism or fraud is detected, including revocation of certification.

All GSES course participants have the right to appeal the results they obtain in assessments and examinations. The appeal should be sent in writing to the RTO Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who will review the result and respond in writing. GSES may use mediation and conciliation to resolve the complaint. Students also have the right to engage a suitably qualified independent assessor.

Cancellation of online training courses will be subject to the following conditions:

• If the student’s Learning, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) levels are determined by GSES to be below the standard required to complete the coursework successfully, and the student has not yet submitted coursework for assessment, GSES may offer a full refund of the online course material and practical training component. If the student then opts to continue with the course, the standard cancellation and refund policy applies.
• Cancellation of online training courses made within fourteen (14) days of the date of payment AND before the online course has been accessed: the student will receive a full refund of the online course payment.
• Cancellation of online training courses made within fourteen (14) days of the date of payment AND after the online course has been accessed AND before any coursework has been submitted for assessment: the student will receive a refund of the online course payment less a cancellation fee of $440, unless the value of the course is lower than this, in which case the student will receive no refund.
• Cancellation more than fourteen (14) days after the date of payment OR after the first coursework is submitted for assessment (whichever occurs first): the student will receive no refund.
• All course refunds are exclusive of the price of the printed course publication (if chosen) as advertised at the time of enrolment, unless the publication is returned to GSES in an undamaged and unused condition. GSES reserves the right to refuse a refund of the publication on the basis that goods are damaged or have been used prior to return.

The cost of an online training course is inclusive of the Practical Training Component (if applicable), as are course refunds.

RPL for some components of the following Units of Competency have been applied to the GCPV Accredited course variant:

• UEERE0061 – Design grid-connected photovoltaic power supply systems
• UEERE0022, UEENEEK125A, UEENEEK025C, or UEENEEK025B – Solve basic problems in photovoltaic energy apparatus and systems
• UEERE0011, UEENEEK135A, UEENEEK035C, or UEENEEK035B – Design grid-connected photovoltaic power supply systems

By providing evidence of their completion of these units, students are granted this RPL automatically at no cost, and do not need to apply separately for RPL based on the above units if they have enrolled in the GCPV Accredited variant.

In addition to the course adjustments for the GCPV Accredited course variant, RPL for some components of the following Units of Competency have been applied to the Fast Track course variant:

• UEERE0060 – Design grid-connected battery storage systems
• UEERE5001 – Design battery storage systems for grid-connected photovoltaic systems

By providing evidence of their completion of these units, students are granted this RPL automatically at no cost, and do not need to apply separately for RPL based on the above units if they have enrolled in the Fast Track variant.