Our support and guidance documents will help you ensure the works you carry out under the Domestic Solar PV Scheme meet the required SEAI Standards.

The domestic SPV Scheme has two types of registered professionals. If you are applying to register on the domestic solar PV scheme you can register as a Company, register as an Installer or register as both. The general differences between both are laid out below, please familiarise yourself with the roles and determine which best suits your requirements before proceeding.

A registered solar PV company (a limited company or sole trader) is the entity that has the contract with the homeowner. A homeowner selects their solar PV company and enters into a contract with them to carry out the installation of a solar PV system. The company and the homeowner agree the terms of the contract including cost, payment terms, timelines, deliverables etc. It is the Company name that appears on the SEAI website search tool that is used by homeowners. The company name also appears on the application portal when homeowners are selecting their chosen solar PV company.

This is person that carries out the physical installation of the solar PV system for the homeowner. This installer signs the Declaration of Works for the applicant. A registered installer to the Solar PV Scheme is the only person who is allowed to declare that the solar PV installation meets the scheme requirements. When you register as an Installer, you are essentially only engaged by a company to install solar PV. You will not be searchable by a homeowner or selectable by a homeowner.

You can also register as both a Company and an Installer. An example of this scenario is where you are a Registered Electrical Contractor that wants to get involved in Solar PV grant work. You must register as a solar PV company so that homeowners can find you and select you and you must also then register as an Installer so that you can physically install the solar PV system and sign the Declaration of Works. You can apply for and register for both a Company & an Installer at the same time. One does not have to precede the other.

Please note:

  • Registration of a company and/or an installer is not complete until the monthly onboarding is complete.
  • All of the above is subject to meeting the registration requirements for both.
  • Depending on when you apply, it can take up to 5 weeks from when we receive all the correct documentation for registration. Please build this timeline into your set up plan.
  • If in doubt, please contact the solar PV team before progressing with your registration at solarpv@seai.ie
  • If you intend to register as a Non Domestic Solar PV company or installer, this will need to be done separately.

Quality of Service

The quality-of-service delivery is central to the reputation and effectiveness of all home energy efficient works supported by SEAI. We have put together several supports and guidance documents that will help you complete your work to the required standard. Following these guidelines will benefit your reputation and help grow your business.

Part of your role is to support the Homeowner in making the right decisions in upgrading their home. This includes explaining and agreeing the proposed works, providing a quote for works and agreeing a contract between Homeowner and Contractor.

Please note, registered Contractors can offer the Homeowner the cost of works net of the grant amount. To do this, the Contractor can ask the Homeowner to nominate the Contractor's preferred bank account with bank details on the SEAI Request for Payment form.

Support and Guidance Documents

The DTSS details the technical requirements for the SEAI residential Programmes. A Contractor carrying out works for these Programmes must have the minimum levels of competency and commit to supplying materials and equipment and to perform the works to the defined requirements. The DTSS is based on S.R. 54:2014/A2:2022 - Code of Practice for the energy efficient retrofit of dwellings.

The Quality Assurance and Development Programme (QADP) document outlines the key elements and processes of the Quality Assurance and Development Programme (QADP) for the Solar PV Scheme which operates under the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS). All registered Companies must ensure that they and their operators are fully familiar with the Quality Assurance and Development Programme set in this document.

This document provides guidance on the photographic evidence required as part of a Desktop Audit to assist with the verification of the installation of works.

It is important to note that if you do not complete the works to the standards in the documents above, you will receive a request to complete reworks to bring the works to the specified SEAI standard. If you wish to appeal an Inspector's decision you must contact the inspections team promptly. You have two weeks to appeal a decision.

Quality Management Systems

All contractors working on SEAI programmes are required to have a Quality Management System in place.

An effective Quality Management System will help contractors manage grant works from start to finish resulting in faster payments, better compliance, a reduction in the costs associated with remedial works and higher levels of customer satisfaction.

SEAI recently held an in-depth webinar on the fundamentals of Quality Management Systems. The webinar briefed contractors on:

  • General quality management frameworks
  • Management of grant installations
  • Quality assurance checks
  • Documentation requirements
  • Quality management tools and templates

Below you will find some useful quality management resources including a copy of the webinar recording and presentation, along with a quality management template. It is highly recommended that all nominated personnel, your quality manager and any staff involved in processing grant-related works familiarise themselves with these resources.

Resources

Register with SEAI (opens in a new tab)

Technical Guidance

For any technical advice or queries, please contact our technical team.

You can contact them on 012776977 or solarpv@seaiauditing.ie