Accredited Installer Information

Installers of SWH Systems who have received the appropriate training may apply to be Registered by the Solar Association on its website. These are installers that the Solar Association is satisfied meet the installation standards expected by current best practice and is necessary for proper compliance to the NZ Building Code.

Systems are to be installed to meet the requirements of the NZ Building Code by complying with standard AS/NZS3500.4 and the Solar Association "Code of Practice for the Manufacture and Installation of SWH Systems in NZ".

Solar Water Heating System Installer Training Information

The Solar Association has established with the Plumbers ITO a NZQA Unit Standard 24305 - Install, test, commission and maintain SWH systems (see attachment below) for solar water heating specifiers, retailers, installers and installation managers. The course is based on a distance learning module plus a weekend hands on training.

Courses are provided by Wintec in Hamilton, CPIT in Christchurch, Southern Institute of Technology in Invercargill and Christchurch, and Weltec in Wellington.

The Plumbing Gasfitting and Drain laying Industry training organisation has developed a more advanced National Certificate in Solar Water Heating Installation (for plumbers) and installation Management (for non plumbers). This course is offered by the Southern Institute of Technology. 

Unit Standards Covered:

Unit 25407
Demonstrate knowledge of solar water heating safety, system types and applications, regulatory compliance and design

• Explain the safety considerations for the installation and operation of solar hot water systems
• Explain regulatory considerations for the installation of solar hot water systems
• Describe reference standards and codes available for the installation of solar hot water systems
• Demonstrate knowledge of solar hot water system types and applications
• Explain solar hot water system supplementary heating options
• Explain solar water heating components and operation
• Explain solar water heating valves and piping
• Explain solar water heating system design considerations
• Demonstrate knowledge of solar water heating system troubleshooting

Unit 25408 - Manage installation and commissioning of a solar hot water heating system

• Assess and confirm system design suitability for a solar hot water system
• Organize and prepare pre-installation documentation
• Plan solar hot water system installation
• Manage solar hot water system installation
• Manage testing and commissioning of a solar hot water system
• Train solar hot water system users
• Handover commissioned solar hot water systems.

Unit 25409

Select and specify solar hot water systems

• Identify customer requirements for solar hot water systems
• Select and specify solar hot water systems
• Predict performance for solar hot water systems
• Explain selected solar hot water system to client

Unit 24305 (Licensed Plumbers)
Plum 103 (Non Plumbers)
Install, test, commission and maintain solar water heating systems

• Demonstrate knowledge of solar water heating systems
• Prepare for installation of solar water heating systems
• Install, commission, and test solar water heating systems
• Maintain solar water heating systems
• Work safely and with care
• Demonstrate knowledge of regulatory requirements, selection of methods and materials, and underpinning concepts and principles, as applied to the installation, commissioning, testing, and maintenance of solar water heating systems

Unit 11631
Demonstrate knowledge of the legal system in New Zealand

• Explain the nature of law
• Explain classifications of law
• Describe the sources of New Zealand law
• Describe the law made by the legislative branch of government, the process by which it is made, and its effect
• Describe the law made by the administrative branch of government and the process by which it is made
• Describe the law made by the judicial branch of government and the process by which it is made and reported

Unit 11633
Apply the law of contract to a given fact situation

• Define a contract
• Apply the law relating to the formation of a contract
• Apply the law which may invalidate a contract or render it unenforceable
• Apply the law of discharge of contract
• Apply the law of contractual remedies

Further Accreditation
People holding a current plumbers licence as issued under the Plumbers Gasfitters and Drainlayers Act 2006 may also wish to achieve the National Certificate in Solar Water Heating (Management, Selection and Specification) (Level 5) upon completion of Unit Standards 15757, 21884, and either of 25282 or 25288. 

For Registered and Craftsman Plumbers who do not hold units 21884 and 25282 / 25288 there is an RPL process (recognition of prior learning) for assessment of these units.