The Engineering Council of Sri Lanka (ECSL) has gazetted new regulations to formally regulate the Solar Power Systems Technicians profession, introducing mandatory vocational qualifications for those engaged in the sector.

Under the new regulations, a minimum NVQ Level 3 qualification in the relevant field will be required for individuals working as solar energy technicians from January 1, 2028, to December 31, 2029.

From January 1, 2030, technicians will be required to possess at least an NVQ Level 4 qualification in Solar Power Technology to engage in related activities.

Solar energy technicians will also be required to register with the Engineering Council of Sri Lanka as engineering technicians.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) have launched a programme to train 5,000 solar energy technicians and 100 instructors and inspectors in preparation for the new requirements.

Sri Lanka is required to add approximately 600 megawatts of solar power capacity annually to the national grid to achieve its target of generating 70% of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2030.

More than 1,000 companies have already obtained licences from the SLSEA to import and install solar power systems.

Although approximately 10,000 people are currently employed in the solar power industry, the majority reportedly do not hold recognised professional qualifications in solar technology.

Authorities say around 5,000 qualified solar technicians will need to be trained annually to support the planned installation of approximately 600MW of solar capacity each year.

However, the number of training centres equipped to provide solar technology training remains limited, while the country also faces a shortage of qualified instructors in the field.

The SLSEA and PUCSL have therefore launched the technician and instructor training programme to address the shortage.
A total of 1,500 solar technicians have already been trained under the programme.

A special initiative is currently being implemented to award NVQ Level 3 qualifications through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme to eligible trained technicians.

Under the initiative, solar technicians with more than two years of experience in the field will be able to obtain the NVQ qualification free of charge.