GREEN Solar Academy
GREEN Solar Academy is a South Africa-headquartered training provider that delivers accredited solar PV installation and design courses across Africa, serving aspiring installers, qualified electricians, corporate workforces, and unemployed youth through in-person academies, e-learning, and certification exams.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersGauteng, South Africa
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What GREEN Solar Academy does
GREEN Solar Academy (PTY) Ltd is a South Africa-headquartered private training provider that delivers practical solar photovoltaic (PV) installation and design education across Africa. The academy operates physical training centres in five South African cities (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban/Ballito, Port Elizabeth, and Pretoria) plus regional academies in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, and Ghana, serving a pipeline of aspiring solar installers, qualified electricians, corporate workforces, and unemployed youth. Its flagship offering, SuperSolarSchool, is a five-day course that prepares candidates for the SAPVIA PV GreenCard Assessment, and it sits inside a modular curriculum structured across Beginner, Installer, and Specialist pathways, accredited by the German Solar Energy Society (DGS e.V.) and recognised by ECSA and SAIEE for CPD points.
The platform portfolio spans core in-person courses (SuperSolarSchool, PV Mounter, Commercial PV Design, Compliance for PV Systems, PV System O&M, Solar Sales Expert, Financing of PV Systems), self-paced e-learning (Principles of PV Systems, PV Off-Grid Technician), online examinations (GREEN PV Installer and Designer Exams), and the SAPVIA PV GreenCard Assessment. Supporting assets include the GREENetwork alumni community (described as Africa's largest PV installer network), partnerships with PV*SOL (Valentin Software) for design software distribution, and a Training of Trainers programme that licenses third parties to operate GREEN-branded academies internationally.
Commercially, GREEN monetises through per-course tuition fees (ranging from ~R430 for online PD hours up to ~R13,500 for SuperSolarSchool in Windhoek), customised enterprise staff-training contracts with mining, chemical, municipal, and utility clients (Sibanye-Stillwater, Sasol, City of Tshwane, Jwaneng Mine, Botswana Power Corporation), examination and certification fees, and a low-margin recurring tail from e-learning and online exams. Customer acquisition relies on a sales-led model combining direct enquiry (led by Tsakani Mashila), newsletter marketing, industry event presence, content/SEO via the solar-training.org domain, and B2B outreach to corporate training buyers. Since 2013, the academy and its predecessor (maxx-solar academy) have trained nearly 10,000 individuals and produced more than 1,200 PV GreenCard-accredited installers.
GREEN Solar Academy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- GREEN Solar Academy
- Legal name
- GREEN Solar Academy PTY Ltd.
- Website
- https://solar-training.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- GREEN Solar Academy is a South Africa-headquartered training provider that delivers accredited solar PV installation and design courses across Africa, serving aspiring installers, qualified electricians, corporate workforces, and unemployed youth through in-person academies, e-learning, and certification exams.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
GREEN Solar Academy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Solar PV Training & Certification
- NAICS
- Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS) (EUAMABAO)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Renewable Energy Electrical (Solar PV, Wind, Storage) (EDAOABAI), Solar Quality, Testing, Certification & Standards (Lab Testing, Inspections, Compliance) (EUAMABAN)
Keywords
Where GREEN Solar Academy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Gauteng
- HQ country
- South Africa
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices9 records
Markets served
GREEN Solar Academy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Course Tuition Fees: Revenue generated from in-person training courses including SuperSolarSchool (5-day), PV Mounter (2-day), Commercial PV Design (3-day), Compliance for PV Systems (1-day), and various other solar training programs. Prices vary by course duration and location.
- Online E-Learning: Revenue from online courses including Principles of PV Systems (32 PD hours) and PV Off-Grid Technician, offered as self-paced e-learning options for remote participants.
- Examination and Certification Fees: Fees for GREEN PV Installer Exam and GREEN PV Designer Exam, as well as SAPVIA PV GreenCard Assessment conducted at assessment centres.
- Corporate Staff Training: Customised training programs for corporate clients including municipalities, mining companies, and enterprises seeking to upskill technical staff in solar PV installation and compliance.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Solar 101 - 2-day starter course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | PV Mounter - 2-day hands-on installation course |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | SuperSolarSchool - 5-day flagship training |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Commercial PV Design - 3-day advanced course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Compliance for PV Systems - 1-day advanced course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | PV System O&M - 1-day specialist course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Sales Expert - 1-day advanced course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Financing of PV Systems - 1-day advanced course |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | GREEN PV Installer Exam |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | GREEN PV Designer Exam |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | SAPVIA PV GreenCard Assessment |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Solar Installer Turbo - 5-day package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | PV*SOL Live Webinar |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Botswana SuperSolarSchool |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Botswana PV Mounter |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Botswana Sunrise |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Zimbabwe 1-Day PV Solar Basics |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Zimbabwe 1-Day PV Mounter |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Namibia SuperSolarSchool |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Principles of PV Systems e-Learning |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
GREEN Solar Academy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
GREEN Solar Academy delivers accredited solar photovoltaic (PV) training courses across Africa, both in-person at physical academies and online via e-learning. Its flagship SuperSolarSchool is a 5-day programme that prepares participants for the SAPVIA PV GreenCard installer qualification, supported by a modular curriculum spanning beginner, installer, and specialist pathways. The academy also offers corporate staff training, certification exams, and an alumni network (GREENetwork) that connects graduates with industry.
Product overview
GREEN Solar Academy is a training organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of solar PV training courses and related services across Africa. The core offering centers on SuperSolarSchool, a 5-day flagship programme that serves as the primary pathway to the SAPVIA PV GreenCard qualification. The academy provides structured learning pathways across three certification levels: Beginner Path (Solar 101, PV Mounter), Installer Path (SuperSolarSchool, PV GreenCard Assessment), and Specialist Path (Commercial PV Design, Compliance for PV Systems, PV System O&M, Solar Sales Expert, Financing of PV Systems). Supporting offerings include GREEN Online Examinations (PV Installer and PV Designer), eLearning courses (Principles of PV Systems, PV Off-Grid Technician), and the GREENetwork alumni network. The academy operates physical training locations in five South African cities (Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Ballito/Durban, Port Elizabeth) plus regional centres in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and other African countries, and is internationally accredited by the German Solar Energy Society (DGS e.V.) and nationally accredited by ECSA and SAIEE.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- SuperSolarSchool
- PV Mounter
- Solar 101
- Commercial PV Design
- PV System Operation & Maintenance
- Compliance for PV Systems
- Solar Sales Expert
- Financing of PV Systems
- Sunrise
- PV*SOL Live Webinar
- Solar Installer Turbo
- SAPVIA PV GreenCard Assessment
- GREEN Online Exam (PV Installer & PV Designer)
- Principles of PV Systems (eLearning)
- PV Off-Grid Technician (eLearning)
- Tailored / Corporate Staff Training
- Training of Trainers
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 10,000 individuals trained across South Africa and neighbouring countries since 2013
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use GREEN Solar Academy
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
GREEN Solar Academy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
GREEN Solar Academy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- German Solar Energy Society (DGS e.V.)coreGREEN Solar Academy is powered by German Solar Energy Society DGS e.V. Curriculum is developed in collaboration with DGS. Provides international accreditation for all GREEN courses. The DGS approach and methodology underpins GREEN's training philosophy since 2012.
- SAPVIA (South African PV Industry Association)coreGREEN is a SAPVIA member and operates official PV GreenCard Assessment Centres in Cape Town, Ballito, and Johannesburg. GREEN's SuperSolarSchool is the official SAPVIA-endorsed PV GreenCard preparation course. PV GreenCard is a voluntary quality assurance programme for PV installers.
- ECSA (Engineering Council of South Africa)coreGREEN courses are nationally accredited by ECSA, providing formal recognition of training quality and standards alignment for the engineering profession in South Africa.
- SAIEE (South African Institute of Electrical Engineers)coreGREEN courses are CPD-accredited by SAIEE. Participants can claim CPD points (up to 5 points for SuperSolarSchool) for professional development requirements.
- QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations)minorGREEN offers QCTO-accredited qualifications including RE Workshop Assistant and PV Installer Assistant programmes. Optional QCTO Working at Heights certificate available for PV Mounter participants in Gauteng.
- Technology Partners (Solar Equipment Manufacturers)coreGREEN works with multiple solar equipment manufacturers and distributors as technology partners. Companies including IBC Solar, Hellermann Tyton, Resolution Circle, Fronius, Victron, and others have contributed equipment to assessment centres and provide ongoing product knowledge integration into training. Partners also support with industry insights and product development updates.
- Youth Development OrganisationsminorGREEN partners with youth development organisations including KP Cares, YES for Youth, Life Choices, and Great North Business Incubator to deliver funded solar training programmes for unemployed youth and disadvantaged communities.
- Valentin Software (PV*SOL)coreGREEN is a distribution partner for PV*SOL design software. Provides trial access, CPD-accredited training, contextualised workshops with real South African case studies, alumni pricing, and technical onboarding support for the software.
- Academy Partners (Regional Franchises)coreGREEN operates through academy partners in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Angola, Mozambique, and Ghana. These partners deliver GREEN curriculum and certifications under licence, adapting content to local PV markets and standards while maintaining GREEN quality standards.
- GREENetwork (Alumni Network)coreAfrica's largest PV installer network connecting GREEN graduates with industry. Provides ongoing professional networking, industry updates, business development support, and a community ecosystem for solar professionals across Africa.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
GREEN Solar Academy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association): US national trade association for the solar industry, advocating for workforce development, training standards, and installer certification. Adjacent comparable to GREEN's positioning within SAPVIA's industry framework in South Africa.
- Solar Energy UK: UK industry association that promotes solar installation standards and runs training/membership programs for installers. Comparable to SAPVIA's role around GREEN as a national industry body that influences PV installer certification, market standards, and workforce development.
- German Solar Energy Society (DGS e.V.): Germany's leading solar industry society, providing training and curriculum guidance for solar professionals and acting as GREEN's content partner. Comparable as an industry body that develops solar training standards, though DGS is research/policy-oriented while GREEN is delivery-focused.
- Clean Energy Council (CEC) Australia: Australian peak industry body for clean energy that accredits solar installers through its accreditation program and develops training standards. Comparable to GREEN/SAPVIA's combined role of industry-body-endorsed accreditation and training provision in Australia, with a regulatory installer-quality mandate.
Direct peers
- Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA): US nonprofit delivering hands-on solar PV installer training, NABCEP exam preparation, and renewable energy courses. Comparable to GREEN as a practitioner-focused training organisation with workshop-based curriculum and industry-aligned certification pathways.
- NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners): US certification body for solar PV and energy storage professionals, offering board-certified credentials and accrediting training providers. Comparable to GREEN's role as a SAPVIA PV GreenCard Assessment Centre — both gate-keep industry certification pathways for installers.
- Solar Energy International (SEI): Colorado-based nonprofit offering PV design and installation training courses, professional certifications, and online programs. Comparable to GREEN as a vocational solar training provider serving both individual career-changers and corporate clients with accredited curriculum and hands-on workshop formats.
- Everblue Training Institute: US-based training provider offering NABCEP-aligned solar, energy audit, and weatherization certification programs for individuals and corporate teams. Comparable business model to GREEN: accredited curriculum, in-person + online delivery, exam prep, and B2B corporate upskilling.
- HeatSpring: Online learning platform offering NABCEP-approved PV, solar sales, and energy storage courses, plus live cohort-based training. Closely comparable to GREEN's e-learning arm (Principles of PV Systems, PV Off-Grid Technician) and certification-aligned curriculum approach.
Others
- Valentin Software (PV*SOL maker): Germany-based developer of PV*SOL solar design software, distributed in Africa by GREEN as a partner. Not a peer in training but a direct technology partner, useful as a reference for comparable software-led PV design ecosystem players.
Market position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
GREEN Solar Academy social profiles
Digital presenceGREEN Solar Academy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
GREEN Solar Academy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
GREEN Solar Academy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
GREEN Solar Academy subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
GREEN Solar Academy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
GREEN Solar Academy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about GREEN Solar Academy
What does GREEN Solar Academy do?
GREEN Solar Academy delivers accredited solar photovoltaic (PV) training courses across Africa, both in-person at physical academies and online via e-learning. Its flagship SuperSolarSchool is a 5-day programme that prepares participants for the SAPVIA PV GreenCard installer qualification, supported by a modular curriculum spanning beginner, installer, and specialist pathways. The academy also offers corporate staff training, certification exams, and an alumni network (GREENetwork) that connects graduates with industry.
Is GREEN Solar Academy a public or private company?
GREEN Solar Academy is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was GREEN Solar Academy founded?
GREEN Solar Academy was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is GREEN Solar Academy based?
GREEN Solar Academy is headquartered in Gauteng, South Africa, in the Africa region.
How does GREEN Solar Academy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Course Tuition Fees are the primary driver. The others are online E-Learning, examination and Certification Fees and corporate Staff Training.
Who are GREEN Solar Academy's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association), Solar Energy UK, German Solar Energy Society (DGS e.V.) and Clean Energy Council (CEC) Australia. Direct peers are Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners), Solar Energy International (SEI), Everblue Training Institute and HeatSpring. Valentin Software (PV*SOL maker) is listed as an others.
Does GREEN Solar Academy have an API?
No public API is recorded for GREEN Solar Academy.
What industry is GREEN Solar Academy in?
GREEN Solar Academy's product category is Solar PV Training & Certification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAO, Solar Workforce, Training & Safety Services (Installer Training, Certification, EHS), with a secondary code of EDAOABAI, Renewable Energy Electrical (Solar PV, Wind, Storage). Its NAICS code is 611430 and its SIC code is 8200.