The Government of India has set an ambitious target of 100 gigawatts of solar capacity in the country by the year 2022, out of which 40 gigawatts are to be installed on rooftops. As on July 2015, the total installed solar capacity in India was just over 4.1 gigawatts, while under 99 megawatts (i.e. 0.099 gigawatts) were installed on rooftops.

Rooftop solar systems offer tremendous advantages such as lower transmission and distribution losses, lower investment amounts, lesser number of clearances, public participation and higher employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

One of the most critical component of aggressive rooftop solar deployment is the availability of highly skilled and qualified installers. It is estimated that India will need approximately 10,00,000 solar technicians by 2022 to meet its targets.

The National Certification Programme for Rooftop Solar Photovoltaic Installer (this “Certification Programme”) is framed keeping this background in mind.