In short. Qualisol CESI covers individual solar water heaters with up to 20 m² of collectors, while Combi adds combined solar systems and Collectif adds collective solar water heaters.
Definition: Qualisol is Qualit’EnR’s qualification family for solar thermal installers. In its August 2026 qualification guide, CESI covers individual solar water heaters, Combi adds combined solar heating systems, and Collectif adds collective solar water heaters; both Combi and Collectif include the CESI scope.
Key facts
- Qualit’EnR’s qualification guide sets the individual solar water heater scope at a collector surface area of 20 m² or less.
- France Rénov’s solar heating page defines a combined solar system as providing both space heating and domestic hot water.
- Qualit’EnR’s September 2026 qualification rules define Collectif as solar domestic hot water production in collective housing in France.
Which installations does each module cover?
The activity table in Qualit’EnR’s guide maps the qualifications as follows. CESI abbreviates the French term chauffe-eau solaire individuel, meaning individual solar water heater.
| Qualification | Installation scope |
|---|---|
| Qualisol CESI | Individual solar water heaters with collector area ≤ 20 m². |
| Qualisol Combi | The CESI scope plus combined solar systems. |
| Qualisol Collectif | The CESI scope plus collective solar water heaters. |
A combined solar system, abbreviated SSC from système solaire combiné, supplies space heating and domestic hot water. France Rénov’s description explains that roof-mounted collectors recover solar heat and a heat-transfer fluid supplies heat for those uses. The system requires backup when sunshine is insufficient.
Does Collectif cover combined solar space heating?
The published Collectif scope concerns domestic hot water. Qualit’EnR’s rules, section 7.3.1, specify systems producing domestic hot water from solar thermal collectors in collective housing. Section 7.2.1 assigns combined solar systems in housing to Combi.
Both sections explicitly include the CESI scope. The listed overlap is therefore individual solar water heating; the activity table assigns combined systems to Combi and collective water heaters to Collectif.
How can a qualification claim be checked?
As of October 2026, France Rénov’s company-check form accepts a business name or a French company identifier, SIREN or SIRET. It also asks for the date on which certification should be checked, giving an invoice date as an example. The direct lookup address is:
https://france-renov.gouv.fr/annuaire-rge/identifier
For an installer’s website, Qualit’EnR’s usage rules, section 3.1.1, permit logos corresponding to qualifications obtained and years covered by the certificates. Logo use runs from receipt of the certificate to its expiry. Section 2.2 identifies the certificate as proof of the company’s qualification and specifies that it shows the covered period.
Related terms
- Which QualiPV credentials cover roof work and electrical work?
- Which QualiPAC qualification covers a heat pump or thermodynamic water heater?
FAQ
Does the CESI limit include exactly 20 m²?
Yes. Section 7.1.1 of Qualit’EnR’s rules says “inférieure ou égale à 20 m²”, meaning less than or equal to 20 m² of collector area.
Can I use a Combi-qualified installer for an individual solar water heater?
The Combi scope includes CESI. The same rules explicitly extend Collectif to CESI as well.
How do I check a company for a particular project date?
Enter its name, SIREN or SIRET in France Rénov’s company-check form and supply the relevant date. The form expressly supports a date-based check.
Sources
- Qualit’EnR, "Les qualifications", August 2026
- Qualit’EnR, "Nomenclature et règlement d’usage", September 2026
- France Rénov’, "Le chauffage solaire", undated
- France Rénov’, "Identifier les domaines de travaux d’une entreprise", undated
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