School of Real Estate and Construction Home Inspection Diploma Arizona Specialized Short Course Home Inspection Apprenticeship Home Inspection Exam Preparation Solar Power and Technology Apply Now

Solar Power: Photovoltaic Installer
PV 102

Students: login for solar power and technology course materials

Course Length:
5 weeks

Prerequisites:
PV 101

Textbooks and Materials:
Photovoltaic Systems, Jim Dunlop, American Technical Publishers, Inc; 2009

Course Description:
This course serves as part two of the two-course program that provides students with basic knowledge of photovoltaic systems. In this course students pick up where they left off in PV 101.

We move from PV modules and examine the PV system as a whole. Students compare the features and benefits of system designs and mounting techniques. Students learn about the purpose and operation of main electrical components and identify specifications of inverters, charge controllers, ground fault controllers and battery banks. Students analyze typical system loads and power outputs and learn to calculate PV system size. Students study the mechanical and electrical design of common PV systems and learn to analyze performance and troubleshoot common problems.

Completion of this course will give students a substantial knowledge base to proceed with the NABCEP certification process.

Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe most common solar module mounting techniques.
• Compare features and benefits of different solar mounting techniques.
• Explain the relationship between solar module cell temperature and environmental conditions.
• Describe the purpose and operation of main electrical BOS components.
• Identify key specifications of main electrical BOS components.
• Illustrate the interaction of typical loads with IV curve.
• Analyze load demand for stand-alone and grid interactive service.
• Determine series/parallel PV array arrangement based on module and inverter specification.
• Determine voltage drop between major components.
• Describe the mechanical loads on a PV array.
• Describe angular effects on the irradiance of solar array.
• Describe typical system design errors.
• Associate performance problems with typical causes.
• List equipment needed for typical system performance analysis.
• Compare actual system power output to expected output.
• Identify typical locations for electrical/mechanical failure.

Course Outline:

Unit 1: PV system components. Learning the function and operation of main electrical components.

Unit 2: PV system sizing. Estimating load demand and calculating peak power output. How to calculate array and inverter size for grid-connected and stand alone systems.

Unit 3: PV system electrical design. Selecting appropriate components for specific system requirements. How to calculate voltage drop between major components.

Unit 4: PV system mechanical design. Pros and cons of ground, roof, and pole systems. Describing the mechanical loads on a PV array. Understanding the relationship between row spacing of tilted modules and sun angle.

Unit 5: PV system performance analysis and troubleshooting. Looking at common design errors. Typical system issues and reasons for less power output than expected. Common locations for electrical and mechanical failure.

Instructor Chat Hours:
Determined by instructor during each course session.

Enroll now on line, or download the enrollment agreement.