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 Technology: Certification Preparation
PV-101

Students: login for solar power and technology course materials

Course Length:
5 weeks

Prerequisites:
None

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

Course Description:
This course serves as part one of a two-course program that provides students with basic knowledge of photovoltaic systems. In this course students are introduced to solar technology, its benefits and many applications. Participants examine the history of photovoltaics and gain a sense for where the PV industry is headed. The course starts with basic safety, including how to avoid potential accidents and how to create a safe work environment as well as the use of protective equipment. Students learn the fundamentals of electricity and solar energy, including how to calculate simple circuit values and predict solar position using solar path diagrams. Upon completion of this course, students will have a thorough understanding of PV applications, working safety as it pertains to this field, basic electricity, and PV module fundamentals. Students will be prepared for success in part two: Entry Level PV 102: Solar Power: Photovoltaic Installer.

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

• Describe history of PV technology and industry.
• Describe markets and applications for PV.
• Describe types of PV systems and their features and benefits.
• Demonstrate an understanding of electrical and solar terminology.
• Identify safety hazards, practices and protective equipment used during PV system installation and maintenance.
• Define basic electrical terms.
• Describe the use of a digital multi-meter.
• Calculate simple circuit values.
• Define basic solar terms.
• Describe basic solar movement and effect of earth tilt.
• Predict solar position using solar path diagrams.
• Describe angular effects on the irradiance of solar array.
• Identify factors that reduce or enhance solar irradiation.
• Explain how solar cells convert sunlight into electric power.
• Label key points on an IV curve.
• Illustrate effect of series and parallel connections on IV curve.
• Define measurement conditions for solar cells and modules.

Course Outline:

Unit 1: PV markets and applications; How to work safely around operational and non-operational PV systems.

Unit 2: Basics of electricity; Electricity terminology; Using a digital multi-meter. How to calculate simple circuit values.

Unit 3: Solar energy fundamentals. Solar terminology. Describing solar movement and earth tilt. Predicting solar position.

Unit 4: PV module fundamentals. How sunlight is converted to usable power. Understanding module output values.

Unit 5: Computing electrical output and comparing characteristics of various module technologies.

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

Enroll now on line, or download the enrollment agreement.