Solar PV Installation and Design Class covers fundamentals in design, installation, and evaluation of residential and commercial solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The course curriculum is based on standards set by the IREC.
The solar PV training includes the use of various tools and techniques, solar electric component operation and connection, system design and sizing, standard requirements and practices. The solar photovoltaic panels installation and design course guides students from PV system fundamentals to advanced mechanical and electrical concepts in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
Basic computer skills; familiarity with equations, fractions and algebra; ability to safely lift 50 lbs.
Our solar training classes are for absolute beginners and seasoned veterans: plumbers, HVAC/R professionals, electricians, homebuilders/architects, contractors, engineers or product wholesalers/resellers.
Topics covered in Solar PV Installation and Design Class:- Grid-Tied PV System Design & Estimation
- Rooftop Mounting Installation
- Ballasted Roof mount installation (Learn more)
- Pole-mount installation (Learn more)
- Economic, Financial & Regulatory Considerations
- Electrical Component Selection and Functions
- Customer Site Evaluation
- Quick Mount PV (Learn more)
- Oatey Flashing (Learn more)
- Pro Solar Railing (Learn more)
- Unirac Railing (Learn more)
- Enphase Microinverters with web monitoring (Learn more)
- Sunny-Boy Inverters (Learn more)
- Sizing and Troubleshooting
Each day the training begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. The morning session is 4 hours. There is a lunch break from noon to 12:30 p.m. The afternoon session continues for 4 hours, ending at 5:00 p.m. Each day there are 8 hours of instruction, totaling 40 hours of professional training over the five-day course.
PV Installation & Design Class - DAY 1
- Introduction to Solar Energy and PV Systems
- Overview of Solar Industry
- PV Systems Grid-Tie and Off-grid
- Electricity Basics
- Power, Energy and Electricity
- Electricity Arithmetic
- PV cells, modules and arrays
- All about solar cells and modules
- Modules specifications: Watts, Voc, Isc, Vnominal
- PV IV curves, Series and parallel array circuits
- System Components and Configurations
- Solar panels, inverters, mounting
- Solar Energy Fundamentals
- Sun – earth relationship,sun,
- path
- PV System Sizing
- Electrical Integration
- Safety of DC and AC Power
- The main electrical components
- Wire sizing, specifications and rating DC and AC
- Utility Integration
- Breaker sizing and the 120 Percent Rule
- Utility and code regulations
- Site factors affect performance
- Inverters
- Operation and Efficiency
- Model and size, Specifications
- Online sizing and performance tools
- Mechanical Integration
- Mounting Systems Options for Roof and Ground
- Roof loading Performance issues
- I/V curves
- Sizing the PV System, using manual and online tools
- Economic Analysis
- System Cost
- Payback/ROI
- Solar Site Survey
- The elements of site survey
- Hands-on Lab: Site analysis. Roof measurement and Site
- Worksheet
- Hands-on Training
- Energy and the Economy
- SREC
- The Solar Industry
- Project Financials: Rebates, Tax Credits, Financing
- Know the Market for PV
- Review
- Exam
- Evaluation
*NABCEP ENTRY LEVEL EXAM* - Optional
*All students are eligible to sit for the NABCEP Entry Level Exam after completing the 5-Day Entry Level Solar PV Design and Installation Course*
