Photovoltaic System Design & Installation - Online

85 Hours/17 week course

NABCEP Continuing Education #1208-18 (60 Hours)

This online course will provide the student technician with the fundamental knowledge of photovoltaic system design and installation. This course will be suitable for a supervised, entry level position with a dealer/installer or other photovoltaic industry company. Student technicians will learn the practical design criteria, installation guidelines, safety issues, maintenance, and legal considerations of photovoltaic systems.  85 hours/17 weeks.  Instructor mentored. 

The essential training objective of this course is to provide the entry level photovoltaic installer/technician with fundamental technical knowledge on photovoltaics in order that the technician may acquire and advance in design, installation and servicing responsibilities as the market for photovoltaic power systems progresses.

Upon completion of this course, the student technician should be able to:

- Recognize the various types of photovoltaic systems and components currently in use.
- Demonstrate safe working practices.
- Properly design and size residential photovoltaic power systems.
- Assist in the planning and installation of photovoltaic arrays and components.
- Understand the types of codes and standards that apply to the proper installation of photovoltaic systems.
- Understand the types of permits, warranties, and the customer relations required for completion of the overall solar project.
- Assist in the servicing of common photovoltaic systems.
- Improve the quality of installations.

A basic understanding of AC and DC electricity is necessary in order to fully comprehend photovoltaic power systems. Basic industrial math skills, including arithmetic and basic mathematics, metric measurements, and calculator fundamentals are also recommended.

Curriculum:

• Lesson 1: Introduction to Photovoltaic Systems
• Lesson 2: Capturing the Sun
• Lesson 3: Solar Site Evaluation
• Lesson 4: Photovoltaic System Components
• Lesson 5: PV Module Fundamentals
• Lesson 6: PV Battery System Design
• Lesson 7: PV Controller System Design
• Lesson 8: PV Inverter System Design
• Lesson 9: Photovoltaic System Sizing
• Lesson 10: Installation of Photovoltaic Systems
• Lesson 11: Photovoltaic System Electrical Integration
• Lesson 12: Utility-Interactive Systems
• Lesson 13: Permitting and Inspection
• Lesson 14: PV System Maintenance and Performance Analysis
• Lesson 15: Economic Analysis
• Final Exam
• Survey

Required materials

Internet Explorer or other equivalent browser and internet connection is all that are required to take this course.  You should have some experience and familiarity with navigating and using the internet as an information and communication resource, knowing how to download files, attach document files to e-mail, use word processing software are necessary skills to achieving academic success in an online course environment.

Photovoltaic System Design & Installation Course includes text book: PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS by Jim Dunlap in partnership with National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee. A comprehensive CD-ROM is included.

Instructors

Roger Coghlan is president of Sun Pirate, Inc., a California Solar Contracting business operating in the North San Francisco Bay Area since 1981. He has a B.A. degree in Environmental Studies and Planning, with a Certificate in Energy Management and Design from Sonoma State University. He has developed the curriculum and is the instructor for FUNDAMENTALS OF SOLAR WATER HEATING, and PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM DESIGN & INSTALLATION on-line courses for the on the job renewable energy industry employee.

General Information

Renewable Energy Technician courses are designed to follow the Task Analyses developed by committees of subject matter experts and adopted by North American Board of Energy Practitioners and in accordance with Interstate Renewable Energy Council/ IPSQ Standard 01021