By end of this course, trainees will be able to:

• An introduction to solar radiation, photovoltaic technologies and systems
• An overview of system types and components
• Identify the engineering challenges during installation and operating a solar system.
• Identify and describe basic functions of different components of PV systems
• Understand features of solar PV system configurations and applications
• Describe the differences among various PV cell technologies
• Identify meters used with PV systems and key points of meter use and safety
• Define factors that impact the amount of peak sun hours reaching the array
• Identify tilt angle and orientation that provides maximum energy production
• Identify data required to size and design solar PV systems
• Identify common PV mounting options
• Identify the different types of inverter technologies
• Describe some installation tips and techniques for the different types of solar PV systems
• Determine the correct wiring configuration of PV modules for a given application
• Perform basic overcurrent device sizing for DC and AC PV system circuits
• Identify potential jobsite hazards and opportunities for additional safety training
• Determine proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for PV installation and commissioning
• Install solar panels on rooftop using a roof model
• Perform solar inverter integration with existing house wiring using an electric circuit simulation
• Know different types of battery technology available in the market
• Understand how to maintain battery banks for optimal life span
• Understand the steps required for solar system installation
• Estimate the lifetime of PV system

This course program is designed for those who intend to pursue a professional career in solar PV system design and installation such as solar installers, contractors, project managers, engineers, electricians, quality inspectors, technical support crew and customer service professionals in the solar energy industry.

Module-1: Introduction to Solar PV Systems:

ü  Global and regional PV demand and growth trends

ü  Solar industry employment trends and options

ü  Cell types and other components

ü  Basic functions of different components of PV systems

ü  Applications of the PV system configurations: PV-direct, stand-alone, grid-direct, multimode

ü  Component interaction and power flow

ü  Volts, amps, amp-hours, watts, watt-hours, and kilowatt-hours; perform power and energy calculations

ü  Power, energy, and demand / production curves

Module-2: Functional Description of PV System Components

ü  Define utility bill terminology

ü  Describe PV metering options

ü  Differences among various PV cell technologies

ü  Key components of a PV module and choose important criteria from module specification sheets

ü  Apply different temperature and irradiance measurements to voltage and current values

ü  Basic functioning of bypass diodes

Module-3: Operational Site Factors

ü  Meters used with PV systems and key points of meter use and safety

ü  Basic procedures for testing an operating PV system

ü  Characteristics of series and parallel circuits, and system compatibility

ü  Azimuth and altitude angle of the sun using a sun chart

ü  Factors that impact the amount of peak sun hours reaching the array

ü  Shading losses to estimated AC energy production

ü  Tilt angle and orientation that provides maximum energy production

Module-4: Layout

ü  Remote site assessment tools used

ü  Factors limiting system size

ü  Data required to size and design a grid-direct PV system

ü  Identify common PV mounting options

ü  Assess PV array layout options

ü  Function of the following on a three-line diagram of a grid-direct PV system: equipment grounding, ungrounded and grounded conductors and electrodes

Module-5: Invertors

ü  Function of an inverter, and the important information used to specify a grid-direct inverter

ü  The different types of inverter technologies and list their advantages and disadvantages

ü  Installation tips and techniques for the different types of power electronics

ü  System loss factors

ü  Charts for your location to aid in sizing estimates

ü  Why temperature is an important system design consideration

Module-6: Configuration and Wiring

ü  DC-to-AC power ratio and how it applies to system design;

ü  Criteria for different power electronics options in PV systems

ü  Wiring configuration of PV modules and power electronics for a given application

ü  Characteristics of conductor materials and insulations

ü  Terminology for the various circuits in PV systems

ü  Determine maximum current for PV system circuits

ü  Perform basic overcurrent device sizing for DC and AC PV system circuits

Module-7: Commissioning Tests & Safety

ü  Potential jobsite hazards and prevention/mitigation methods

ü  Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for PV installation and commissioning tasks

ü  Describe lock-out / tag-out procedures

ü  Basic commissioning tests to be completed after a system is installed

Module-8: Solar Field and Factory Visits

Practical workshop in specialized solar systems including (but not limited) to the following:

·         PV Solar Panel Factory Tour:

o   Overview devices for production

o   Tests Electroluminance (EL) and all other tests during production

o   Presentation by the factory management including Packing & Warehousing division

·         Visit to Solar Field Site:

o   Overview of solar systems and interaction with electrical utilities

o   Identification of solar systems components – Functional description

o   Understand technical challenges

o   Estimate potentials for applying the layouts/architects to the trainee’s work environment