PV100: Solar Design & Installation
Participants will learn the fundamental concepts required for working safely with PV systems, and will design residential-sized, code compliant, battery-less grid-tied and stand-alone systems.
This in-person workshop will provide an overview of the basic PV system applications. The goal of this session is to create a fundamental understanding of the core concepts necessary to work with both residential and commercial PV systems. Topics include: system components, site analysis, PV module criteria, mounting solutions, safety, and commissioning. Participants will learn the fundamentals of sizing a residential battery-less grid-tied system, wire sizing, over-current protection, and grounding. This session will also review fundamental design criteria for off-grid stand-alone systems including specifying batteries, controllers, and battery-based inverters.
Students leave being able to:
- Perform power and energy calculations.
- Perform a load analysis for off-grid and battery-less grid-tied systems.
- Implement electrical efficiency measures to reduce system size.
- Diagram an array and battery bank in series and parallel configurations.
- Obtain and apply module specifications.
- Determine module performance and array performance given various conditions.
- Determine the azimuth and altitude angle of the sun and evaluate shading potential.
- List the pros and cons of different mounting structures.
- Interpret and apply data from equipment specification sheets.
- Size a residential battery-less grid-tied system including the inverter, array, wiring and over-current protection.
- List the order of commissioning/decommissioning and the potential safety hazards of PV systems.
- Draw a block diagram and list the pros and cons of different system types.
- Identify the proper safety protocols for working with batteries.
- Define battery depth of discharge, days of autonomy, equalization and efficiency.
- Identify the pros and cons of using valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) versus flooded batteries.
- Specify a charge controller.
- Specify a battery-based inverter given certain parameters.
- Determine acceptable voltage drop for system circuits.
- Perform detailed site analysis utilizing commercially available tools-overed.
Enrollment is Limited
Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Workshop Fees: $995
PV200: Advanced Solar Design & Compliance
Apply the National Electric Code (NEC) to solar-electric systems and specify design criteria for both residential and commercial systems. This classroom focuses on the National Electric Code (NEC), including grid interface calculations, grounding considerations and wire sizing. Participants evaluate system performance under various operating conditions. Commercial system design elements, including inter-row shading, inverter selection, and data monitoring solutions, are covered. In-person lectures are combined with system design exercises. The in-person workshop consists of five days of classroom lecture with hands-on class labs.
Students leave being able to:
- Perform NEC service panel bus bar calculations
- Calculate and diagram appropriate series fusing
- Determine NEC required workspace clearances
- Size appropriate disconnects and overcurrent protection
- Calculate spacing between modules to eliminate inter-row shading Perform uplift force and lag bolt strength calculations
- Identify all required NEC labeling for solar-electric systems
- Size grounding wires and grounding electrode conductors to NEC standards
- Draw a three-line diagram of a residential grid-tied system and a residential battery-based system
- Identify the sizing considerations for stand-alone systems
- Perform sizing calculations for a battery-based system
- Calculate maximum charge rates for batteries
Enrollment is Limited
Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm
Workshop Fees: $995
PV101: Solar Installation Lab
This hands-on workshop offers three (3) days (8am-5pm) of supervised installation practice on solar-electric systems. This workshop focuses on how to safely install, test and commission solar-electric systems. Hands-on labs for installation of source electrical including: disconnects ac/dc, inverters, meter base, combiner boxes, utility interconnects.
Participants will dissect and install components of two (2) grid-tied systems most commonly used in the Arizona. Class includes hands on labs for installation of panels/rails/mounts (s-tile, composite shingle and mission tile).
Description:
This course will provide an overview of the three basic PV system applications, primarily focusing on grid-direct systems. The goal of the course is to create a fundamental understanding of the core concepts necessary to work with all PV systems including: system components, site analysis, PV module criteria, mounting solutions, safety and commissioning. The course will also cover the basics of sizing a residential grid-direct system, wire sizing, overcurrent protection and grounding.
Students leave being able to:
- Analyze net metering and other incentives that affect the final cost of PV system
- Diagram an array in series and parallel configurations
- Size appropriate disconnects and overcurrent protection
- Discussions on specifications for a given module and determine a module's performance given various environmental conditions
- Determine performance of an array/system based on irradiance changes or for array orientation and tilt angle at a given site
- Determine the magnetic declination, find the orientation and altitude angle of the sun, and evaluate the shade potential for a given site
- Read equipment specification sheets to determine the critical information needed in system design
- Size a residential grid-direct system including the inverter, array, PV source and inverter output circuit conductors (basic) and overcurrent protection
- Determine the number of modules that can fit on a given roof space
- Identify the following wires and components on a three-line diagram of a residential grid-direct system: the array, disconnects, inverters, the equipment grounding conductors, ungrounded conductors, grounded conductors, the grounding electrode(s) and the system grounds
- List the order of commissioning and potential safety hazards for grid-direct systems
Prerequisite: Participants must have completed the Pv100 workshop before enrolling in the Pv101: Residential Solar Installation Lab
Enrollment is Limited
Three Saturdays, 8:00am - 5:00pm
Workshop Fees: $895
Workshop Materials
The fee for the workshop includes all course materials. You will receive a workshop notebook and a textbook upon your arrival (depending upon workshop). Bring a calculator and Sun Screen creme. Casual attire.
Enrollment
Enrollment Classes are open on a first-come basis. Class size is limited. You can check with our main office to confirm available space at 480.446.0400.
To reserve a seat, complete the Registration form (physical form should be faxed to 866.378.3878) with your tuition. Once submitted, your seat will be reserved.