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Training & Certification -> Solar Training -> Online Solar PV -> Solar PV Design Foundations (50 Hours)

Online Training

Solar PV Design Foundations (50 Hours)

This class covers the same fundamental knowledge as our hands-on Solar PV Boot Camp: design, installation, and evaluation of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Topics include site evaluation tools and techniques, solar electric component operation and connection, system design and sizing, and standard requirements and practices. Many common scenarios and procedures are discussed and demonstrated, and all specific electrical requirements are presented in accordance with the National Electrical Code.

Price: $895.00 (Originally: $995.00)

Online Solar PV Training

Self-paced e-learning from home

Hands-on labs with real solar equipment
Interactive content that's not like reading a book

Who is the course for?

Anyone who wants to learn how to make electricity from sunshine using common components and design principles of residential Solar PV systems.

For non-licensed professionals this is a prerequisite for the IREC accredited 6 Day Solar PV Boot Camp. If you have a strong desire to start a career in the solar industry, but do not have the proper background and experience, we strongly recommend that you take this introductory online course.

How long is the course?

The online solar training course is self paced, and most students finish in 4-7 weeks. The total time is about 40-60 hours.

We recognize that most online courses are notoriously boring, and that many students do not finish them. So we designed a fun, interactive, online solar training course about the design & installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The class is enhanced with interactive exercises, animations, quick quizzes, real-world experiments and video clips. We also include an entire solar kit with real solar PV cells, DC motors and multi-meter. Our hands-on exercises help you really understand solar design!

How flexible is the schedule for the online solar training?

You can do the course work whenever you wish, day or night, and an instructor is available to help you with your questions.

When you enroll in the course, you receive a complete reference textbook and CD-ROM, plus an entire solar kit with real solar PV cells, DC motors and a multi-meter. You can receive a $600 discount towards this course, by bundling it with our acclaimed hands-on 6 Day Solar PV Boot Camp.

Upon completing the online solar training course and finishing the assessments with a 70% score, students will be awarded the Entry-level Photovoltaic Design certification.

This course fills up very quickly, and seats are very limited and strictly on a first-come-first-serve basis. To improve your chances of enrollment, we suggest you click the ENROLL button in the Course Schedule table below to sign up online. We are currently not offering Standby status for any dates of this course. Students outside of the USA may incur additional shipping charges for course material delivery. Please contact an Admissions Representative for more information.

1: Introduction to Photovoltaic (PV) Systems

* Photovoltaics definitions

* PV Applications

* Overview of PV industry

* Different solar energy technologies

2: Solar Radiation

* The Sun

* Solar radiation, definitions and explanations

* Sun-Earth relationships

* Array orientation

* Solar radiation data sets

3: Site Evaluation

* Preliminary assessment and preplanning

* Site surveys

* Preparing proposals

* Installation planning

4: System Components

* Component descriptions

* Sources of electricity

* System configurations

5: Cells, Modules, and Arrays

* PV cells and associated technologies

* Current – voltage (I-V) characteristics

* Device responses

* Modules and arrays, characteristics and standards

6: Battery Systems

* Battery principles

* Types of batteries

* Battery systems

7: Charge Controllers

* Features

* Types of charge controllers

* Charge controller setpoints

* Charge controller applications

8: Inverters

* AC power and characteristics

* Inverters and types

* Power conditioning units

* Inverter features and specifications

9: System Sizing

* System sizing methods

* System sizing calculations

10: Mechanical Integration

* System mechanical considerations

* System mounting configurations

* Mechanical integration details

11: Electrical Integration

* System electrical integration

* Conductors and wiring methodology

* Overcurrent protection mechanism

* Disconnects, definition and descriptions

* Grounding methodology

* Battery systems

12: Electrical Utility Interconnection\

* Interactive distributed generation

* Utility interconnection policies

13: Permitting and Inspection

* Building codes and regulations

* Permitting details

* Inspection

14: Commissioning, Maintenance and Troubleshooting

* Commissioning

* Maintenance

* Monitoring

* Troubleshooting

15: Economic Analysis

* Incentives

* Cost analysis

16: Certificate Exam & Course Summary

No prerequisites necessary.

Dates PendingWe're currently organizing dates for this course. Check back here soon!Special Offer:Purchase any Live Course and receive a 10% discount on any Online Courses! Online Courses must be purchased in the same order as a Live Course.Online Solar PV Training
This class covers the same fundamental knowledge as our hands-on Solar PV Boot Camp: design, installation, and evaluation of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Topics include site evaluation tools and techniques, solar electric component operation and connection, system design and sizing, and standard requirements and practices. Many common scenarios and procedures are discussed and demonstrated, and all specific electrical requirements are presented in accordance with the National Electrical Code.Self-paced e-learning from home

Hands-on labs with real solar equipment

Interactive content that's not like reading a book

Who is the course for?Anyone who wants to learn how to make electricity from sunshine using common components and design principles of residential Solar PV systems.For non-licensed professionals this is a prerequisite for the IREC accredited 6 Day Solar PV Boot Camp. If you have a strong desire to start a career in the solar industry, but do not have the proper background and experience, we strongly recommend that you take this introductory online course.How long is the course?The online solar training course is self paced, and most students finish in 4-7 weeks. The total time is about 40-60 hours.We recognize that most online courses are notoriously boring, and that many students do not finish them. So we designed a fun, interactive, online solar training course about the design & installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. The class is enhanced with interactive exercises, animations, quick quizzes, real-world experiments and video clips. We also include an entire solar kit with real solar PV cells, DC motors and multi-meter. Our hands-on exercises help you really understand solar design!How flexible is the schedule for the online solar training?
You can do the course work whenever you wish, day or night, and an instructor is available to help you with your questions.When you enroll in the course, you receive a complete reference textbook and CD-ROM, plus an entire solar kit with real solar PV cells, DC motors and a multi-meter. You can receive a $600 discount towards this course, by bundling it with our acclaimed hands-on 6 Day Solar PV Boot Camp.Upon completing the online solar training course and finishing the assessments with a 70% score, students will be awarded the Entry-level Photovoltaic Design certification.This course fills up very quickly, and seats are very limited and strictly on a first-come-first-serve basis. To improve your chances of enrollment, we suggest you click the ENROLL button in the Course Schedule table below to sign up online. We are currently not offering Standby status for any dates of this course. Students outside of the USA may incur additional shipping charges for course material delivery. Please contact an Admissions Representative for more information.1: Introduction to Photovoltaic (PV) Systems* Photovoltaics definitions* PV Applications* Overview of PV industry* Different solar energy technologies2: Solar Radiation* The Sun* Solar radiation, definitions and explanations* Sun-Earth relationships* Array orientation* Solar radiation data sets3: Site Evaluation* Preliminary assessment and preplanning* Site surveys* Preparing proposals* Installation planning4: System Components* Component descriptions* Sources of electricity* System configurations5: Cells, Modules, and Arrays* PV cells and associated technologies* Current – voltage (I-V) characteristics* Device responses* Modules and arrays, characteristics and standards6: Battery Systems* Battery principles* Types of batteries* Battery systems7: Charge Controllers* Features* Types of charge controllers* Charge controller setpoints* Charge controller applications8: Inverters* AC power and characteristics* Inverters and types* Power conditioning units* Inverter features and specifications9: System Sizing* System sizing methods* System sizing calculations10: Mechanical Integration* System mechanical considerations* System mounting configurations* Mechanical integration details11: Electrical Integration* System electrical integration* Conductors and wiring methodology* Overcurrent protection mechanism* Disconnects, definition and descriptions* Grounding methodology* Battery systems12: Electrical Utility Interconnection\* Interactive distributed generation* Utility interconnection policies13: Permitting and Inspection* Building codes and regulations* Permitting details* Inspection14: Commissioning, Maintenance and Troubleshooting* Commissioning* Maintenance* Monitoring* Troubleshooting15: Economic Analysis* Incentives* Cost analysis16: Certificate Exam & Course SummaryNo prerequisites necessary.