Overview:
Solar Technology (PVT 100 | PVT 110)

PVT 100 course includes:
• PV Markets and Applications
• Safety Basics
• Electricity Basics
• Solar Energy Fundamentals
• PV Module Fundamentals
• System Components

PVT 110 course includes:
• PV System Sizing
• PV System Electrical Design
• PV System Mechanical Design
• Performance Analysis and Troubleshooting

Learning Objectives

PV Markets and Applications

• Describe history of PV technology and industry
• Describe markets and applications for PV (grid-tie, remote homes, telecom, etc.)
• Identify types of PV systems (direct motor, standalone with storage, grid-backup, etc.)
• Associate key features and benefits of PV with applications

Safety Basics

• Identify safety hazards of operational and non-operational PV systems
• Identify safety hazards, practices and protective equipment during PV system installation and maintenance (electricity, batteries, roof work)

Electricity Basics

• Explain difference between energy and power
• Define basic electrical terms
• Describe the use of digital multi-meter
• Calculate simple circuit values

Solar Energy Fundamentals

• Define basic solar terms (e.g., irradiation, Langley, azimuth)
• Determine true (solar) south from magnetic (compass) south given a declination map
• Describe Basic solar movement and effect of earth tilt
• Predict solar position using solar path diagrams
• Describe angular effects on the irradiance of array
• Identify factors that reduce/enhance solar irradiation
• Determine average solar irradiation on various surfaces
• Convert solar irradiation into a variety of units
• Determine effect of horizon on solar irradiation (shading)
• Demonstrate use of Solar Pathfinder or sun charts

PV Module Fundamentals

• Explain how a solar cell converts sunlight into electric power
• Label key points on a typical IV curve
• Identify key output values of solar modules using manufacturer literature
• Illustrate effect of environmental conditions on IV curve
• Illustrate effect of series/parallel connections on IV curve
• Define measurement conditions for solar cells and modules (STC, NOCT, PTC)
• Compute expected output values of solar module under variety of environmental conditions
• Compare the construction of solar cells of various manufacturing technologies
• Compare the performance and characteristics of various cell technologies
• Describe the components and construction of a typical flat plate solar module
• Calculate efficiency of solar module
• Explain purpose and operation of bypass diode
• Describe typical deterioration/failure modes of solar modules
• Describe the major qualification tests and standards for solar modules

System Components

• Describe most common solar module mounting techniques (ground, roof, pole)
• Compare features and benefits of different solar mounting techniques
• Explain the relationship between solar module cell temperature and environmental conditions, given mounting method (e.g., NOCT)
• Describe purpose and operation of main electrical BOS components (inverter, charge
• controller, combiner, ground fault protection, battery, generator)
• Identify key specifications of main electrical BOS components (inverter, charge controller, combiner, battery, generator)

PV System Sizing

• Illustrate interaction of typical loads with IV curve (battery, MPPT, dc motor)
• Analyze load demand for stand-alone and grid interactive service
• Identify typical system electrical output derating factors
• Calculate estimated peak power output (dc and ac)
• Calculate array and inverter size for grid-connected system
• Calculate estimated monthly and annual energy output of grid-connected system
• Explain relationship between array and battery size for stand-alone systems
• Calculate array, battery and inverter size for stand-alone system

PV System Electrical Design

• Determine series/parallel PV array arrangement based on module and inverter specifications
• Select BOS components appropriate for specific system requirements
• Determine voltage drop between major components

PV System Mechanical Design

• Describe the relationship between row spacing of tilted modules and sun angle
• Describe the mechanical loads on a PV array (e.g., wind, snow, seismic)

• Describe typical system design errors
• Describe typical system performance problems
• Associate performance problems with typical causes
• List equipment needed for typical system performance analysis
• Compare actual system power output to expected
• Identify typical locations for electrical/mechanical failure