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PIMA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Classification:
SLR
101
Occupational
Effective Term:
201110
Beginning Photovoltaic Installation
Initiator:
W. Brubaker
Campus:
Downtown
Date:
2/5/2010
Credit Hours:
3.00
Lecture Periods:
2.00
Lab Periods:
2.00
Description:
Introduction to photovoltaic energy and photovoltaic (PV) system installation. Includes markets and
applications, safety basics, electricity basics, energy efficient appliances, solar energy fundamentals,
photovoltaic materials, module fundamentals, concentrators, system components, system sizing, electrical
design, mechanical design, and performance analysis and troubleshooting.
Information: This course specifically provides preparation for the North American Board of Certified Energy
Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Installer Certification exam.
Course Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
1.
Demonstrate technical skill sets as outlined by a certifying agency such as North American
Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
2.
Discuss electricity basics and demonstrate the use of digital multimeter (DMM).
3.
Demonstrate and explain safety basics.
4.
Define solar energy fundamentals.
5.
Describe photovoltaic (PV) module fundamentals.
6.
Identify PV system components and describe the function and performance characteristics of
each of the six (6) basic components of a PV system.
7.
Calculate PV system sizing and determine the number of modules taking into account roof size,
obstructions, and financial constraints.
8.
Demonstrate PV system electrical design and perform wire sizing to the National Electrical Code
(NEC).
9.
Produce proper labeling as required by the NEC.
10. Describe current protection and appropriately place disconnects.
11. Design location for combiner boxes, junction boxes, and series fusing boxes.
12. Describe PV system mechanical design and determine inter-row shading and lab bolt
calculations.
13. List appropriate safety concerns and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
regulations given a job description.
14. Demonstrate performance analysis and troubleshooting.
Outline:
I.
PV Markets and Applications
A. History of PV technology and industry
B. Markets and applications for PV
1. Grid-tie
2. Water pumps
3. Road signs
4. Remote homes
5. Telecom
C. Types of PV systems
1. Direct motor
2. Standalone with storage
3. Grid back-up
D. Key features and benefits of PV with applications
II. Safety Basics
A. Electrical safety
B. Safety hazards
1. Operational PV systems
2. Non-operational PV systems
C. Safety using tools
D. Safety hazards, practices, and protective equipment during PV system installation and
maintenance
1. Electricity
2. Batteries
3. Roof work
III. Electricity Basics
A. Ohm’s law, Kirchhoff’s voltage, and current law
B. Calculating power and energy
C. Difference between power and energy
D. Basic electrical terms
E. Use of digital multimeters for measuring
1. Resistance
2. Voltage
3. current
F. Simple circuit components and values
IV. Energy Efficient Appliances
A. Energy star appliances
B. Phantom loads
C. Kill-A-Watt meter
V.
Solar Energy Fundamentals
A. Basic solar terms
1. Irradiation
2. Langley
3. Azimuth
B. Find true solar south from magnetic (compass) south given a declination map
C. Basic solar movement and the effect of earth tilt
D. Angular effects on the irradiance of array
E. Solar position using solar path diagrams
F. Factors that reduce/enhance solar irradiation
G. Average solar irradiation on various surfaces
H. Convert solar irradiation into other units
I. Effect of horizon on solar irradiation (shading)
J. Use of solar pathfinder and sun charts
VI. Photovoltaic Materials
A. Single and poly crystalline silicon 13% to 24% efficiency
B. Thin film 3% to 10% efficiency
1. Copper indium gallium selenide (cigs)
2. Cadmium telluride (CDTE)
3. Amorphous
C. Organic 5% efficiency – graetzel cell
D. Gallium arsenide (gaas) 41% efficiency at high concentrations greater than 1000 suns
VII. Photovoltaic Module Fundamentals
A. Solar cell converts sunlight into electric power (photoelectric effect)
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
Current voltage (IV) curves and key point on the typical curve
Output values of solar modules as specified in the manufacturer’s literature
Efficiency of solar modules
Effects of series/parallel connections on the IV curve
Effects of environmental conditions on the IV curve
Measurement conditions for solar cells and modules
1. Standard test conditions (STC)
2. Norma operating temperature of cell (NOTC)
3. PVUSA test condition (PTC)
H. Output characteristics of solar modules under a variety of environmental conditions
I. Performance and characteristics of various cell technologies
J. Construction of solar cells of various manufacturing technologies
K. Components and construction of a typical flat panel solar module
L. Purpose and operation of the bypass diode
M. Deterioration/failure modes of solar modules
N. Qualification tests and standards for solar modules
VIII. Photovoltaic Concentrators
A. Parabolic dishes
B. Planar concentrator
C. Trackers
1. Altitude
2. Azimuth
IX. System Components
A. Common solar module mounting techniques
1. Ground
2. Roof
3. Pole
B. Features and benefits of different solar mounting techniques
C. Relationship between solar module cell temperature and environmental conditions, given
mounting method (e.g. NOTC)
D. Purpose and operation of main electrical balance of system (BOS) components
1. Inverter
2. Charge controller
3. Combiner
4. Ground
5. Fault protection
6. Battery generator
E. Specification of main electrical BOS components
1. Inverter
2. Charge controller
3. Combiner
4. Battery
5. Generator
X. System Sizing
A. Wire sizing for NEC compliance
B. Estimated peak power output
1. Direct current (DC)
2. Alternating current (AC)
C. Maximum power output on iv curve
D. Typical system electrical output derating factors
E. Interacting of typical loads with the iv curve
1. Battery
2. Maximum power point tracker (MPPT)
3. Dc motor
F. Load demand for stand-alone and grid active service
G. Array and inverter size for grid-connected systems
H. Array, battery, and inverter size for stand-alone systems
I. Relationship between array and battery size for stand-alone systems
J. Estimated monthly and annual energy output of grid-connected systems
XI. Photovoltaic System Electrical Design
A. Series and parallel PV array arrangement based on module and inverter specifications
B. Select BOS components appropriate for specific system requirements
C. Determine voltage drop between major components
XII. Photovoltaic System Mechanical Design
A. Different types of PV mounting racks
B. Relationship between tow spacing of tilted modules and sun angle
C. Mechanical loads on a PV array
1. Wind
2. Snow
3. Seismic
XIII. Performance Analysis and Troubleshooting
A. Typical system performance problems
B. Typical system design errors
C. Typical causes of performance problems
D. Equipment needed for typical performance analysis
E. Actual expected system power output
F. Typical locations for electrical/mechanical failure