SPV2000 SPPI Photovoltaic Systems Foundations Workshop
The SolPowerPeople Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Foundations Workshop is an introductory course providing a thorough foundation of knowledge about solar energy technologies. Course content is based on the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Photovoltaic Entry Level Learning Objectives. Highlights include an overview of the history and development of various solar technologies, history and orientation current electric generation technologies and grid topographies, electricity basics, an introduction to earth-sun relationships and environmental factors that affect PV design and performance, PV systems and system components, PV system sizing, an introduction to PV system design, installation and maintenance, as well as working safely with PV systems. Completion of this course provides a sound foundation as to how and why PV systems are designed and work the way that they do in preparation for more advanced PV training.
SPV2000 Learning Objectives:
SPV2000 Learning Objectives:
- Describe markets and applications for photovoltaic systems
- List the advantages and disadvantages of PV systems vs. other forms of electric generation
- Discuss the importance of conservation and energy efficiency and identify a basic energy efficiency elements of a residential structure
- Identify safety hazards of photovoltaic systems
- Identify safety practices and personal protective equipment used during photovoltaic system installation and maintenance
- Describe the history of electricity generation in the United States
- Compare and contrast the difference between centralized and distributed electricity generation topographies
- Define basic electrical terms and perform power and energy calculations
- Explain series/parallel connections and design simple PV arrays and battery banks
- Calculate simple circuit values
- Define fundamental solar energy terms and concepts
- Interpret and utilize NREL Solar Radiation Data Tables to perform PV system production estimates
- Describe and utilize latitude specific Sun Path charts to determine the relative position of the sun at various times of day at various times throughout the year.
- Identify and use appropriate site assessment tools, including shading analysis and initial production estimators such as NREL PVWATTS Versions 1 & 2
- Identify and describe the features and benefits of various PV module technologies
- Explain photovoltaic module specifications and calculate module efficiency
- Describe purpose, operation, features and benefits of photovoltaic system components for direct PV, grid-tied, off-grid bimodal and hybrid PV systems
- Perform a basic load analysis and calculate photovoltaic system sizing for off-grid PV systems
- Identify basic photovoltaic system electrical design principles and standards and predict system output projections based on expected environmental conditions
- Identify photovoltaic system mechanical design concepts