PV 201:
Photovoltaic Systems Design: Basic Course

Who the course is for
Description
What you will learn
Lessons
Cost
Dates offered
Duration
Format
Instructor

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Who the Course is for
End Users, Owner-builders, Industry and Trades People, Decision Makers and Project Managers, Facility Managers, Entrepeneurs who want to learn how to produce their own electric power from the sun. The course will be useful to the person seeking employment in the solar energy industry as well as the person seeking to apply solar electricity for his or her own use.

Description
A technical design course; from the beginning. Learn how to design your own Photovoltaic system; Learn to figure out how much electricity you need; different types of PV power systems; and the function and characteristics of each component. You will learn system sizing, site analysis, and how to select all the equipment you need for a safe and adequate PV system. Decide for yourself what you need; then shop for your best source of equipment and service.

You will receive a copy of SolarSizer (version 1.6), a PV systems software design tool; with case study designs. Learn how to use SolarSizer to design PV systems; see instant results of design modifications, with respect to performance, cost and economics.

Topics Include: The Basics of Solar Electricity; PV System Components; Efficient Appliances; Solar Site Analysis; PV System Sizing; Component Specification; System Costs and Economics.

Prerequisites:
No prior knowledge or skills in photovoltaics are required.
PV101 PV Technology Overview or equivalent is highly recommended.

What You will Learn
Upon Successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

1. Describe the fundamental concepts and teminology of electricity as it applies to PV power systems.

2. Determine the energy requirements for any desired application(s).

3. Access the input information required for PV system design; including solar resource data and hardware specifications.

4. Perform hand calculations to determine the capacity and specifications for each of the major components required in a solar electric power system.

5. Use PV design software to facilitate the PV system design process and study the effects of changing design parameters.

6. Evaluate the initial cost and comparative economics of alternative system designs.

Lessons
Orientation
Lesson 1: PV Systems: Components and Configurations
Lesson 2: Solar Electricity: The Basics
Lesson 3: The Solar Resource
Lesson 4: Estimating the Load
Lesson 5: Photovoltaic Modules
Lesson 6: Batteries
Lesson 7: PV Controllers
Lesson 8: Inverters
Lesson 9: PV System Wiring, Safety and Balance of System
Lesson 10: PV System Sizing, Part I
Lesson 11: PV System Sizing, Part II
Lesson 12: PV System Sizing, Part III

Cost
Tuition and Course Materials $300

Duration
10 Lessons / 6 Weeks*
60 hours total estimated time
See the Course Calendar for Dates

* students are encouraged to complete the course within the designated time; but you can take up to a year if you need it, subject to the scheduled offerings of the course.

Format
This is an On-Line course. Each student participates on his or her own time. You are encouraged to interact as much as possible with the Instructor and other students. Course materials include downloadable on-line text, slide presentations, Internet links, Reference Library and an on-line discussion group.

The on-line discussion group is where you can pose questions and receive answers from the instructor; make comments or share your knowledge and experience, and participate in an on-line discussion with other students regarding course content.

Instructor
Ken Olson has taught Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation since 1985. He is a Certified Vocational Educator in the State of Colorado and has been teaching hands-on practical training in renewable and solar energy technologies full time since 1981. He is a Co-Founder of Solar Energy International (SEI) and served as it's Executive Director from inception in 1991 until September 1999. He has also developed and taught Photovoltaic training courses in for the World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization since 1989. From 1981 until 1991 he developed and taught a vocational solar training program as a Professor and Industrial Trainer at the Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

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