APR 143B Fundamentals of Grid-Direct Solar Design and Installation
Lecture Hours: 5
Lab Hours: 2
Credits: 6
Presents an introduction to a career in the solar industry and the fundamentals to a solid understanding of various components, system architectures, and applications for PV systems. Includes site analysis, system sizing, array configuration, and performance estimation; electrical design characteristics such as wiring, overcurrent protection, and grounding; a detailed look at module and inverter specifications and characteristics; mounting methods for various roof structures and ground-mounts; and an introduction to safely and effectively commissioning grid-direct PV systems. Focuses on grid-direct PV systems, but covers material critical to understanding all types of PV systems.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Recognize the common types of PV systems, their major components, and applications; interpret diagrams of systems to understand component interaction and power flow and interpret demand and PV production curves
- Define the two types of electrical current (AC and DC) and explain their differences; Explain the relationship between: volts, amps, amp-hours, watts, watt-hours, and kilowatt-hours; distinguish between systems that provide DC and/or AC power and perform power and energy calculations.
- Identify and define the function of the following on a three-line diagram of a grid-direct PV system: equipment grounding & conductors, ungrounded conductors, functionally grounded conductors, grounding electrode, grounding electrode conductor, electrical system grounding
- List the common types of inverters, define the functions of an inverter, recognize common inverter voltage characteristics and requirements.
- Identify the important information used to specify a grid-direct inverter; describe how the PV array voltage must fit within the inverter voltage window. Identify the functions of grid-direct inverters, and list the common types of grid-direct inverters. Differentiate between central and string inverters, and module-level power electronics.
- Demonstrate how temperature impacts PV voltage and describe why temperature is an important system design consideration
- Identify and describe characteristics of conductor materials and insulations; Differentiate between different conductor sizes; determine color coding of conductors based on wire type and circuit characteristics
- Identify potential jobsite hazards and opportunities for additional safety training; determine proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for PV installation and commissioning tasks; Understand Lockout / Tagout procedures.
Content Outline
- PV Install
- PPE
- Solar Array
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