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Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Discuss the history of photovoltaic technology.
2. Use current--voltage curves (IV curves) to interpret photovoltaic response to Sun and temperature.
3. Read a Sun chart and understand the Earth's movements around the Sun.
4. Chose appropriate personal protection equipment when working with PV.
5. Use standard industry tools to determine a site's shading and to measure the total solar resource fraction available.
6. Perform a load analysis for both utility interactive and off-grid system sizing.
7. Match PV modules to inverter by using both manual string sizing calculations and manufacturer's string sizing tools.
8. Select appropriate racking and balance of system components for roof and ground mounted arrays.
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Lectures and labs will cover the following topics:
I. Energy Overview
a. Production
b. Uses
c. Conservation
II. Photovoltaic History, Applications, Types of Systems
a. Photovoltaics cell development: 1839--Today
b. Early Applications
c. Technology uses today
III. Photovoltaics Economics and Political Environment
a. Net-Metering vs. Feed-in-Tariffs
b. Federal incentives
c. State incentives
IV. Electricity and PV
a. Voltage, Current, Resistance
b. Ohms Law
c. Alternating current (AC) & direct current (DC)
d. Power vs. Energy
e. Digital Multimeter Use
V. Photovoltaic Safety
a. Electricity Physiology
b. Lock out/tag out procedures
c. Fall safety
d. Personal protection equipment
e. Battery safety
f. NEC Code
VI. Photovoltaic Modules
a. Mono & Poly Crystalline
b. Amorphous & Thin Film
c. IV Curve Irradiance Response
d. IV Curve Temperature Response
e. Test Conditions: STC (factory standard test conditions) & PTC (PV USA test conditions)
VII. Solar Resource
a. Peak Sun Hours
b. Units of Irradiation & Insolation
c. Azimuth, Tilt, and Latitude
d. Sun Charts
e. Seasons
VIII. Load Analysis
a. Rate Schedule Tiers
b. Time-Of-Use
c. Energy requirements (kWhrs)
d. Critical loads
IX. System Sizing
a. DC vs. AC kWhrs
b. De-rate factors
X. Site Review
a. Compass declination
b. Shade Evaluation Tools: PathFinder, SunEye, Protractor
c. Mounting Azimuth & Tilt
d. Utility Service Panel
XI. Equipment Selection
a. Modules
b. Inverters
c. Racking
XII. Design
a. Layout
b. Row Spacing
c. Roof vs. Ground
XIII. Permitting
a. Site Plans
b. Layouts
c. Line Diagrams
XIV. Installation
a. Structural requirements
b. Mounting
c. Roof Types
d. Wire Runs
XV. Off-Grid System Design
a. Load Analysis - Amp Hours & Watts
b. System Voltages
c. Batteries
d. Charge Controllers
e. Array Sizing
XVI. Performance Analysis and Troubleshooting
a. Expected Output
b. Diagnostic Measurements
c. Failure Modes & Causes
| Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing. | Writing
0 - 0% |
| None | |
| This is a degree applicable course but assessment tools based on writing are not included because problem solving assessments are more appropriate for this course. |
|
| Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving
10 - 40% |
| Problem sets | |
| Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations
20 - 50% |
| Lab assignments; PV system design project | |
| Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams
20 - 40% |
| Quizzes, final exam: multiple choice, completion, true-false | |
| Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category
0 - 0% |
| None | |
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Dunlop, Jim: Photovoltaic Systems, American Technical Publishers 2nd Edition
Homewood, Illinois: 2009
Solar Energy International: Photovoltaics Design and Installation Manual, New Society Publishers
Gabriola Island, BC, Canada: 2004
Instructor prepared materials