SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 11:16:46 PMELEC 156 Course Outline as of Summer 2011

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  ELEC 156Title:  PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS  
Full Title:  Photovoltaic Systems Design and Installation
Last Reviewed:1/28/2019

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled2.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled35.00
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled3.008 min.Lab Scheduled52.50
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total5.00 Contact Total87.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  70.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
Untitled document
Introduction to photovoltaic technology and its practical application.  Focus is on residential and small commercial photovoltaic systems; how they work, the equipment required, and maximizing energy harvest in both utility interactive and off-grid applications.  Provides the basic understanding required to size, site, design, and install code-compliant solar energy systems.  Course is registered provider of the NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam (optional at end of semester).

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion or Current Enrollment in ELEC 51A OR Course Completion or Current Enrollment in ELEC 60A


Recommended Preparation:
Course Completion of MATH 150A

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
Introduction to photovoltaic technology and its practical application.  Focus is on residential and small commercial photovoltaic systems; how they work, the equipment required, and maximizing energy harvest in both utility interactive and off-grid applications.  Provides the basic understanding required to size, site, design, and install code-compliant solar energy systems.  Course is registered provider of the NABCEP Entry Level Certificate of Knowledge Exam (optional at end of semester).
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:Course Completion or Current Enrollment in ELEC 51A OR Course Completion or Current Enrollment in ELEC 60A
Recommended:Course Completion of MATH 150A
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Certificate Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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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.

Topics and Scope
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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

Assignments:
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1. Read approximately one textbook chapter per week
2. Weekly problem sets
3. Weekly lab activities
4. 5-10 quizzes
5. Midterm
6. PV system design project
7. Final exam

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
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


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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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

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