Course Summary
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to solar energy and electrical system design, providing students with the knowledge and skills required to design, install, and maintain solar power systems.Key Learning Points
- Gain a foundational understanding of solar energy technologies and their applications
- Learn to design and install solar power systems for residential and commercial use
- Develop proficiency in electrical system design and maintenance
- Explore the economic and environmental benefits of solar power
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Design and install solar power systems for residential and commercial use
- Understand the economic and environmental benefits of solar power
- Develop proficiency in electrical system design and maintenance
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of math and physics
- Familiarity with electrical circuits
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Self-paced
- Online
Similar Courses
- Wind Energy
- Introduction to Renewable Energy
- Solar Energy Engineering
Related Education Paths
- Renewable Energy MasterTrack Certificate
- Sustainability MasterTrack Certificate
- Energy Innovation and Emerging Technologies Professional Certificate
Related Books
Description
This course supplies learners with the insights necessary for properly planning, and therefore successfully installing, a photovoltaic (PV) system per design specifications. It directs learners through the important steps of initial site inspection and evaluating appropriate locations for PV systems, and features unique elements of residential, small, industrial and utility-scale solar applications. The course probes key design concerns – including load, efficiency, and mechanical and electrical design – as well as aesthetics and tools for planning. Learners experiment with calculations needed to design a PV system, exercising newly gained knowledge about site selection, layout, code compliance, system components, and wire sizing.
Knowledge
- Analyze advantages and disadvantages of various PV systems
- Evaluate PV system requirements
- Identify key PV design considerations and planning tools
Outline
- PV Design Basics
- Initial Site Inspection
- Shade Calculations
- Roof Assessments
- Solar Panel Location and Spacing
- Floodplains
- Power Line and Battery Locations
- Circuit Boxes
- Pros and Cons of Rooftop Systems
- Ground Mounts and Building Integrated PV
- Large Commercial, Community, and Utility-Scale Solar
- Site Visit Summary
- Acknoweldgements
- Shade Calculation Tools (Optional)
- Guide to Structural Consideration (Optional)
- Sun Path Chart Program (Optional)
- U.S. Floodplain Data (Optional)
- Ground Mount vs Rooftop Mounted Systems (Optional)
- Ground Mounts and Off-Grid Systems (Optional)
- Building-Integrated PV (Optional)
- Land Requirements for Solar PV Systems
- PV Design Basics- Practice Quiz 1
- PV Design Basics Practice Quiz 2
- PV Design Basics
- PV Design Considerations
- Load
- Efficiency
- Wind Loading
- Lag Bolt Calculations
- Weight Loading
- Measuring Excess Capacity
- Ballast System
- System Sizing Calculation
- Full Sun Hours Chart
- Efficiency Calculation
- Wind Map and ASCE 7 (Optional)
- Wind Loading Calculation Formulas and Examples (Optional)
- Wood Handbook
- PV Design Considerations Practice Quiz
- PV Design Considerations
- Electrical System Design
- Load and Size
- Inverters and Solar Panels
- Code
- String Size, Pathways, and Module Curves
- Temperature Coefficient
- Inverter Capacity
- System Design Calculation
- Voltage Drop Overview
- Wire Run and Voltage Drop
- Ampacity
- Conduits in Different Scenarios
- Managing Current
- Shut Off
- Conclusion
- Evaluating Loads (Optional)
- Types of Inverters (Optional)
- U.S. National Electric Code
- Trina Spec Sheet (Optional)
- Temperature Coefficient Calculations (Optional)
- SMA Inverter Capacity Spec Sheet (Optional)
- Calculating Voltage Change (Optional)
- Voltage Drop Calculation - Part I (Optional)
- Voltage Drop Calculation - Part II
- Ampacity Table 310.15(B)(16) (Optional)
- De-Rating Calculations (Optional)
- Ambient Temperature Adjustments (Optional)
- Ampacity Calculation
- Micro-Inverter Spec Sheet
- Electrical System Design Practice Quiz 1
- Electrical System Design Practice Quiz 2
- Electrical System Design
- Recommendation Options
- PV Aesthetics
- Codes, Clean Energy Goals, and Costs
- Design Considerations
- PV Planning
- Solar Shingles, Tiles, and Solar Roofs (Optional)
- PV Aesthetics (Optional)
- Codes (Optional)
- Solar PV Costs (Optional)
- Design Considerations (Optional)
- Planning Calculations (Optional)
- Planning Tools (Optional)
- Recommendation Options Practice Quiz
- Recommendation Options
- System Design Project: Theory to Practice
- Final Graded System Design Project Specs
- Final Graded System Design Project
Summary of User Reviews
This course on solar energy and electrical system design has received positive reviews from users. Many found the content to be informative and helpful in understanding the subject. Overall, the course is highly recommended for those interested in learning about solar energy systems.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
The course content is informative and helpful in understanding solar energy systems.Pros from User Reviews
- The course is well-structured and easy to follow
- The instructors are knowledgeable and provide clear explanations
- The course covers a wide range of topics related to solar energy and electrical system design
- The assignments and quizzes are challenging but helpful in reinforcing the concepts learned
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the course to be too basic and not advanced enough
- The course could benefit from more hands-on activities or simulations
- The video lectures can be lengthy and difficult to stay engaged with
- The peer-reviewed assignments can be time-consuming and frustrating if not graded fairly
Gay E Canough
4.7 Raiting
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