Grid-Direct Solar Electric Systems and Code Criteria - Online

Description: This workshop will build upon the core concepts from PV 101 and continue to emphasize grid-direct systems.  The course will focus significantly on the National Electrical Code (NEC), including grid interface calculations, grounding considerations, and advanced component specification.  Students will learn to evaluate system performance under various operating conditions.  Commercial system design elements, such as inter-row shading, inverter selection, and data monitoring solutions will also be covered.  This course combines class lectures with individual problem solving exercises covering common design considerations.  The online course is six weeks long and covers all of the material presented in the in-person workshop.

Prerequisites:  PV 101 (or PV D&I or Grid-Tied PV prior to January 2010)

Course materials include a copy of the 2008 National Electric Code book, which will be mailed to you before the start of the course.

NABCEP Training Hours: 6 Week Online = 60 credit hours

Students who complete the workshop will be able to perform the following:
•    Create a three-line electrical schematic of a residential and commercial grid-direct system, including the following components:  PV array, disconnects, inverter, equipment grounding conductors, ungrounded conductors, grounded conductors, grounding electrode(s), and AC and DC system grounds
•    Calculate and diagram appropriate series fusing, disconnects, and overcurrent protection
•    Use NEC tables to calculate maximum system voltage
•    Perform NEC service panel and bus bar calculations and determine whether a supply side or load side connection is more appropriate
•    Investigate advanced climate-specific criteria for grid-tied inverters
•    Perform a commercial site evaluation for a grid-direct system
•    Calculate spacing between modules to minimize or eliminate inter-row shading
•    Perform uplift force and lag bolt strength calculations
•    Size a commercial grid-direct system with either multiple inverters or a central inverter
•    Evaluate grid-direct system production based on given parameters and evaluate different commercially available data monitoring options
•    Determine NEC required workspace clearances given system parameters
•    Size DC equipment grounding and grounding electrode conductors based on NEC requirements
•    Provide all required NEC labeling needed for a grid-direct system
•    List appropriate safety concerns and OSHA guidelines given a specific scenario


North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP):  After completing this course you have met the minimum education requirement to sit for either the NABCEP Entry Level Exam or the NABCEP PV Installer Certification.  Both NABCEP exams include questions on grid-direct and battery-based PV systems.  If students elect to not take PV 203, they will need to spend a significant amount of time independently studying topics related to battery-based systems, in addition to the post-course review recommended by NABCEP.  The NABCEP PV Installer Certification requires additional qualifications to sit for the exam and rigorous review of NABCEP’s PV Study Guide. See www.nabcep.org for information on the additional requirements for the PV Installer Certification.

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