Solar Training - Advanced PV System Design and the NEC (Grid-Direct)

PV202 focuses significantly on the National Electrical Code, including interconnection calculations, grounding, workspace clearances, and disconnect and overcurrent protection sizing and considerations.

Commercial system equipment specifications including inverters, racking, and commercial voltage service panels are covered; as well as site considerations for roof and ground-mounted arrays, including layout and inter-row shading. PV 202 thoroughly addresses array sizing with various inverter configurations, in order to assess design options and optimize performance. Students will learn to evaluate system performance under various operating conditions, and identify and correct installation errors including ground-faults. This course combines class lectures with individual problem solving exercises covering common design considerations. 

To view online sessions of this workshop, click PVOL202.

Prerequisites:  PV 101 or PVOL101 (or PV D&I or Grid-Tied PV prior to January 2010)

Course materials include a copy of the 2011 National Electric Code book, which you will receive at the start of the course.

Students who complete the workshop will be able to perform the following:

• Determine requirements for disconnects and series fusing, including labeling
• Perform interconnection and labeling calculations for single- and three-phase AC services
• Specify inverters based on system variables, and size inverter subpanel combiners
• Perform calculations related to mounting PV arrays, including inter-row shading and uplift forces
• Examine array mounting options for large systems
• Size grounding conductors for the AC and DC side of the system, and identify causes of, and troubleshooting procedures for ground-faults
• Optimize the match between an inverter and array, and perform sizing and interconnection calculations for commercial-scale systems
• Identify installation considerations to meet NEC requirements and ensure long-lasting, safe systems
• Locate and troubleshoot common installation errors when commissioning a system
• Perform production analysis calculations to compare expected output to measured output for an operating system

SEI Contact Training Hours: 1 week in-person workshop = 40 hours

NABCEP Training Hours:

• PV Installer Certification Requirements: This course counts for 40 advanced training hours.

• PV Technical Sales Certification Requirements: This course counts for 20 hours, which covers the PV Technical Sales JTA.

• PV Installer Recertification Requirements: This course counts for the following:
  • 6 NEC (Code Based) Hours
  • 6 Job Task Analysis Hours
  • 6 Non-Technical Hours

• Solar Heating Installer Recertification: This course counts for 6 Non-Technical continuing education hours.

For information on SEI's Solar Professionals Certificate Program please click here.  For information on SEI's workshop and training program policies please click here.