Solar Training - PV Systems - Tools and Techniques for Operations and Maintenance Lab Week (Grid-Direct) - Solar Training - Solar Installer Training - Solar PV Installation Training - Solar Energy Courses - Renewable Energy Education - NABCEP

Sep 30
duration 5 days
tuition $1,795.00

PV351L: Solar Training - PV Systems - Tools and Techniques for Operations and Maintenance Lab Week (Grid-Direct)

PV351L is an intensive, advanced training designed for solar professionals already working in the PV industry who want to take their technical skills to the next level and gain hands-on experience with a wide range of advanced analytical tools and meters. Through a mix of classroom and lab time, theory is immediately applied in the field, with a focus on commissioning, operations and maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance evaluation. Students gain experience using a wide variety of the latest and greatest tools the industry has to offer, including various multimeters, insulation resistance testers, IV curve tracers, and infrared cameras. Learn the advanced skills required to ensure PV systems operate safely and reliably!

what you will learn

Students who complete the PV351 workshop will be able to:

Determine use and analyze results from various test tools used during commissioning, performance evaluation, operations and maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Define the theory, procedures, and processes behind insulation resistance testing, IV curve tracing, infrared cameras and thermal imaging, performance evaluation, and troubleshooting
Demonstrate proper set-up, use, and function of PV test tools including: IV curve tracers, insulation resistance testers, and thermal cameras
Evaluate the performance of working systems using correct and complete field procedures
Troubleshoot and locate common PV array and system faults using appropriate methodologies and testing tools

helpful information

Check out the SEI Podcast Series regarding this training topic: Tools and Techniques for Solar PV Operations and Maintenance.

Course Options: This course is offered in a 3-day or 5-day format. The 5-day course is held at SEI’s Colorado training center. The 3-day course is hosted by SEI training partners in various locations. Both versions of this course are taught by SEI instructors.

“What is the difference between the 3-day and the 5-day version?”

The 5-day course is offered at our Paonia, Colorado training center. This version extends field time and allows more “hands-on” tool use with working systems. Since this lab is hosted at our training center, numerous working systems and custom training stations are available to facilitate the learning process. Extra time is dedicated for use of IV curve tracers, system analysis, performance evaluation, and additional troubleshooting scenarios. While there may be less “hands on” lab time within the 3-day course, the core theory and tool use are covered in both versions of the course.

PREREQUISITE COURSES: Before participating in the PV351L course, students MUST complete PV101 or PVOL101, PV202 or PVOL202, and PV201L OR an equivalent course from another organization, have NABCEP certification, or demonstrate field experience and pass a placement quiz. Please contact [email protected] if you feel you are qualified to skip the prerequisite for PV351L.

To view sessions of our online Tools & Techniques for Operations and Maintenance training, click PVOL350.

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.

nabcep certification information

These trainings counts towards NABCEP CE requirements.

Contact Training Hours (shown on Record of Completion):

3-day course: 24 Hours
5-day course: 40 hours

NABCEP Training Hours:

PV Installer Certification Requirements:

3-day course: 24 advanced training hours
5-day course: 40 advanced training hours

PV Installer Recertification Requirements:

Both the 3-day and 5-day courses count for the following:

6 NEC (Code Based) Hours
6 Job Task Analysis Hours
6 Non-Technical Hours

PV Technical Sales Recertification Requirements: This course counts for 6 Non-Technical/Other Hours

PV Associate Recertification: 12 training hours

Solar Heating Installer Recertification: Both the 3-day and 5-day courses counts for 6 Non-Technical continuing education hours.

more on nabcep certification > sei's solar professionals certificate program info >

course snapshot

Paonia, CO

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE LOCATION DETAILS >

Paonia is located on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, at 5,645 ft. in elevation. Along with Hotchkiss and Crawford, Paonia is one of the small towns that make up the North Fork Valley. The North Fork of the Gunnison River flows through Paonia and the valley. On both sides of the valley are higher mesas offering panoramic views of the West Elk Mountains, Ragged Mountains, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and San Juan Mountains.

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5 days
40 hours

course materials

see full material list >

Instructors

Danny Bailey
PV Lab Manager

Danny Bailey is one of the newest members of the SEI team. He is part of the PV Technical staff and helps manage and maintain the lab facility. His work also entails logistics for mobile labs, assisting in facilitating labs at SEI, and just trying to make everything run smooth! Danny is a local to Paonia, CO, where SEI’s lab yard is located, and has lived in the area for over 20 years. He has a construction background which he began to develop in high school. He has worked in the majority of the trades (electrical, painting, carpentry, metalworking etc.) for varying lengths of time. Danny is passionate about learning and truly enjoys sharing his knowledge and skills with anyone else who is interested. He was first introduced to renewable energy in 2003, and finished his last course at SEI in 2007. He has worked off and on in the PV industry since 2007 and is thrilled to be working at SEI! He is also an avid organic gardener and enjoys; hiking, skateboarding, mountain biking and just getting out there!

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David Del Vecchio
Instructor

David Del Vecchio is a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology with a Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering. He entered the PV industry in 1998 in North Carolina designing, installing and managing off-grid installations. Since 2005, David has been the President of Solar Seed, Inc. performing design, 3rd party QA and inspections, commissioning, troubleshooting as well as in house training for residential, commercial and utility PV system operations and maintenance personnel. While Senior Engineer at Strata Solar, David was responsible for quality control from equipment specification, engineering drawings, construction through commissioning and O&M on over 250MW. David is a NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional since 2005 and IREC Certified Master Trainer in PV since 2010. David is also the primary instructor since 2006 for PV courses at the North Carolina Solar Center at NC State University. David started teaching for Solar Energy International in 2008. David Del Vecchio, IREC Certified Master TrainerTM for PV Installation Professional.

David Del Vecchio, IREC Certified Master Trainer^TM for PV Installation Professional

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Brian Mehalic
PV Curriculum Developer and Trainer

Brian Mehalic is a NABCEP-certified PV professional and IREC-certified PV instructor with over 12 years of experience designing, installing, servicing, and inspecting all types and sizes of PV systems.

He began his career as Lead Installer and Project Manager at EV Solar Products in Arizona, where he was directly responsible for the design and installation of over 150 photovoltaic systems, ranging from residential off-grid to commercial grid-interactive.

For the past several years he worked as Project Engineer for O2 Energies in North Carolina, advising the developer on system design, modeling performance, and performing quality assurance inspections on over 23 megawatts of ground-mounted PV.

Currently he is a curriculum developer and instructor for Solar Energy International and North Carolina State University, a frequent contributor to SolarPro and Home Power magazines, and an independent consultant providing services ranging from system design and quality assurance inspections to commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

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PV351L: Solar Training - PV Systems - Tools and Techniques for Operations and Maintenance Lab Week (Grid-Direct)

Additional Details

what you will learn

helpful information

nabcep certification information

available sessions

course snapshot

course materials

Instructors

Danny Bailey

David Del Vecchio

Brian Mehalic

PV351L: Solar Training - PV Systems - Tools and Techniques for Operations and Maintenance Lab Week (Grid-Direct)

Additional Details

what you will learn

helpful information

nabcep certification information

available sessions

course snapshot

course materials

Instructors

Danny Bailey

David Del Vecchio

Brian Mehalic

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