(S105)*

Contact Hours: 40

Course Description

This course is the classroom portion of Ontility’s Entry Level Solar Electric Training (S103) and provides an introduction to the fundamentals of solar technologies and a study of the history and current state of the solar photovoltaic industry. Course content includes an introduction to solar radiation, photovoltaic technologies and systems, characteristics and considerations of various system types, site selection and overview of various systems and system components.

This course provides an orientation and analysis of solar energy systems for residential and commercial applications. The course includes electricity basics and code, design and use of grid-tie and grid-tie with battery back-up, inverters and charge controllers, overview of electrical utility systems, and requirements to work with electrical utilities, instruction regarding permitting, inspection, commissioning, documentation and labeling requirements, point-of-utility connection, and system maintenance practices and procedures.

Upon completion of this class, students are eligible to take the NABCEP Entry Level PV Exam. The exam is administered after the conclusion of class at the end of the week.

Prerequisites

There is no prerequisite coursework. No solar industry experience is assumed. Knowledge requirements include basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals, and percentages, use of formulas, algebra, and word problems), use of the Internet, problem solving skills, and the use of a calculator. Use of basic hand tools is required for lab participation.

Course Objectives

Upon Completion of this course, the student will have the ability to:

• Describe the history and development of photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal technologies and applications
• Identify the types of solar energy systems and describe the advantages and disadvantages of each type
• Explain how a solar cell converts sunlight into electric power
• Define solar terms
• Define basic solar energy terms
• Describe how solar energy is received on the earth’s surface
• Identify how different technologies utilize solar radiation
• Identify opportunities for grid-interactive residential and commercial solar systems
• Describe photovoltaic system components and configurations
• Describe battery, generator and other types of backup systems and how they are integrated into a grid-interactive solar system
• Describe practices and procedures for utility company buy-back of power produced by distributed systems
• Identify and configure electrical balance of system components
• Analyze load demands and calculate system requirements
• Conduct a site survey and specify system components and design
• Calculate array and inverter size for grid-interactive solar systems, both with and without backup components
• Determine structural integrity and suitability for installation of various PV systems
• Describe various mounting systems and perform mounting procedures of PV modules and electrical components
• Perform commissioning, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures for installed systems
• Demonstrate proper and safe use of required tools and measurement instruments necessary to conduct a thorough site survey and system installation
• Describe inspection, permitting and documentation requirements for grid-interactive solar systems
• Describe the risks and safety issues and OSHA regulations to consider when working with PV technologies
• Describe the solar PV industry and markets

Textbooks & Instructional Manuals

Photovoltaics: Design and Installation Manual, Solar Energy International, New Society Publishers, May 2007, ISBN 978-0-86571-520-2

Photovoltaic Systems, James P. Dunlop, American Technical Publishers, 2nd edition, 2010, ISBN 978-0-8269-1308-1

Solar Electric Training - Online, published by ONTILITY

These materials are provided to students at the beginning of the course. The cost of materials is included in the tuition fee.

Course & Instructor Evaluation

Students are encouraged to provide informal feedback throughout the course. Online, real time access to instructors is provided at scheduled times throughout each week. This feedback is used to create an on-going professional development plan for instructors and to inform course improvements.

Student Evaluation

Student performance is evaluated by:

• Participation in on-line discussions
• Lab participation
• Completion with a score of at least 80% on final exam
• Attendance - 40 hours is required

This 24 hour online course, along with our two day Solar Installation Lab, (S106), offers a more flexible and modular way to take our Solar Success: Entry Level Solar Electric Training (ISPQ) (S103).

Successful completion of course S105 and S106 provides students the same benefits as our traditional five day course Solar Success: Entry Level Solar Electric Training (ISPQ) (S103).

Class Fee: $800

(plus $395 for the separate (S106) lab course)

* These are Powered by ONTILITY Certified Partner™ Program Courses. One or more of these courses may be required to achieve designation as a Powered by ONTILITY™ Certified Partner™.

Successful completion of this course allows students to be eligible to take the NABCEP^® Entry Level PV Exam. ONTILITY is an approved provider of the exam and offers the test every Friday night, after our Solar PV (S103) course.

Certification Path

Upon successful completion of this course, completion and documentation of field experience, and additional home study, students may be eligible to take the NABCEP^® Certified PV Installer Exam. For details and up to date information, see: http://www.nabcep.org/certification/pv-installer-certification/pv-requirementseducation

<< Back to Solar PV & Solar Thermal Courses

In addition to the online lessons, you will receive two books, and an Ontility branded binder:

• Photovoltaic Systems by Jim Dunlap
• Photovoltaic System Design and Installation Manual by Solar Energy International
  (These are the most widely used and most well-respected texts in the industry – included at no additional charge).
• ONTILITY branded binder and course documents.

Register now - Begin solar training this week!

After you complete a quick, simple registration, you will receive an e-mail confirming receipt of your payment. The e-mail will also contain instructions about when you can expect to receive your books and your login information. You should receive your books within 48 hours of completing registration – your login will be activated at that time.

Become Certified Upon Course Completion

Become an ONTILITY Certified Partner!

Most students complete the online portion of Entry Level Solar Electric Training in about 4 weeks. Then you are eligible to attend a 2-day ONTILITY Solar Installation Lab (S106). When you complete the online course (S105), you will be entitled to become an ONTILITY Certified Partner.

* These are Powered by ONTILITY Certified Partner^© Program Courses. One or more of these courses may be required to achieve designation as a Powered by ONTILITY Certified Partner^©.

Successful completion of this course allows students to be eligible to take the NABCEP^® Entry Level PV Exam. ONTILITY is an approved provider of the exam and offers the test every Friday night, after our Solar PV S103 course.