This course covers the basics of electricity, load analysis, system sizing, and the components involved in off-grid and utility inter-tie PV alternative energy systems for residential installation. Included will be the wiring of a PV system and demonstration of wind generation and hydroelectric systems. Information will also be provided on the California rebate process and installer certification requirements for home-based alternative energy systems. Students will have the opportunity to design their own site specific system.
PV II – Commercial Solar System Installation
This course covers the basics of electricity, load analysis, system sizing, and the components involved in off-grid and utility inter-tie PV alternative energy systems for commercial installation. Included will be the wiring of a PV system and demonstration of wind generation and hydroelectric systems. Information will also be provided on the California rebate process and installer certification requirements for home-based alternative energy systems. Students will have the opportunity to design their own site specific system.
PV III – Solar System Design & Installation
Students will learn how to do solar site evaluations, electrical load calculations, solar system size calculations, and installation techniques for grid-tie and off-the-grid photovoltaic systems. Students will learn how to design and install their own solar system and or obtain skills for employment.
This course will provide an overview of the basic PV system applications. The goal of this session is to create a fundamental understanding of the core concepts necessary to work with both residential and commercial PV systems. Topics include: system components, site analysis, PV module criteria, mounting solutions, safety, and commissioning. Participants will learn the fundamentals of sizing a residential batteryless grid-tied system, wire sizing, overcurrent protection, and grounding. This session will also review fundamental design criteria for off-grid stand-alone systems including specifying batteries, controllers, and battery-based inverters.
PV IV – Renewable Energy Sales
This course is designed for those with an interest in becoming part of the solar sales work force, company executives who need to understand the numbers and those with an interest in the estimation process and is intended for those with a knowledge of solar power systems. The course teaches the latest in solar PV installation pricing and economics of solar in light of Federal, State, and local rebate and incentive programs. Additionally, the course will cover cost estimation and calculation, including permit cost, incentive and rebate programs, equipment cost, type of proof, string sizing constraints, time and labor.
PV V – Launch Your Solar Business
This course is based on the premise that entrepreneurship is a positive force for building social, environmental and financial value. It will focus on the business trends in alternative energy solutions. During the course, students will study relevant cases, examine the best opportunities for private sector activity, examine for-profit approaches, and investigate various financial tools which enable profitable solar energy solutions.
