Solar
Design and Installation
Utility-Scale
Designing Utility-Scale Solar Systems with PVcase Ground Mount
1 - 3 hours to complete
Instructor-led
Last updated 01/2025
About this course
PVcase Ground Mount is a powerful AutoCAD-based plugin for designing large-scale PV solar projects. This course will help you learn the ins and outs of the software so you can spend more time engineering and less time drafting. If you don't already have a PVcase Ground Mount license, a 1-month Educational license is included so you can follow along with the exercises.
Learning Objectives
- Understand how PVcase Ground Mount can help you in your design process.
- Learn about the requirements to start your PV project with PVcase Ground Mount.
- Understand the Frame & Park settings to generate a single or multiple PV areas.
- Perform the shading analysis and optimize your design.
- Analyze the required groundwork by performing a slope and collision analysis.
- Generate the complete Electrical design for a large-scale solar project.
- Understand the available export options in PVcase Ground Mount.
This course is included in this bundle
Course outline
10 modules
1 - 3 hours to complete
1:28 hours
of video lectures
Welcome • 2 assignments
Orientation Materials
Welcome • 2 assignments
Orientation Materials
This course is self-paced, so you don’t need to be logged in at any specific time. You can get started immediately after you enroll, and the course materials will remain in your account with minimum guaranteed access for 12 months (1 year) after enrollment. However, your PVcase Ground Mount Educational license will only be valid for 30 days, so make sure to get the most out of it.
- Set up email notifications and your student profile
- Introduce yourself on the discussion board
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Course Overview
Module 1 • 2 assignments
Course Overview
- Course structure and how to obtain your PVcase Ground Mount license
- About PVcase (01:39 minutes)
Module 2 • 3 assignments
Introduction
Module 2 • 3 assignments
Introduction
- What is Ground Mount (03:02 minutes)
- System Requirements (01:24 minutes)
- Your project (37 seconds)
Module 3 • 6 assignments
Starting a project
Module 3 • 6 assignments
Starting a project
- Importing Terrain from surveys (08:20 minutes)
- Evaluating terrain data (02:16 minutes)
- Draw Terrain Mesh (03:08 minutes)
- Draw Roads (01:14 minutes)
- Draw Shading Objects (01:10 minutes)
- Draw Restriction Zones (01:11 minutes)
Module 4 • 5 assignments
Mechanical design
Module 4 • 5 assignments
Mechanical design
- Frame & Park Settings (06:18 minutes)
- Generate a single PV area or multiple PV areas (03:59 minutes)
- Layers (Turn off, freeze, lock, and isolate layers) (03:55 minutes)
- Show piling function (01:27 minutes)
- Capacity iteration (02:24 minutes)
Module 5 • 3 assignments
Shading Analysis
Module 5 • 3 assignments
Shading Analysis
- Shading Analysis project file (55 seconds)
- Run a shading analysis (05:52 minutes)
- Shading optimization (02:28 minutes)
Module 6 • 5 assignments
Civil Analysis
Module 6 • 5 assignments
Civil Analysis
- Civil Analysis (01:07 minutes)
- Slope analysis (02:14 minutes)
- Collision analysis (01:59 minutes)
- Ground Grading (02:42 minutes)
- Layout Information - Bill of Materials (02:56 minutes)
Module 7 • 7 assignments
Electrical Design
Module 7 • 7 assignments
Electrical Design
- Electrical Design (51 seconds)
- Frame Grouping (04:08 minutes)
- Stringing (03:36 minutes)
- Electrical Devices (04:22 minutes)
- Color Coding (01:38 minutes)
- Generate Cabling (03:18 minutes)
- SLD and Bill of Materials (02:17 minutes)
Module 8 • 3 assignments
Export of Project Files
Module 8 • 3 assignments
Export of Project Files
- Export and Import (02:07 minutes)
- Export to PVSyst (01:29 minutes)
- Export to PVcase Yield (02:30 minutes)
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
Conclusion • 4 assignments
Feedback and Additional Resources
This is our last module but you still have access to the all of course materials for 12 months (1 year), so keep working and you'll be able to complete the course at your own pace. After your year of access expires you can optionally extend access with a HeatSpring Membership. Enjoy the course and keep in touch!
- 1 Year of Access to Course Materials
- Feedback: 2-minute Exit Survey
- Consider Joining as a HeatSpring Member
- Certificate of Completion: Request a Certificate
Instructor
Stefan Boehme / PVcase
Education Content Manager, PVcase
I am a professional who is passionate about training, visual design, and gamification. My aim is to provide exceptional value to clients and partners through my skills and expertise. I specialize in building strong relationships, creating captivating narratives for training programs, and utilizing data analytics to improve onboarding experiences. My track record...
Frequently asked questions
Full FAQHow does this course work?
This course is delivered entirely online. Pre-order courses are available on launch date. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. During your year of access the instructor will be in the course answering questions on the discussion board. After successfully completing the course, you will be able to generate a certificate of completion.
How long do I have access to the materials?
Students can pre-order but will not be able to access the full course materials or earn a certificate of completion until the course is fully published. Once the course is published any students who have pre-ordered will then have access to the course materials for one year (365 days). After the one year of access expires, access can be extended by joining as a HeatSpring member. A single membership extends access to course materials for all past enrollments.
Is there a certificate of completion?
Yes, when you complete this course you are eligible for a certificate of completion from HeatSpring. You can download your certificate as soon as you have completed all of the course requirements. Students can easily share their verified certificates on their LinkedIn profiles using our LinkedIn integration.
Can I register multiple people?
Yes, please visit our For Teams page to get a group discount.
How can I obtain a license for PVcase Ground Mount?
For this course, we offer a free educational license that is valid for 30 days. Get your free Educational License here and use the course code "PVcaseHeatSpring2025".
You will also need a valid license or trial version of AutoCAD in order to use PVcase. You can request their free 14-day trial here.
Can I get a license for other PVcase products?
Not for this course, but you can always reach out to us at PVcase.com to discuss your needs.
I have technical issues with PVcase. Can you help me?
You can find answers to most common questions in our technical documentation which is available in the Help Center.
Where can I find more information about specific PVcase Ground Mount features?
Our official Help Center hosts a wealth of knowledge about PVcase Ground Mount and our other products. Make sure to bookmark it for future reference when starting the course.
