Solar

Design and Installation

Batteries and Storage

Residential and Commercial Solar + Storage System Design

Christopher LaForge • Last updated 05/2022

4.0/5 (view ratings)

108 students

6 modules

CEUs

4:41 hours

136 assignments

Course description

This course provides in-depth analysis of the issues surrounding the use of energy storage systems (ESS) for residential and commercial PV applications up to 100 kW/150 kWh. It covers battery system design, specification, use and maintenance.

This is an intensive six-week training with solar legend Christopher LaForge. PV systems that employ batteries require significant design considerations. Whether you're using batteries for backup when the grid goes down or as part of a stand-alone, off-grid system, this course will help you determine the best storage technology and capacity for your projects.

The course was updated in 2022 to focus more directly on lithium-ion batteries.

Enroll in the class before Wednesday December 7th to join Christopher LaForge and the other students for our next live Q&A session.

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Continuing Education Units

Approved for: NABCEP Advanced Credit Hours, NABCEP NEC, NABCEP JTA, NABCEP RE Elective, NABCEP Building or Fire Code, NABCEP PV Associate Renewal.

Approved NABCEP CEU Hours

NABCEP Credential	Advanced Hours for Exam	Recertification CEU Hours	NEC	JTA	RE Elective	Building or Fire Code
PV Installation Professional (PVIP) Certification	40	30	6	30	12	2
PV Associate (PVA) Credential	0	12	0	0	0	0
PV Design Specialist (PVDS) Certification	24	30	6	18	12	2
PV Installer Specialist (PVIS) Certification	24	30	6	18	12	2
PV Technical Sales (PVTS) Certification	40	40	0	30	12	2
PV Commissioning & Maintenance Specialist (PVCMS) Certification	24	30	6	18	12	2

NABCEP Registered Provider

This course counts towards the training requirements for taking NABCEP professional certification exams and CEUs for renewing all certifications.

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Full course outline

Welcome - 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.

Orientation to the New - Updated - Course (02:59 minutes)
Set up email notifications and your student profile
Introduce yourself on the discussion board

Module 1 - Outlining Battery Types and Beginning the Design

Topics covered this week include: client qualification, basic battery types (lead acid, FLA, SLA), why we use flooded lead acid batteries, load profiling, and beginning system design.

Reading Assignment #1: Client Qualification - When do they NEED batteries? (.docx)
Batteries in Solar PV Systems (13:39 minutes)
Reading Assignment #2: Load Analysis - The Starting Point - What are you going to power? (.pdf)
Resource: Load Analysis Profile Template (.pdf)
Load Analysis (20:49 minutes)
Reading Assignment #3: LaForge Battery Basics (.pdf)
Resource: Battery Capacity Calculator (.xls)
Reading Assignment #4: Battery Sizing Tips for Stand-Alone PV Systems (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #5: How to Size a Deep Cycle Battery Bank
Resource: Lead Acid Battery Buyers Guide (.xls)
The coming Evolution to Lithium Ion and other battery types...
Take Week 1 Quiz

Module 2 - System Choices: Exotic Batteries, Load Analysis, Battery Bank Design, & Site Analysis

Topics covered this week include: exotic batteries - future of energy storage, expediting the load analysis (profile S), battery voltage choices, paralleling strings, battery wiring, large battery issues, and site analysis.

Exotics (10:54 minutes)
Reading Assignment #6 Nickel-metal hydride battery definition
Reading Assignment #6 - Windows users Nickel-metal hydride battery definition
Reading Assignment #7 Lithium-ion battery definition
Reading Assignment #7 - windows users Lithium-ion battery definition
Reading assignment #8 - Living with Lithiun-Ion Energy Storage (.pdf)
Lithium Ion - no longer exotic...
Resource - Load Analysis Consumption Excel Spreadsheet (.xls)
Using the "Consumption" Spreadsheet (17:55 minutes)
Resource - Battery containment Requirements for containing battery banks (.pdf)
Resource - Battery containment Typical commercial battery containment (.pdf)
Resource-NiMH Specifications of a typical NiMH battery (.pdf)
Resource-Lithium-Ion Promotional flyer for LiOn Battery (.pdf)
Resource-Lithium-Ion Specifications of a typical LiOn Battery (.pdf)
Resource-Example NiCad MSDS Exotic batteries have serious use issues-see the example (.pdf)
Voltage, Parallel strings, and Wiring (25:44 minutes)
Exercise 1: Battery Wiring diagram Print and complete the diagrams of Battery banks (.pdf)
How I review Manufacturer's Presentations (06:11 minutes)
Resource - Manufacturers battery presentation - MK Review the presentation - disregard AD content (.pdf)
Resource - Example of system schematic Review this example system design (.pdf)
Exercise 2: Battery Wiring diagram Print and complete the diagrams of more Battery banks (.pdf)
Site Survey - issues for systems with batteries (07:57 minutes)
WEEK 2 QUIZ: 19 Questions
Exercise 1: Diagram Key Review the correct wiring for exercise 1 with this Key (.pdf)
Exercise 2: Diagram Key Review the correct wiring for exercise 2 with this Key (.pdf)

Module 3 - Specification, Design, and Detailing Components

Topics covered this week include: battery bank design and wiring, on-grid vs. off-grid design differences, The Energy Master Design Program, and component detailing for charge controllers and inverters.

Introduction to Week Three - (04:35 minutes)
Resource - Grid-tie Battery Back-up Example of GTBB components (.pdf)
Resource - Grid-tie Battery Back-up 2nd Example of GTBB Components (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #9 Component Integration - MidNite In-depth analysis - disregard AD content (.pdf)
Resource - System Design Spreadsheet Energy Master Excel Spreadsheet - for Lead Acid Batteries (.xls)
Resource - System Design Spreadsheet - Energy Master Excel Spreadsheet - for LiOn Batteries (80%) (.xls)
Resource - System Design Spreadsheet - Energy Master Excel Spreadsheet - for LiOn Batteries (100%) (.xls)
Using the "Energy Master" Spreadsheet (30:24 minutes) Preview
Exercise 3: Array Wiring diagram Print and complete the diagrams of Array to Combiner Box wiring (.pdf)
Resource - Charge Controller String sizing tool Practice array sizing for MidNite Solar's Classic Charge controllers.
Resource - Manufacturer's Presentations-OutBack
Resource - Manufacturer - Schneider's Solar installers Handbook Review the Handbook for Installers by Schneider Electric. (.pdf)
Resource - Manufacturer's Presentation-Magnum Review presentation - disregard AD content (.pdf)
Resource - Manufacturer's Presentation-Morningstar Review presentation - disregard AD content (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #10 - XW Installation and Menu Overview Read through the overview carefully noting the extensive menus (.pdf)
AEE's Solar+Storage Comparison Webinar.
Exercise 4: Array Wiring diagram Print and complete the diagrams of Array to combiner Box wiring (.pdf)
Resource tip - 2 Using the Home Power Articles in the course... (01:45 minutes)
Reading Assignment #11 - Read through "Choosing the best batteries" (.pdf)
Manufacturer's Interviews - Generac PWRcell (48:13 minutes)
WEEK 3 QUIZ: 19 Questions
Exercise 3: Diagram Key Review the correct wiring for exercise 3 with this Key (.pdf)
Exercise 4: Diagram Key Review the correct wiring for exercise 4 with this Key (.pdf)
Week Three Review - (37 seconds)

Module 4 - Balancing System Components

Topics covered this week include: The proper blend - loads/PV/batteries/back-up generation, diagramming the overall system, DC coupling - the tradition, Case Study: Kroska, AC coupling - the innovation, component detailing, and AC coupled inverters.

Introduction to Week Four (01:51 minutes) Preview
Exercise 5: DC system wiring diagram Print and complete the diagram of this simple Dc system (.pdf)
Equipment Sizing Use and Maintenance (32:12 minutes)
Stand-alone Design article Review this article on off-grid system design (.docx)
Reading Assignment: Battery Based Inverters (.docx)
Resource - Inverter Buyer's Guide Review this guide - an inverter buyers guide - scroll down to find inverters that work with storage.
Reading assignment: Read this article on Grid-intertied systems with battery back-up. (.pdf)
Exercise 6: DC+AC system wiring Diagram Print and complete the diagram of this System including an inverter (.pdf)
Resource - Manufacturer's Presentation - Trojan Review presentation - disregard AD content (.pdf)
Resource - Manufacturer's Presentation - Rolls Surrette Review presentation - disregard AD content (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #12a Familiarize yourself with The XW equipment 1) Inverter (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #12b 2) Power System Installation (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #12c 3) MPPT 80 600 Charge control installation (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #12d 4) MPPT 80 600 Charge Control Operation (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #12e 5) System Control Panel (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #13a Familiarize yourself with the Magnum equipment 1) inverter (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #13b 2) Magnum Panel (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #13c 3) Remote Control (.pdf)
Exercise 7: DC+AC system Wiring Diagram Print and complete this final diagram exercise (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #14 Read this AC Coupling White Paper (.pdf)
WEEK 4 QUIZ: 23 Questions
Exercise 5: Diagram Key Review the correct wiring for exercise 5 with this key (.pdf)
Exercise 6: Diagram Key Review the correct wiring for exercise 6 with this key (.pdf)
Exercise 7: Diagram Key Review the correct wiring for exercise 7 with this key (.pdf)
Week Four Review (01:02 minutes)

Module 5 - Components: Continued Use and Maintenance

Topics this week include: Reviewing additional components (combiner boxes, charge controls, and appliances) and finalizing the design by component integration, system labeling and other code issues, aesthetics of design, and important considerations for use and annual maintenance.

Introduction to Week Five (01:13 minutes)
Resource - PV Combiner Box Review this article - choosing a combiner box.
Resource - Combiner Box Specifications - MidNite Review this Product Line by MidNite Solar (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #15d 4) Battery monitor - Flexnet DC (.pdf)
Resource - Charge Controller Review this blog - reviews of good charge controllers
Resource - Battery Monitoring Compare battery monitoring tools at this site.
Reading - Battery Monitoring 2 Review this presentation on battery monitoring and maintenance.
Reading Assignment #15a Familiarize yourself with the OutBack equipment 1) Inverter-off grid (.pdf) (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #15b 2) Inverter - grid-tie (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #15c 3) Charge Controller - Flexmax (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #15e 5) Flexware - ICS Plus combiner boxes (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #15f Review the FlexPower Radian quick start guide. (.pdf)
Review this article on Bonding and Grounding in PV systems (.pdf)
Resource - Off-Grid Appliances Review this article on choosing the correct appliances for Off-Grid applications
Reading Assignment #17a Familiarize yourself with the LinkPRO amp-hour meter installation (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #17b Familiarize yourself with the LinkPRO operation (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #18a Familiarize yourself with the TRI-METRIC Amp-hour meter Installation (.pdf)
Reading assignment #18b Familiarize yourself with the TRI-METRIC operation (.pdf)
PV Watts - practice using the NREL production and cost Calculator
Creating your Capstone Project (05:12 minutes)
WEEK 5 QUIZ 25 Questions
Week Five Review (02:43 minutes)

Module 6 - Summary and Capstone Project

This week you'll tie everything together by finishing your capstone project to demonstrate what you've learned. The purpose is to get practice designing battery-based PV systems.

Introduction to Week Six (03:15 minutes)
Reading Assignment #19 Ground-Fault Protection, note the difference for battery systems (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #20 Workmanship - note Battery issues (.pdf)
Reading Assignment #21 Permit/Inspection Checklist - note Battery issues (.pdf)
Code and Compliance - Overview and Update (18:39 minutes)
Reading Assignment #22 Labeling and the NEC - 2017 article and 2020 update - Poster (.pdf)
Resource - Required Labels Visual guide to required labels for PV systems - 2020 (.pdf)
Resource - Safety for PV Installations Review this OSEIA guide to Safety issues for PV Installations (.pdf)
Resource: OSHA Web Page for the Solar Industry
Resource: Solar ABC's web page on Building Codes
Commissioning for Small Scale Photovoltaic Systems with Energy Storage... (07:15 minutes)
Review this document On Commissioning - produced for the California Energy Commission - Energy Storage Review (.pdf)
Comparing LiOn and Lead Acid Batteries Today... (14:10 minutes)
Capstone - Example Consumption Spreadsheet - Off Grid (.pdf)
Capstone - Example Energy Master Spreadsheet - Off Grid (.pdf)
Capstone - Example Cost Estimate - Off Grid (.pdf)
Capstone - Example Project Diagram - Off Grid (.pdf)
Capstone - Example PV Watts Calculator - Off Grid (.pdf)
Upload your Capstone Project Documents
GNS Mobile Unit Workshops... (.pdf)
Week Six Review (01:53 minutes)

Conclusion - 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

Christopher LaForge

Certified Master Trainer (IREC), NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Professional - Emeritus , Great Northern Solar

Christopher LaForge is the CEO of Great Northern Solar and a NABCEP certified photovoltaic installer-emeritus. He has been designing, specifying, and installing systems since 1988. He has been an instructor with the MREA since 1993 teaching Advanced Photovoltaic design and installation and is an ISPQ Affiliated Master Trainer. In 2016 he was named IREC's Master Trainer... Learn more

Ratings

4.0

18 reviews

108 students have taken this course

by Austin J 06/19/2022

by Samuel D 04/06/2022

by Peter Hubbard, Founder, Georgia Center for Energy Solutions 02/26/2023

Designing a residential solar + storage system is a fundamental tool in decarbonization and a skill everyone should have.

by Landon Cason, President / Owner, Green Wave Solar 02/18/2021

I would highly recommend this course. The instructor is incredibly knowledgeable when it comes to battery storage. I wish there were more of a focus on Lithium Ion Batteries, but the knowledge provided in this course is timeless.

by Josh C 02/09/2022

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$995

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Frequently asked questions

How does this course work?

You can begin this online course instantly upon enrollment. This 6 module course is delivered entirely online. This course is self-paced and you can set your own schedule to complete the materials. You can begin the lecture videos and other course materials as soon as you enroll. 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 get unlimited access to the course materials as soon as they enroll and for one year (365 days) after enrollment. Rewatch videos and review assignments as many times as you want. View updates the instructor makes to the course as the industry advances. Return to your course anytime with online access from anywhere in the world. 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 HeatSpring for Groups page to get a group discount.

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